How to Select a Veterinary Technician College near Mableton Georgia
Fulfilling your lifelong aspiration of working with and caring for animals by enrolling in a vet school near Mableton GA may at first seem like an overwhelming undertaking. After all, you need to find and enroll in a college that will provide the appropriate training so that you can succeed as a vet assistant, technician or technologist. But just how do you tackle assessing and contrasting colleges so that you can make the proper selection? Many future students launch their due diligence process by looking for campuses that are close to their homes. When they have found some area colleges, they determine which ones have the most affordable tuition and hone in on those. Although cost and location are important concerns when comparing vet tech schools, they are by no means the only critical ones when making your assessments. Qualifiers such as internship programs and accreditation 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 choice. We have presented several in this article in order to help get you started, but before we review them we’ll talk about the various responsibilities of veterinary assistants and techs and the training options offered.
The Role of a Vet Tech and Assistant
Among the initial decisions that you will have to make is if you want to train as a vet technician, assistant or technologist. Part of your determination may be based on the amount of time and money that you have to commit to your education, but the main determiner will probably be which specialization appeals to you the most. What vet techs and assistants have in common is that they each work under the direct direction of a practicing and licensed veterinarian. And although there are numerous tasks that they can perform within the Mableton GA veterinary practice or hospital, they can’t prescribe medications, diagnose ailments, or perform surgeries. In those areas they may only provide assistance to a licensed veterinarian. There are technicians and technologists that work exclusive of the standard veterinarian practice, for instance for zoos, animal shelters or law enforcement. Let’s take a look at the job functions and education requirements for each position.
- Vet Assistants in the majority of cases will have completed a structured training program, either as an apprentice or intern in a vet clinic or hospital, or by graduating from a certificate program at a community college or vocational school near Mableton 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 associated with more involved activities, for instance assisting with surgeries. A few of their typical responsibilities may include working at the front desk, preparing and cleaning exam rooms and equipment, or controlling pets during exams.
- Vet Technicians receive more advanced training compared to assistants and normally acquire a two year Associate Degree, ideally from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program. They are in a sense the veterinarian equivalent of medical nurses, since their basic job function is to assist vets with diagnosing and treating animal patients. Where they stand apart from vet assistants is that they are involved in more involved tasks, for instance assisting with surgical procedures or providing medication. All states currently require vet techs pass a credentialing examination for either licensing, registration or certification.
- Vet Technologists are comparable to vet techs and essentially perform the same work functions. They are required to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in veterinary technology, which typically requires 4 years. Therefore the main distinction between a vet technologist and a technician is the technologist’s higher level of education. But with an advanced degree comes more job options, higher salaries and potential management positions. They are also required to pass a credentialing examination for either registration, certification or licensing.
Veterinary technicians and technologists can specialize in areas such as anesthesia, internal medicine or emergency care. Some may earn certification from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) to work in laboratories or Mableton GA area research facilities as well.
Veterinarian Online Courses
An option that might make sense for those with a hectic schedule or who are working full time while attending veterinarian school is to enroll in an online training program. Since the classes are made available over the internet, students can study on their own schedule wherever a computer is accessible. The course of study is taught using multiple venues, including videos, slide shows and live streaming webinars. And since most vet technician and technologist degrees require practical training, that segment can typically be fulfilled as an internship or work study program at an area Mableton GA veterinary practice or hospital. Distance learning, as it is also called, may in many instances lower the cost of your education. Tuition and ancillary costs, for instance for travel and study supplies, can be more affordable compared to more conventional classroom courses. Just confirm that the program that you choose is accredited, either by the AVMA or another nationally certified accrediting organization. With the online classes and the practical training, everything is included for a complete education. So if you are disciplined enough to learn in this more self-reliant manner, an online veterinary technician or assistant program may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Vet Assistant and Technologist Programs
At this point you probably have decided on which veterinary credential that you want to obtain, and if you intend to study online or attend a program on campus. Since there are an abundance of veterinarian community colleges, technical and vocational schools in Georgia as well as across the Country, you must ask some important questions in order to narrow down your list of options. As we pointed out in our introduction, many prospective students start by prioritizing location and the cost of tuition. But we have previously pointed out other essential qualifiers, for example internship programs and accreditation. And naturally you want to select a program that offers the degree and specialty that you want to earn. These and other qualifications are covered in the list of questions that you need to ask the Mableton GA veterinary technician and assistant schools that you are reviewing.
