Do you have a soft spot for animals? Are you interested in earning a living while helping veterinarians care for animals who are sick, injured, or need routine exams? If so, then a career as a veterinary assistant may be right for you. In this role, you can enjoy knowing that you’re making a difference in the lives of animals every day, all while putting essential skills to use.
So, what exactly does the work of a veterinary assistant entail, and how do you go about becoming one? We’re diving into this and much more to help you decide whether this career path is right for you.
An In-Depth Look at the Role of a Veterinary Assistant
As the name implies, veterinary assistants help veterinarians and other veterinary professionals care for animals in need. These professionals often work in veterinary clinics, though they may also be employed in animal hospitals and, in some cases, research laboratories.
The Importance of Veterinary Care
Veterinary assistants play a critical role in the workplace, providing much-needed support for veterinarians during routine exams and even complex procedures. For example, veterinary assistants may handle critical tasks such as sterilizing surgical equipment and monitoring vital signs during a surgery. This essential support allows veterinarians to focus on other important aspects of their jobs while ensuring animals remain in the best possible care.
Veterinary assistants also play an essential role in communicating with clients. In some cases, pet owners may spend more time at an appointment with a vet assistant than with a veterinarian. With this in mind, veterinary assistants can serve as an important link between the practice and pet owners, providing valuable information and guidance during appointments.
Key Responsibilities and Daily Tasks
The duties and responsibilities of a veterinary assistant can vary somewhat depending on the place of employment. However, for the “typical” vet assistant who is employed in a traditional veterinary office, common responsibilities and daily tasks include:
- Feeding and bathing animals.
- Keeping kennels and exam rooms clean and disinfecting them after each appointment.
- Monitoring animals after surgical procedures.
- Sterilizing surgical equipment ahead of a procedure.
- Assisting in collecting samples for testing.
- Administering medication and immunizations to animals.
Core Duties of a Veterinary Assistant
The most important aspect of veterinary assistant duties is caring for animals, which generally involves delivering basic animal care and, in many cases, assisting veterinarians during exams.
Providing Basic Animal Care and Comfort
When animals are brought into a veterinary office, even just for a routine wellness exam, they can become highly stressed and agitated. This is especially true for pets used to being at home with little exposure to the outside world. In these instances, veterinary assistants can play a critical role in helping animals stay as comfortable as possible while at the vet.
Assisting Veterinarians During Examinations
One of the most common services performed at a veterinary office is the standard wellness exam, which is recommended for most animals at least once per year. While veterinarians may need to carry out portions of these exams, vet assistants can provide crucial assistance with many components of the exam to minimize client waiting times and free up veterinarians’ time and resources.
From checking an animal’s vital signs to speaking with the pet owner about any questions or concerns, veterinary assistants can provide valuable support during examinations that keep the clinic running smoothly.
Additional Responsibilities of Veterinary Assistants
While the duties and responsibilities of a veterinary assistant can vary a bit from one role to the next, some professionals in this job may take on some basic administrative and housekeeping tasks as well. This may include handling front office operations, communicating with clients, and keeping clinics clean and organized.
Managing Front Office Operations and Client Communications
It is not uncommon for vet clinics to have veterinary assistants help out at the front desk when they are not directly working with patients. They may be responsible for answering phone calls, scheduling/rescheduling appointments, processing payments, and handling other basic administrative tasks outside of the exam room.
Veterinary assistants are also among the most client-facing roles in a traditional vet office. They educate pet owners on the best care practices for their pets and answer any questions they may have during their appointments. In this sense, veterinary assistants serve as a vital link between their clinics and the local pet community.
Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in the Clinic
Many veterinary clinics are also assigned basic housekeeping tasks in addition to some administrative duties. These may include sanitizing exam rooms after each appointment and cleaning out kennels and cages as needed. Veterinary assistants may also help clean waiting areas and other parts of the vet office to keep them safe and presentable to clients.
Essential Skills for Success as a Veterinary Assistant
What does it take to thrive as a veterinary assistant? There are quite a few veterinary assistant skills that you’ll need to perform this job confidently and with the best interests of animals in mind.
