The A-Z Of Becoming A Veterinary Assistant

One of the most rewarding professions for a person that loves animals is becoming a veterinary assistant who assists veterinarians with every aspect of animal care and helps manage a pet owner’s questions and concerns. Being integral members of the veterinary care team, veterinary assistants get the reward and satisfaction of assisting beloved companion animals and their owners.

Here are some of the things a veterinary assistant does:

They are responsible for keeping the animals under them clean and safe.

They are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting cages and for bathing animals.

Veterinary assistants are also responsible for feeding and weighing animals.

They administer medications, collect blood, urine and tissue samples and perform lab tests.

They are also responsible for monitoring animals during a surgery.

They also carry on the administrative job of maintaining charts that document daily care.

In addition to caring for the animals, veterinary assistants also assist the pet owners; they are the first point of contact for clients and set the tone of their experience.

Veterinary assistants also educate pet owners about illnesses, medications and general care; they answer the owner’s questions and concerns.

Work environment: 

Most veterinary assistants work in veterinary clinics and animal hospitals, and sometimes in laboratories located in research facilities. They may work full time, part time or flexible hours. Some may also work in 24-hour facilities in animal hospitals and may also work in the evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Veterinary assistants need to be in good physical shape to effectively lift, move or restrain animal patients when needed. The ability to focus and stay on task in a loud environment is also helpful, as other animals in the facility can become quite noisy.

Education:

Most veterinary assistants have a high school diploma or GED; some may choose to earn certificate through a non-degree program, but certification is not required. Many employers prefer to hire veterinary assistants who have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in animal science.

Licensing and/or Certification:

Though not necessary, certification is sometimes preferred by employers; this certification can be obtained through state veterinary societies and private organizations. There is a variation from program to program with most consisting of relevant educational coursework, hands-on training with veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and a final written examination.

Training: 

Though some certificate programs offer hands-on-training, most training regarding animal care and front desk administrative tasks occurs on the job. While basic animal care includes feeding, watering and examining animals for issues, cleaning and disinfecting cages and work areas, sterilizing laboratory equipment and surgical instruments, providing post-operative care, administering oral and topical medications, and preparing specimens for lab examination, front desk task training includes managing records and assisting customers on phone and in person when they visit the clinic.

Opportunities for advancement: 

Veterinary assistants can advance their career by choosing to go to school for an associate degree to be a veterinary technician or complete a bachelor’s degree with pre-veterinary requirements that allowing them to apply to veterinary school. Their experience working as a veterinary assistant offers a distinct advantage.

Last, but very important point is that the veterinary industry would increase with the growth of pet ownership in the US increasing the scope of veterinary assistants. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for veterinary assistants is expected to grow at a rate of 14% from 2010 to 2020.

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