How to Pick a Vet Assistant Program near Lithonia Georgia
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a veterinary program near Lithonia GA may initially feel like an overwhelming task. After all, you need to search for and enroll in a program that will deliver the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you approach reviewing and comparing schools so that you can make the best choice? Many potential students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their residences. After they have found some area colleges, they find out which ones have the lowest tuition and focus on those. Although location and expense are significant concerns when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your comparisons. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs need to be considered 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 choice. We have furnished several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll go over the various duties of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Job of a Vet Assistant and Technician
Among the first decisions that you will need to make is whether you plan 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 commit to 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 direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And even though there are numerous functions that they can carry out within the Lithonia GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe medicines, diagnose conditions, or conduct surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed vet. There are technologists and technicians that work exclusive of the standard vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and training requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in most cases will have completed a formal training program, either as an intern or apprentice in a practice, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Lithonia GA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the vets and vet techs in the execution of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complicated activities, for example assisting with surgeries. A few of their usual responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or handling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians go through more advanced training in contrast to assistants and usually acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the vet counterparts of medical nurses, since their basic job duty is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more complicated tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or providing medicine. All states currently require veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are mandated to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which generally requires four years to complete. Therefore the only real difference between a vet technician and a technologist is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are also mandated to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists may specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or urgent care. Many may acquire certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Lithonia GA area research facilities also.
Online Vet Programs
An alternative that may make sense for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full-time while going to veterinary college is to enroll in an online training program. Because the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using various methods, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet tech and technologist degrees require clinical training, that segment can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at a local Lithonia GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for example for traveling and study supplies, can be cheaper compared to more traditional 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 courses and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician or assistant school may be the perfect option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technologist Training Programs
At this point you should have decided on which veterinary certificate or degree that you want to earn, and if you want to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Georgia and across the Country, you need to ask some relevant questions to help narrow down your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many potential students start by concentrating on location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously mentioned other important qualifiers, for example accreditation and internship programs. And naturally you need to select a school that offers the specialty and degree that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Lithonia GA veterinary assistant and technician colleges that you are considering.
Is the Veterinary College Accredited? It’s important that you make sure that the vet technician or assistant college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency. As earlier stated, among the most highly regarded is the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Vocational schools and colleges that are accredited by the AVMA have undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a superior education. Also, accreditation is important if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a requirement for employment for many Lithonia GA veterinarian practices and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The vet vocational school or college and program you enroll in must have an excellent reputation within the veterinarian field. You can begin your due diligence by asking the colleges you are interested in for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include checking with online school rating websites and checking with the school’s accrediting organizations 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 suggestion, contact some Lithonia GA veterinarians that you might want to work for after you receive your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They may even recommend some colleges not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective means to get practical hands on experience as a vet tech or assistant is to work in a professional environment. Find out if the programs you are looking at have internship programs arranged with regional veterinarians, vet clinics or hospitals. Almost all veterinary medicine programs require clinical training and many furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship may also help establish relationships in the local Lithonia GA vet community and assist in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Placement Offered? Searching for a job after graduating from a veterinary tech or assistant college may be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To start with, find out what the graduation rates are for the programs you are considering. A low rate may indicate that the instructors were ineffective at teaching the syllabus or that a number of students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, check that the schools have a job placement program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate might indicate that the Lithonia GA school has an outstanding reputation within the vet community and has a significant network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job placement program is ineffective at placing students.
How Big are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will get little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Solicit from the Lithonia GA schools you are considering what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You may also want to attend a few classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between instructors and students. Get feedback from students relating to the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and find out what their qualifications are as well as their methods of teaching.
Where is the School Located? Okay, we already covered location, but there are a few more points to consider on the subject. If you are planning to drive to your vet assistant classes from work or home, you need to make certain that the commuting time is compatible with your schedule. For instance, driving during the weekend to investigate the route won’t be the same as the drive during rush hour traffic, especially if the Lithonia GA college is located in or close by a larger city. Also, if you do decide to attend a college in another state or even outside of your County of residence, there may be increased tuition fees particularly for community and state colleges. Of course taking classes online might be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and reduce the necessity for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you find out if the Georgia veterinarian programs you are exploring offer class times flexible enough to accommodate 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 class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make sure that the class times you need are offered near Lithonia GA prior to enrolling. In addition, determine if you can make up classes that you might miss as a result of work, sickness or family issues. You may discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your veterinary education into your active life.
Why Did You Desire to Be a Vet Assistant?
When getting ready to interview for a veterinary job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask veterinary prospects is "What drove you to decide on veterinary care as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming a vet assistant, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to veterinary care, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional vet tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.Select the Ideal Vet Tech Degree Program near Lithonia GA
Choosing the ideal veterinary assistant or tech school is a critical first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for animals. Future students thinking about veterinary tech or assistant colleges need to make their selection based on multiple key factors. Veterinary assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They commonly handle administrative responsibilities and assist the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have covered, it’s very important that you pick a veterinary medicine program that is both accredited and has an outstanding reputation within the field. This goes for online vet tech colleges as well. By asking the questions included in our checklist for evaluating schools, you will be able to narrow down your alternatives so that you can make your final choice. And by selecting the right program, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a veterinary assistant, tech or technologist in Lithonia GA.
A Little Bit About Lithonia GA
Lithonia, Georgia
Lithonia is a city in eastern DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The city's population was 1,924 at the 2010 census.[4] Lithonia is in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
"Lithonia" means "city/town of stone". Lithonia is in the heart of the Georgian granite-quarrying and viewing region, hence the name of the town, from the Greek λίθος lithos, for stone. The huge nearby granite dome, Stone Mountain, is composed largely of a rock called Lithonia gneiss, a form of granite. The area has a history of rock quarries. The mines were served by the Georgia Railroad and Atlanta, Stone Mountain & Lithonia Railway. Some of the rock quarries have been converted to parkland and the railines to rail-trail.
Lithonia is one of the gateways to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.[5]
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