Technical Skills and Animal Handling
Veterinary assistants need to possess a wide range of technical skills, including the ability to document and observe vital signs such as heart rate and temperature. Likewise, they need to understand complex medical terminology, especially when communicating with other staff members and keeping patients’ charts properly documented.
Because veterinary assistants often help with laboratory procedures and surgeries, they also need to be familiar with testing procedures, the use of laboratory equipment, and wound care.
Animal handling skills are also essential for veterinary assistants. These professionals are often responsible for restraining, transporting, and otherwise handling distressed animals. Handling these animals safely and responsibly can reduce the risk of injury while ensuring animals receive the best possible care.
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Working as a veterinary assistant also requires strong communication and interpersonal skills. Not only do veterinary assistants need to be in constant contact with other members of the veterinary team and administrative staff, but they often serve as a first line of communication for clients. With this in mind, vet assistants must communicate effectively while maintaining a sense of compassion and empathy.
Educational Pathways and Certifications
The work of a veterinary assistant is challenging yet extremely rewarding for those who care about animal welfare. Are you interested in pursuing this role yourself? If so, it’s important to understand the steps needed to become a veterinary assistant.
Required Qualifications and Training Programs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “most workers entering the occupation have a high school diploma or equivalent.” However, suppose you’re looking to differentiate yourself from other job candidates while learning the foundation skills you need to thrive in this fast-paced role. In that case, earning a veterinary assistant diploma can be a great way to set yourself apart.
Likewise, while becoming certified as a veterinary assistant typically isn’t required, it can be a further way to demonstrate your skills and commitment to potential employers. Earning your certification through the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) or the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) can be an excellent career move.
Continuing Education for Veterinary Assistants
In addition to veterinary assistant diploma programs, professionals in the field may want to explore other continuing education opportunities as they advance in their careers. In fact, if you earn a veterinary assistant certification, there’s even a good chance that you’ll be required to earn a certain number of continuing education credits every few years to keep your certification current. Regardless, these opportunities are a great way to expand your skill set while staying up-to-date on the latest advancements and best practices in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you’re compassionate, organized, and eager to build your veterinary assistant skills and have some questions about delving into this field, we’ve got answers!
What qualifications are needed to become a veterinary assistant?
While many veterinary assistants can enter the field with a high school diploma (or equivalent), having a dedicated veterinary technician diploma can help candidates stand out in the job market. Regardless, all vet assistants need to have strong communication skills, technical proficiency, and compassion for animals.
Can veterinary assistants administer medication?
Typically, veterinary assistants are able to administer medication so long as it has been prescribed by a veterinarian. This can include the administration of immunizations, which are often given during routine exams. However, veterinary assistants are unable to prescribe medication.
How do veterinary assistants contribute to animal welfare?
Veterinary assistants play a critical role in protecting animal welfare by ensuring that animals are cared for with compassion during their time in a veterinary clinic. From following safe handling practices to helping care for injured/sick animals, vet assistants can enjoy knowing that their daily work makes a positive difference in the lives of the animals they serve.
Learn More in a Veterinary Assistant Program
For compassionate animal lovers, a career as a veterinary assistant offers a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of life for animals through routine care. Whether they’re assisting during exams or handling front-desk responsibilities, veterinary assistants duties span both animal care and administrative tasks, making this a well-rounded and fulfilling role.
If you’re interested in a career as a vet assistant, the proper education can provide you with the foundation you need to move forward. At NUC University Florida Technical College, our Veterinary Assistant & Pet Grooming Diploma program is designed with a career-focused curriculum that prepares you for the opportunities and obstacles of this field, all while learning under the guidance and support of our dedicated faculty. Learn more about this program by getting in touch,!
This article presents a general overview of the field of veterinary assistant, including job opportunities within that field; it does not describe the educational objectives or expected employment outcomes of a particular Florida Technical College program. Florida Technical College does not guarantee that students will obtain employment or any particular job. Some positions may require licensure or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular career you desire.
Sources
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare
https://www.nal.usda.gov/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-handling
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-assistants-and-laboratory-animal-caretakers.htm
