http://westech.edu/career-programs/veterinary-assistant/ | Anyone who plans to work as a veterinary assistant must comply with the educational and certification requirements of their employer as well as the regulatory agency, if any, of the state in which they will be employed. It is also important to develop certain medical, clerical, and interpersonal skills.

2. For those who love being
around animals, a career
as a veterinary assistant
can provide years of
personal and professional
satisfaction.
As with most professions, however,
there are various requirements—
pertaining to educational
qualifications, relevant job skills,
and other factors—that must be
met in order to survive and thrive in
this field. What can you expect from
a career as a veterinary assistant?
Let’s take a look.

3. • According to the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics,
veterinary assistants draw
a median salary of
$23,790 per year (2014).1
• This occupation is also
expected to experience a
growth of 9% from 2014
to 2024. Veterinary
assistants won’t be going
away any time soon!

4. • Veterinary assistants are required to hold a high school diploma or a GED. In
practice, clinics and other facilities that employ veterinary assistants tend to
prefer individuals who have an associate or bachelor’s degree in a relevant
field, such as animal science.
• The website of the American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)
includes a listing of colleges and other institutions with accredited
educational programs.

5. • For the most part, veterinary
assistants are not required by
employers to hold any kind of
certification. However, some
aspiring veterinary assistants elect
to obtain a relevant certificate in
order to boost their chances of
finding employment.
• A number of state veterinary
organizations offer certification
programs in this discipline.

6. • Veterinary assistants can also expect to go through a certain amount of
on-the-job education at the workplace.
• This typically involves learning tasks like cleaning cages, feeding animals,
performing basic examinations, sterilizing equipment, and more.
Furthermore, veterinary assistants are generally required to handle some
front desk responsibilities (e.g., greeting visitors, answering phones).

7. • Veterinary assistants can be
found in various kinds of work
environments. These include
zoos, animal clinics/hospitals,
and laboratories.
• You can even find them at
racetracks, where veterinarians
are on duty to provide medical
care to animals who perform in
these sporting events.

8. • Anyone who aspires to be a veterinary assistant needs to be aware that
they will sometimes find themselves in tense situations, such as emergency
surgery. Sick or wounded animals can become unruly. In addition, stressed-
out or distraught animal owners may be difficult to deal with, making
interpersonal skills important as well.
• Assistants should have sufficient strength to lift animals when necessary.

9. While on the job, veterinary assistants
will have an assortment of duties that
must be managed. These include, but
are not limited to, the following:
• Administering medications to
animals
• Bathing animals
• Collecting blood and tissue samples
• Monitoring vital signs
• Filing reports and handling other
clerical tasks
• Providing support during operations

10. Established in 1988, Westech College is a
privately run educational institution offering a
variety of career programs that prepare students
for successful employment. The school has
campuses in Fontana, Moreno Valley, and
Victorville, CA. Westech College is currently
accredited by the Accrediting Commission of
Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
Visit westech.edu for more information today!

11. 1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-
assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers.htm