How to Select a Vet Tech School near Statenville Georgia
Fulfilling your long term dream of working with and helping animals by enrolling in a veterinarian school near Statenville GA may initially seem like an overwhelming endeavor. After all, you have to locate and enroll in a program that will provide the necessary training to ensure that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you go about analyzing and contrasting schools so that you can make the correct choice? Many potential students begin their due diligence process by searching for campuses that are near their homes. When they have identified some area colleges, they ascertain which ones have the most affordable tuition and focus on those. Although location and cost are important factors when evaluating vet tech schools, they are not the only important ones when making your evaluations. Qualifications such as accreditation and internship programs should be evaluated also. The main idea is that there are questions you should be asking the veterinary tech programs you are reviewing before you make a final selection. We have provided several in this article to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various roles of veterinary techs and assistants and the training options offered.
The Function of a Veterinary Assistant and Tech
Among the first decisions that you will have to make is whether you plan to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your decision may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to devote to your training, 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 both work under the immediate direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous duties that they can carry out within the Statenville GA veterinary clinic or hospital, they can’t prescribe drugs, diagnose health issues, or carry out surgeries. In those areas they can only furnish support to a licensed veterinarian. There are technologists and technicians that work away from the conventional vet practice, for example for zoos, animal shelters or police departments. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education prerequisites for each specialty.
- 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 graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Statenville GA. As the name implies, their job function is to assist the veterinarians and vet technicians in the completion of their duties. Generally they are not associated with more complex activities, for example assisting with surgical procedures. Some of their typical duties may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning examination rooms and equipment, or controlling animals during examinations.
- Vet Technicians undergo more advanced training compared to assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, preferably from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinary counterparts of medical nurses, since their general job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they vary from veterinary assistants is that they are engaged in more complex tasks, for example assisting with surgical procedures or administering medicine. All states presently mandate that veterinary techs pass a credentialing examination for either certification, registration or licensing.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially carry out the same job functions. They are required to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes 4 years. So the only real difference between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s more advanced level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more career opportunities, higher salaries and possible management positions. They are additionally mandated to pass a credentialing exam for either licensing, registration or certification.
Vet techs and technologists may specialize in areas such as internal medicine, anesthesia or emergency care. Many may obtain certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in labs or Statenville GA area research facilities also.
Vet Online Training Programs
An option that might be a solution for those with a hectic lifestyle or who are working full time while going to veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are offered by means of the internet, students can attend on their own timetable wherever a computer is available. The educational program is taught using multiple methods, including slide shows, videos and live streaming webinars. And since the majority of veterinary technician and technologist degrees require clinical training, that portion can usually be completed as an internship or work study program at an area Statenville GA veterinary clinic or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, can in some instances decrease the cost of your education. Tuition and supplementary expenses, for instance for travel and study supplies, may be cheaper compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just be sure that the program that you enroll in is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally recognized accrediting agency. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is provided for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more independent mode, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technician Schools
At this point you probably have determined which veterinarian certificate or degree that you want to attain, and if you want to study online or attend a college on campus. Since there are a large number of veterinary community colleges, trade and vocational schools in Georgia as well as across the USA, you need to ask some qualifying questions in order to fine tune your list of alternatives. As we discussed in our opening, many future students start by prioritizing location and tuition expense. But we have already pointed out other important qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And obviously you need to choose a program that offers the degree and specialty that you would like to earn. These and other qualifications are reviewed in the checklist of questions that you should ask the Statenville GA veterinary technician and assistant programs that you are looking at.
