How to Pick a Vet Tech School near Atlanta Georgia
Realizing your lifelong goal of working with and caring for pets by enrolling in a vet school near Atlanta GA might at first seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the proper training so that you can be successful as a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper choice? Many potential students start their due diligence process by searching for schools that are close to their residences. After they have found some local colleges, they find out which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as internship programs and accreditation should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you ought to be asking the veterinary tech programs you are evaluating before you make an ultimate decision. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the different duties of vet assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Responsibilities of a Vet Assistant and Tech
One of the first decisions that you will need to make is if you wish to train as a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination might be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your training, but the principal factor will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants share in common is that they both work under the direct supervision of a licensed and practicing veterinarian. And while there are many functions that they can carry out within the Atlanta GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose health issues, or conduct surgical procedures. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technicians and technologists that work outside of the standard veterinarian practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training prerequisites for each specialty.
- Vet Assistants in most cases will have undergone a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by completing a certificate program at a community college or trade school near Atlanta GA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Usually they are not involved with more involved activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their regular responsibilities may include working at the front desk, cleaning and preparing exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during exams.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training compared to assistants and generally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a fashion the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from vet assistants is that they are included in more involved tasks, such as assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states presently mandate that vet techs pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are similar to vet technicians and basically perform the same work functions. They are mandated to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires 4 years. So the main distinction between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, increased salaries and potential management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Atlanta GA area research facilities as well.
Online Veterinary Courses
An alternative that may be a solution for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while going to vet college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered via the internet, students can attend on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The syllabus is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that part can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at a local Atlanta GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in many instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenditures, for instance for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional classroom courses. Just make sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting organization. With the online courses and the clinical training, everything is included for a comprehensive education. So if you are dedicated enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online vet tech or assistant program may be the perfect option for you.
Things to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Degree Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to obtain, and if you prefer to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, vocational and technical schools in Georgia as well as across the USA, you must ask some qualifying questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we mentioned in our opening, many future students start by focusing on location and tuition expense. But we have already mentioned other significant qualifiers, such as internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to choose a school that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other factors are addressed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Atlanta GA vet assistant and tech programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary Program Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the veterinary technician or assistant program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As previously stated, among the most highly respected is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a thorough screening process that ensures you will obtain a quality education. Also, accreditation is necessary if you are requesting a student loan or financial assistance, since a large number of programs are not obtainable for non-accredited programs. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited school is frequently a requirement for employment for a number of Atlanta GA veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinary college or vocational school and program you enroll in must have an exceptional reputation within the vet field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the colleges you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other tips include looking on 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 complaints or violations involving your specific schools. As a final recommendation, call some Atlanta GA veterinarians that you may wish to work for after you go through your training. Ask what they think of your school selections. They might even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet technician or assistant is to work in a medical environment. Ask if the programs you are considering have internship programs arranged with local veterinarians, vet practices or hospitals. Most veterinary medicine programs require practical training and a large number provide it by means of internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the practical training, but an internship can also help build connections in the local Atlanta GA veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Provided? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant college can be difficult without the assistance of a job placement program. First, ask what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate may indicate that the instructors were unqualified to teach the syllabus or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the Atlanta GA college has an exceptional reputation within the veterinary community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate could mean that the training is not highly regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are bigger, you may get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Atlanta GA schools you are considering what their classroom teacher to student ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between students and instructors. Ask for evaluations from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the instructors and find out what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Okay, we previously discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the subject. If you are going to commute to your veterinary technician classes from work or home, you have to make certain 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 drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Atlanta GA college is located near or in a large city. In addition, if you do opt to attend a school in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees especially for community and state colleges. On the other hand, attending classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s important that you determine if the Georgia vet colleges you are evaluating offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For example, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others might only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are available near Atlanta GA prior to enrolling. Also, find out if you can make-up classes that you might miss because of work, illness or family responsibilities. You may discover that an online college is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Veterinary Technician?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary job, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming a vet tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.Choose the Best Veterinary Technician Training Program near Atlanta GA
Choosing the appropriate veterinary technician school is a crucial first step to starting a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Students thinking about veterinary tech or assistant programs must make their determination based on a number of key issues. Vet techs, assistants and technologists work in animal hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative duties and support the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have discussed, it’s essential 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 colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by picking the best program, you can reach your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, technician or technologist in Atlanta GA.
A Little Bit About Atlanta GA
Atlanta
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city of the State of Georgia in the United States. With an estimated 2016 population of 472,522,[12] it is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, home to 5.7 million people and the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the United States.[6] Atlanta is the seat of Fulton County and a small portion of the city extends eastward into DeKalb County.
Atlanta was founded as a transportation hub at the intersection of two railroad lines in 1837. After being mostly burned to the ground during the American Civil War, the city rose from its ashes to become a national center of commerce and the unofficial capital of the "New South". During the 1960s, Atlanta became a major organizing center of the Civil Rights Movement, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph David Abernathy, and many other locals playing major roles in the movement's leadership. In the decades following, the city earned a reputation as "too busy to hate" for the relatively progressive views of its citizens and leaders compared to other cities in the Deep South.[13] During the Modern era, Atlanta has attained international prominence as a major air transportation hub, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being by far the world's busiest airport since 1998.[14][15][16][17]
Atlanta is rated a "beta(+)" world city that exerts a moderate impact upon global commerce, finance, research, technology, education, media, art, and entertainment.[18] It ranks 38th among world cities and 10th in the nation with a gross domestic product of $320Â billion.[19][20] Atlanta's economy is considered diverse, with dominant sectors that include logistics, professional and business services, media operations, and information technology.[21] Atlanta has topographic features that include rolling hills and dense tree coverage, earning it the nickname of "the city in a forest."[22]Revitalization of Atlanta's neighborhoods, initially spurred by the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, has intensified in the 21st century, altering the city's demographics, politics, and culture.[23][24]
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