How to Become a Veterinary Technician in Georgia

Do you like to work with animals and would like to start a career in the field?

In that case, you just need to read our guide about becoming a vet tech in Georgia.

Veterinary Technician Job Description and Duties in Georgia

Your most important task will be to tend to animals, and you will be working in a vet facility.

Most often than not, you will be supervised by a veterinarian.

Your usual daily assignments are:

• Administering medications
• Taking x-rays,
• Processing tissue samples,
• Assisting in surgery and emergency care
• Performing lab tests
• Teeth cleaning,
• Electrocardiography,
• Bandaging,
• Wound cleaning,
• Maintaining detailed and accurate records of meds, supplies, patients

In Georgia, vet techs can’t perform surgeries or give medication.

Education and Training Required for Veterinary Technicians in Georgia

In this state, you can a vet tech without more training if you already worked with animals before.

If that’s not the case, you have to apply for a vet tech certification first.

To get it, you need to first get a Veterinary Technology Associate’s Degree of Applied Science.

This degree is provided by some approved training programs and lasts from 2 to 3 years to finish.

The program accreditation should be offered through the American Veterinary Medical Association.

You can also get a degree in Animal Science with a specialization in vet tech.

You will also have to join lab practice, by joining an internship or an externship.

Take a look at the next schools for more info.

To join a school, you need to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• An essay
• Future students must complete these classes right before enrolling in the degree program
  • Biology,
  • English composition,
  • Math,
  • Basic computer science,
  • Psychology,
  • Humanities,
• 2 letters of recommendation
  • One of them must come from a veterinarian
• Health insurance
• Buying a medical malpractice policy
• 360 hours of previous practical experience

You can qualify for a scholarship or work-study in case you can’t pay for your program.

In class, you will attend the following topics:

• Introduction to veterinary technology
• Anatomy and physiology
• Emergency care and first aid
• Pathology
• Anesthesiology
• Radiology
• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Parasitology
• Toxicology
• Nutrition

You will also have to take about 20 hours of practice in an approved vet facility.

The last semester will be a preceptorship.

Keep in mind that this state and some surrounding states have a reciprocity agreement.

Becoming a Licensed Veterinary Technician in Georgia

Vet technicians in Georgia are certified by the Georgia State Board of Veterinary Medicine.

To apply for the vet tech license, you have to send:

• An application form
• Proof you graduated from the training program described earlier
• To pay a fee
  • $300 for the exam
  • $100 for the license
• Score at least 70% on the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE)

The VTNE has 150 questions and lasts for about 3 hours.

Your vet tech license has to be renewed every 2 years in Georgia.

To get it renewed, you have to attend 10 hours of continuing education classes at an accredited site.

Five of these classes can be completed online.

The Georgia Veterinary Technician Association (AVTA) is a great resource for vet techs in Georgia.

It will help with finding a job and continuing your education.

Employment and Salaries for Veterinary Technicians in Georgia

You will need some info about being a vet tech before getting a job.

This also includes information about how much a vet tech makes in Georgia.

Vet techs can get hired in facilities like:

• Private clinical practices
• Zoos
• Veterinary teaching hospitals
• Rescue centers
• Wildlife or exotic animal rehabilitation centers
• Humane societies,
• Research facilities,
• Feedlots,
• Pharmaceutical companies

The largest facilities to work for as a vet tech in Georgia include:

• Athens Area Humane Society, in Athens
• University of Georgia Large Animal Teaching Hospital, in Athens
• Savannah Veterinary Internal Medicine, in Savannah
• Zoo Atlanta, in Atlanta
• Animal Eye Specialists, in Marietta
• BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Medicine for Pets, in Sandy Springs and Lawrenceville

Your salary will vary based on where you live, as well as your education.

How much experience you have in the industry will also impact your earnings.

Additional Information for Veterinary Technicians in Georgia

As a vet tech in Georgia, the following resources could be helpful in keeping up to date:

• Georgia State Veterinary Medical Association
• National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
• Veterinary Career Network
• Vet Tech Life
• Vetcetera,
• Where Techs Connect