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Vet Tech Schools near Marietta GA 30006

How to Pick a Veterinary Assistant Program near Marietta Georgia

Marietta GA vet tech holding dog during examRealizing your long term aspiration of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a vet school near Marietta GA may at first feel like a challenging endeavor. After all, you must find and enroll in a program that will furnish the proper training so that you can succeed as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. But just how do you go about assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the right selection? Many future students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are close to their residences. Once they have found some local colleges, they ascertain which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are important considerations when evaluating vet tech schools, they are by no means the only important ones when making your comparisons. Factors such as accreditation and internship programs need to be evaluated as well. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final choice. We have furnished several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll discuss the varied roles of vet assistants and techs and the training options available.

The Role of a Veterinary Assistant and Technician

Marietta GA vet assistant taking vital signs of puppyAmong the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your preference might be predicated on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your education, but the primary factor will undoubtedly be which specialty appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they each work under the immediate direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And even though there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Marietta GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only provide support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the typical vet practice, such as for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialization.

  • Vet Assistants in almost all cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a vet clinic or hospital, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Marietta GA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved undertakings, such as assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
  • Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and typically obtain a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their fundamental job function is to assist veterinarians with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they differ from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex activities, for example assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states presently require veterinary technicians pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
  • Vet Technologists are similar to veterinary technicians and essentially perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually takes four years to complete. So the only real distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more work opportunities, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.

Vet techs and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Marietta GA area research facilities as well.

Online Vet Training Programs

attending vet tech school online in Marietta GAAn approach that might be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full-time while attending veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are provided through the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since many veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can normally be carried out as an internship or work study program at a local Marietta GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances reduce the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary expenses, for example for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom programs. Just confirm that the online school that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online veterinary tech or assistant school may be the ideal choice for you.

Things to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Programs

cat wearing cone after vet surgery in Marietta GAAt this point you should have determined which veterinarian certificate or degree that you want to obtain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and trade schools in Georgia and across the Country, you must ask some relevant questions to help fine tune your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many prospective students start by focusing on location and the cost of tuition. But we have already pointed out other essential qualifiers, which include internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to select a school that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other factors are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the Marietta GA veterinary technician and assistant colleges that you are reviewing.

Is the Veterinary College Accredited?  It’s imperative that you make sure that the vet assistant or tech program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As previously mentioned, one of the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Trade schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a rigorous screening process that verifies you will obtain a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a degree or certificate from an accredited college is often a precondition for employment for a number of Marietta GA veterinarian clinics and hospitals.

What is the College’s Reputation?  The veterinary college or vocational school and program you select should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school ranking websites and contacting the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or infractions concerning your targeted schools. As a final pointer, call some Marietta GA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Find out what they think of your school selections. They may even recommend one or more colleges not on your list.

Are there Internship Programs?  The best way to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with regional veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial as far as the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop connections in the local Marietta GA veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.

Is there a Job Placement Program?  Finding a job after graduating from a vet technician or assistant college can be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A lower rate might indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that some students were unhappy with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the Marietta GA school has an excellent reputation within the veterinary community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may signify that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is a failure at placing students.

How Big are the Classes?  If the classes are bigger, you most likely will receive little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Marietta GA programs you are researching what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the instructors and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.

Where is the School Located?  Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from home or work, you have to make sure that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the commute during rush hour traffic, especially if the Marietta GA campus is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do choose to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the necessity for travel.

Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule?  And last, it’s essential that you ascertain if the Georgia vet colleges you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to go to classes in the morning or later in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available near Marietta GA before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss due to illness, work or family responsibilities. You might find that an online program is the ideal solution to fit your vet training into your active life.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Veterinary Technician?

When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask veterinary applicants is "What made you pick veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being a vet assistant, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent vet tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Vet Tech College near Marietta GA

Picking the right veterinary technician college is a crucial first step to beginning a gratifying career providing treatment and care for pets and livestock. Future students looking into veterinary assistant or tech schools need to make their decision based on multiple key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly take on administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, it’s very important that you choose a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the field. This goes for vet tech online schools as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final decision. And by picking the ideal college, you can reach your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Marietta GA.

A Little Bit About Marietta GA

Marietta, Georgia

Marietta is located in central Cobb County, Georgia, United States,[4] and is the county's seat and largest city.

As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 56,579. The 2013 estimate is 59,089, making it one of Atlanta's largest suburbs. Marietta is the fourth largest of the principal cities (by population) of the Atlanta metropolitan statistical area.[5][6]

The origin of the name is uncertain. It is believed that the city was named for Mary Cobb, the wife of U.S. Senator and Superior Court judge Thomas Willis Cobb. Judge Cobb is the namesake of the county.[7]

 

 

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