Become a Veterinary Assistant
If you have a love for animals and want to turn that passion into a rewarding career, then becoming a veterinary assistant might be the perfect choice for you. Our 100% online course will train you to become a veterinary assistant, helping animals under veterinary care and ensuring that office visits and procedures go smoothly.
Instructional Format
You can complete our veterinary assistant training entirely online, at your own pace. Our instructors will guide you through the course, providing valuable insights and answering any questions you may have.
Job Outlook for Veterinary Assistant
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a veterinary assistant is currently just over $26,000 per year. The demand for veterinary assistants is expected to increase by 19% through 2026, which is considered much faster than average. This means there will be plenty of job opportunities for veterinary assistants, regardless of your location.
Veterinary Assistant FAQs
What does a veterinary assistant do?
A veterinary assistant’s main role is to support the veterinarian and veterinary technicians with basic tasks. This can include feeding, weighing, bathing, and taking the temperature of animals. Veterinary assistants may also assist with medication administration, cleaning cages, and restraining animals during treatment or other medical procedures.
Do veterinary assistants handle administrative duties?
Some veterinary assistants may also handle administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers. They play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of the veterinary practice, handling tasks like check-in, billing, and after-visit care.
What’s the difference between a veterinary assistant and a veterinary technician?
Veterinary assistants are typically trained through a certificate program to assist with basic duties. On the other hand, veterinary technicians have a formal education and work as the nurse of a veterinarian. Veterinary technicians require a two-year associate degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Can I go from a veterinary assistant to a veterinary technician?
Absolutely! By pursuing additional education and licensing, you can advance from a veterinary assistant to a veterinary technician. Working as a veterinary assistant is a great first step as it helps you understand the industry, different specialties, and the advanced duties required to work as a veterinary technician.
Course Objectives
- Anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems
- Handling medical records and communicating with clients and coworkers
- Restraining animals for procedures, taking vital signs, and bathing them
- Nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication
- Preparing prescriptions, taking blood samples, and performing radiographs
Register for the Online Veterinary Assistant Course Now!
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take this course. Anyone with a passion for working with animals can enroll and start their journey towards becoming a veterinary assistant.
Curriculum
- Getting started
- Welcome to the veterinary hospital
- Getting ready for your first visit
- Physiology and Anatomy 1: Directional signs and the skeletal system
- Physiology and Anatomy 2: The nervous system, endocrine system, and muscles and joints
- Physiology and Anatomy 3: The circulatory and respiratory systems
- Physiology and Anatomy 4: The digestive system, urogenital system, liver, and spleen
- Front office duties: records, confidentiality, and client relations
- More front office tips, and determining the age and gender of kittens and puppies
- Canine restraint
- Feline and exotic restraint
- The physical examination: procedures, restraint, and vital signs
- Everyday procedures for the veterinary assistant
- Workplace hazards and infection control
- The reproductive cycle and sterilization procedures
- Vaccinology
- Nutrition basics and prescription foods
- Prescriptions: preparing and calculating doses
- Prescriptions: types of medications and what they do
- Giving medications
- The euthanasia process
- Taking blood samples
- Interpreting blood tests and handling blood
- Urine collection, handling, and interpretation
- Tests: serology, scrapings, smears, flotations, and necropsies
- Radiographs and personal safety
- Radiographic positioning
- Pain recognition and emergency care
- Dentistry: charting, tooth disease, and dental care
- External parasites: fleas, ticks, mites, and more
- Parasites of the gastrointestinal tract and heart
- Poisonings in pets
- Surgery 1: preparing the patient
- Surgery 2: your role during and after
- Understanding animal behavior
- The job search and future opportunities
Start your journey to becoming a veterinary assistant today by registering for our online course. With our comprehensive curriculum and expert instructors, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in veterinary assistance.
