How to Find the Right Veterinary Technician Training near Newnan Georgia
Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a veterinarian college near Newnan GA might initially feel like a daunting undertaking. After all, you have to find and enroll in a college that will provide the necessary 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 correct choice? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for colleges that are close to their residences. When they have located some area schools, they determine which ones have the cheapest tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are significant considerations when comparing vet tech schools, they are not the only critical ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered also. The point is that there are questions you need to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make a final decision. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we discuss them we’ll go over the different roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Assistant and Technician
One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be dependent on the amount of time and money that you have to invest in your training, but the primary determiner will probably be which specialty interests you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they all work under the direct direction of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many duties that they can carry out within the Newnan GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or perform surgical procedures. In those areas they can only furnish assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard vet practice, such as for animal shelters, zoos or police departments. Let’s take a look at the duties and education requirements for each specialization.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have gone through a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by finishing a certificate program at a trade school or community college near Newnan GA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet technicians in the performance of their duties. Normally they are not involved with more complicated tasks, for instance assisting with surgeries. Some of their usual duties may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more extensive training compared to assistants and usually obtain a 2 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 general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, such as assisting with surgeries or administering medicine. All states currently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing exam for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet techs and basically carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which usually requires 4 years. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career options, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Some may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Newnan GA area research facilities as well.
Online Vet Programs
An alternative that may be a solution for those with a busy lifestyle or who are working full-time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that part can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Newnan GA veterinarian practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and secondary expenses, such as for commuting and study materials, can be lower compared to more standard classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you select is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online classes and the clinical training, everything is furnished for a comprehensive education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant mode, an online vet technician or assistant program may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Veterinary Assistant and Technician Programs
By now you should have decided on which veterinarian credential that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Georgia as well as across the USA, you must ask some important questions to help narrow down your list of options. As we discussed in our opening, many prospective students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you need to select a college that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other factors are reviewed in the list of questions that you need to ask the Newnan GA veterinary assistant and technician programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s imperative that you verify that the veterinary assistant or technician school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier 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 gone through an extensive screening process that ensures you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since numerous programs are not available for non-accredited schools. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited college is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Newnan GA veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the Program’s Reputation? The veterinarian trade school or college and program you choose must have an excellent reputation within the veterinary community. You can start your due diligence by asking the colleges you are looking at for testimonials from the employers in their job placement network. Other suggestions include looking on internet school ranking websites and checking with the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or infractions involving your targeted schools. As a final recommendation, phone some Newnan GA veterinary clinics that you may want to work for after you receive your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are there Internship Programs? The most effective means to obtain practical hands on experience as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. The majority of veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local Newnan GA veterinarian community and aid in the search for employment after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Finding a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant program can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. To start with, ask what the graduation rates are for the colleges you are evaluating. A low rate could signify that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the course of study or that some students were disappointed with the program and dropped out. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may indicate that the Newnan GA program has an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A low rate may mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job placement program is a failure at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you most likely will get little or no individualized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Newnan GA programs you are looking at what their class teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on a couple of classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and teachers. Ask for evaluations from students regarding the quality of instruction. Also, talk with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the School Located? Yes, we already discussed location, but there are several more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your vet assistant classes from home or work, you have to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For example, driving during the weekend to check out the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Newnan GA school is located in or near 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 higher tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. Of course attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s important that you find out if the Georgia veterinary colleges you are looking at offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, a number of students continue working full time and can only attend classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others might only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered near Newnan GA prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make up classes that you may miss due to illness, work or family emergencies. You might find that an online school is the best solution to fit your veterinary education into your active life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Tech?
When preparing to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to select veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being a vet assistant, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Best Vet Technician Program near Newnan GA
Picking the appropriate vet technician college is a crucial first step to starting a gratifying career delivering care and treatment for pets and livestock. Students considering veterinary assistant or tech colleges must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative responsibilities and support the veterinarian with the animals when needed. As we have covered, it’s imperative that you select a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an excellent reputation within the profession. This goes for online vet tech programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can make your final decision. And by choosing the right college, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Newnan GA.
A Little Bit About Newnan GA
Newnan, Georgia
Newnan is a city in Metro Atlanta and the county seat of Coweta County, Georgia, approximately 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Atlanta. The population was 41,109 at the 2010 census,[4] up from 16,242 in 2000, for a growth rate of 153.1% over that decade.
Newnan was established as county seat of Coweta County (replacing the defunct town of Bullsboro) in 1828 and was named for North Carolinian General Daniel Newnan. It quickly became a prosperous magnet for lawyers, doctors, other professionals, and merchants. Much of Newnan's prosperity was due to its thriving cotton industry, which relied on slavery.
Newnan was largely untouched by the Civil War due to its status as a hospital city (for Confederate troops), and as a result still features much antebellum architecture. Celebrated architect Kennon Perry designed many of the town's 20th century homes. During the Atlanta Campaign, Confederate cavalry defeated Union forces at the nearby Battle of Brown's Mill.
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