Benefits of Becoming a Veterinary Assistant
An assistant veterinarian salary makes it a career worth pursuing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current average salary is more than $31K. Veterinary assistants get to spend their days helping animals in many settings. They can work in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, wildlife rehabilitation centers, laboratories, and even grooming facilities. Apart from the salary and the variety of work environments available to vet assistants, there are several other benefits. As one of the best veterinary assistant programs in the country, Animal Behavior College explains how to become a veterinary assistant.
Multiple Work Environments
Vet assistants can work in a number of places. Aside from the common workplaces, vet assistants can find jobs in animal clinics, kennels and doggie daycares. Perhaps the rewarding place to work is at a humane society.
Humane societies are established to protect not only animals, but arrest people who make crimes against them as well. At the humane society, a veterinary assistant works side-by-side with the veterinarian. Since humane societies usually have a larger staff with more departments, there are more job opportunities for vet assistants there. For example, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers job openings for veterinary assistants in the mobile clinic.
Veterinary Assistant Job Description
The responsibilities of a veterinary assistant varies, depending on where you work. At a mobile clinic, vet assistants help with the veterinary technician and veterinarian, prepare patients for surgeries and examinations, and talk with pet owners about their pets’ health.
Other job duties may include:
- Pre-operative nursing care
- Post-operative nursing care
- Emergency care
- Animal restraint
- Record keeping
- Wrapping, sterilizing and dating of surgical supplies
- Facility disinfection and sanitation
- Laundry
Requirements to Become a Vet Assistant
Vet assistant schools provide students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to apply for positions at places, such as humane societies. ABC’s veterinary assistant program goes beyond the written curriculum and offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on training. A vet assistant certification and experience are a huge plus in landing the job.
In addition to a certificate from a qualified program, a high school diploma or its equivalent is often desired for jobs. For senior vet assistant positions, five to six years of veterinary medical experience is generally required.
Begin your journey toward a rewarding career and sign up for ABC’s vet assistant school today by calling (800) 795-3294. For more information, please click here.