Is the Veterinary School Accredited? It’s important that you verify that the veterinary assistant or technician program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. 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 undergone a demanding screening process that verifies you will receive a quality education. Also, accreditation is essential if you are applying for a student loan or financial aid, since many programs are not available for non-accredited colleges. And finally, having a certificate or degree from an accredited program is in many cases a precondition for employment for a number of Statenville GA veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the School’s Reputation? The veterinarian college or vocational school and program you enroll in should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary community. You can begin your due diligence by asking the schools you are looking at for references from the employers in their job placement network. Other pointers include looking on internet school rating websites and speaking with the school’s accrediting organizations as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing authority if there have been any grievances or violations regarding your targeted schools. As a final suggestion, phone some Statenville GA vet clinics that you may wish to work for after you get your training. Ask what they think of your school choices. They might even recommend some programs not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The best means to obtain clinical hands on experience as a vet assistant or technician is to work in a professional setting. Ask if the programs you are reviewing have internship programs established with area veterinarians, vet hospitals or practices. Most veterinary medicine programs mandate clinical training and a large number furnish it through internships. Not only will the experience be invaluable relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local Statenville GA veterinarian community and aid in the search for a position after graduation.
Is Job Assistance Offered? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech or assistant college can be difficult without the help of a job placement program. To begin with, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are considering. A low rate could mean that the teachers were unqualified to teach the curriculum or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and quit. Next, confirm that the colleges have a job placement program and ask what their placement rates are. A high placement rate may indicate that the Statenville GA school has an exceptional reputation within the veterinarian community and has a considerable network of contacts for student placements. A lower rate could indicate that the training is not highly thought of 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 probably will receive little or no personalized instruction from the teachers. Request from the Statenville GA programs you are looking at what their classroom student to teacher ratios are. You might also want to sit in on some classes (if practical) to observe the interaction between students and instructors. Get 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 College Located? Yes, we previously talked about location, but there are a few more points to make on the topic. If you are going to commute to your veterinary assistant classes from home or work, you have to make sure that the driving time fits into 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 Statenville GA campus is located near or in 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 higher tuition charges particularly for state and community colleges. On the other hand, attending online classes might be an alternative that will provide you with more flexibility and minimize the necessity for travel.
Do the Classes Fit Your Schedule? And finally, it’s imperative that you determine if the Georgia vet schools you are evaluating offer class times flexible enough to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or at night. Some may only be able to go to class in the morning or later in the afternoon. Make certain that the class times you need are available near Statenville GA prior to enrolling. Also, determine if you can make-up classes that you may miss as a result of work, sickness or family emergencies. You might discover that an online school is the ideal way to fit your vet training into your busy life.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Vet Technician?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask veterinary candidates is "What made you choose veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being a veterinary technician, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to veterinary care, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Choose the Ideal Veterinary Technologist School near Statenville GA
Selecting the ideal veterinary technician college is an important first step to starting a fulfilling career delivering care and treatment for animals. Potential students looking into vet assistant or tech schools need to make their determination based on a number of key issues. Vet assistants, techs and technologists are employed in vet clinics, animal hospitals and animal shelters. They typically handle administrative tasks and assist the veterinarian with the animal patients as needed. As we have covered, it’s essential that you enroll in 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 provided in our checklist for assessing schools, you will be able to reduce your choices so that you can make your final choice. And by choosing the ideal school, you can achieve your goal of becoming a veterinary technician, assistant or technologist in Statenville GA.
A Little Bit About Statenville GA
Statenville, Georgia
Statenville is an unincorporated community in and the county seat of Echols County, Georgia, United States.[1] It is a census-designated place (CDP), with a population of 1,040 at the 2010 census.[2] The ZIP code is 31648, and the area code 229.
The town of Statenville was originally called Troublesome. It grew up at a ford on the Alapaha River in the 1850s. Troublesome was renamed Statenville when the latter was designated county seat in 1858 of the newly-formed Echols County. It is named for James Watson Staten,[3] but was erroneously incorporated as "Statesville" in 1859. In 1965, the state officially amended the city's charter to read "Statenville". In 1995, a new state law revoked the city charter, along with dozens of others in Georgia which had inactive governments. This left Echols and Webster as the only counties in Georgia with an unincorporated county seat.
Statenville is located in western Echols County, just east of the Alapaha River. U.S. Route 129 passes through the community, leading north 27 miles (43 km) to Lakeland, south 6 miles (10 km) to the Florida border, and south 14 miles (23 km) to Jasper, Florida. Georgia State Route 94 crosses US 129 in the center of Statenville, leading east 28 miles (45 km) to Fargo and northwest 18 miles (29 km) to Valdosta.
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