Is the Vet College Accredited? It’s essential that you confirm that the vet tech or assistant college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization. As earlier discussed, one of the most highly respected 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 essential if you are requesting a student loan or financial aid, since a large number of programs are not available for non-accredited programs. And finally, having a degree or certificate from an accredited school is often a prerequisite for employment for a number of Mableton GA veterinary clinics and hospitals.
What is the College’s Reputation? The veterinary college or trade school and program you choose should have an outstanding reputation within the veterinary field. You can initiate your due diligence by asking the schools you are reviewing for references from the employers in their job assistance network. Other suggestions include checking with internet school rating websites and contacting the school’s accrediting agencies as well. You can ask the Georgia school licensing department if there have been any grievances or violations involving your targeted schools. As a final pointer, contact some Mableton GA vet clinics that you might wish to work for after you get your training. Find out what they think about your school selections. They may even recommend one or more schools not on your list.
Are Internships Offered? The most effective approach to get practical hands on training as a vet assistant or tech is to work in a clinical setting. Ask if the colleges you are considering have internship programs established with local veterinarians, vet hospitals or clinics. Almost all veterinary medicine programs mandate practical training and many provide it through internships. Not only will the experience be beneficial relative to the clinical training, but an internship can also help develop relationships in the local Mableton GA veterinarian community and help in the search for employment after graduation.
Is there a Job Assistance Program? Getting a job after graduating from a vet tech or assistant program may be challenging without the help of a job placement program. First, find out what the graduation rates are for the schools you are reviewing. A lower rate could suggest that the instructors were unqualified to teach the course of study or that some students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. Next, verify that the schools have a job assistance program and find out what their placement rates are. A higher placement rate may mean that the Mableton GA school has an excellent reputation within the veterinarian community and has a substantial network of contacts for student placements. A low rate might indicate that the training is not well regarded by employers or that the job assistance program is ineffective at placing students.
How Large are the Classes? If the classes are larger in size, you probably will receive little or no one-on-one instruction from the teachers. Request from the Mableton GA schools you are looking at what their class student to teacher ratios are. You might also decide to sit in on some classes (if practical) to monitor the interaction between instructors and students. Get evaluations from students concerning the quality of instruction. Also, speak with the teachers and determine what their backgrounds are as well as their approaches to teaching.
Where is the Campus Located? Of course, we already discussed location, but there are a couple of more points to consider on the topic. If you are planning to commute to your veterinary 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, particularly if the Mableton GA college 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 increased tuition costs particularly for community and state colleges. On the other hand, taking classes online could be an alternative that will give you more flexibility and decrease the need for travel.
Is the Class Schedule Flexible? And last, it’s imperative that you determine if the Georgia veterinary programs you are considering offer class times that are sufficiently flexible to fit your schedule. For instance, many students continue working full time and can only go to classes on the weekends or in the evenings. Others may only be able to attend classes in the morning or in the afternoon. Confirm that the class times you require are offered near Mableton GA before enrolling. In addition, find out if you can make up classes that you might miss because of sickness, work or family responsibilities. You may find that an online college is the ideal way to fit your veterinary training into your active life.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Vet Technician?
When prepping to interview for a veterinary position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask veterinary candidates is "What compelled you to pick veterinary care as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming 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 significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding vet tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Pick the Ideal Veterinary Assistant Program near Mableton GA
Choosing the right vet technician program is a crucial first step to beginning a rewarding career delivering treatment and care for pets and livestock. Potential students considering veterinary assistant or tech programs must make their decision based on a number of key issues. Veterinary techs, assistants and technologists work in veterinary clinics and hospitals and animal shelters. They usually handle administrative tasks and support the veterinarian with the animals as needed. As we have discussed, 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 programs as well. By asking the questions provided in our checklist for reviewing schools, you will be able to reduce your alternatives so that you can make your final selection. And by choosing the ideal school, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a vet technician, assistant or technologist in Mableton GA.
A Little Bit About Mableton GA
Mableton, Georgia
Mableton is a census-designated place in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, Mableton had a population of 37,115. When Brookhaven became a city in December 2012, Mableton became the largest unincorporated community in Metro Atlanta.
It was named for Robert Mable, who on September 11, 1843, bought 300 acres (approximately 120 hectares or 1.2 km²) of land. The Southern Railway opened a railroad station in Mableton in December 1881, and on June 28, 1882, the post office opened replacing the Bryantville post office about two miles (3 km) southeast. On August 19, 1912, Mableton was incorporated as a town but was disincorporated on August 17, 1916. The historic Mable House and plantation, located off U.S. 78 on Floyd Road just north of Clay Road, now includes an amphitheatre which hosts public events.[1]
Roy Barnes, governor of Georgia from 1999 to 2003, is from Mableton.
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