Veterinary Assistant Job Description A veterinary assistant is a vital member of any veterinary team providing health care to animals large and small. Interacting with animals is only part of a veterinary assistant career. Veterinary assistants support licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians in their daily tasks, and must perform the following duties to ensure a comfortable and sanitary environment: - Cleaning and maintaining holding areas and equipment
- Clerical and administrative work
- Feeding, exercising and grooming patients
- Preparing and sanitizing surgery suites
- Restraining and handling patients
 In some cases, these duties are shared by a veterinary technician, particularly at the beginning of the technician's career. As veterinary assistants gain experience they may take on more complicated tasks, such as administering medication under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. A veterinary assistant career can be stressful, especially if there is an emergency, or a patient has to be put to sleep, but it is also very rewarding. Supporting veterinarians in providing comfort and reassurance to pet owners may be one of the most important aspects of the job, as it assures them that you and your clinic are committed to giving their pet the best possible treatment. Veterinary Assistant Education Becoming veterinary assistants before moving into veterinary technician specialties is a popular path for many workers in animal health care. Many veterinary assistant programs can be completed in less than a year and award a certificate upon completion. Enrolling in a veterinary assistant program will get you into the field faster than a veterinary technician associate's degree, and if you decide to continue and pursue veterinary technician career, you can use your job experience to fulfill future internship requirements. Some employers will only accept applications from certified veterinary assistants, but not all employers require a formal education, and many veterinary assistants are trained on the job. However, certified veterinary assistants need significantly less workplace training than an assistant without an education. Veterinary Assistant Career Outlook Choosing a work environment is an important step in your veterinary assistant career. Employers can vary in size from small private practices to large veterinary hospitals. Different locations will bring you into contact with distinctly different kinds of animals specific to the region and environment. For example, besides the usual household pets, a rural clinic will treat farm animals and even wildlife while an urban one will not. While some of these positions are extremely competitive, there is very high demand for qualified veterinary assistants. The results of a survey performed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that the number of pet owners seeking veterinary services is rising, increasing the demand for veterinary care providers According to Salary.com, the average income of a veterinary assistant career is $26,278. The bottom 25 percent earn $21,173 and the top 25 percent earn $31,697. Income can vary based on education, experience and where you choose to seek employment. Is a Veterinary Assistant Career for You? If you love animals, embarking on a veterinary assistant career is a great way for you to get a feel for the field of veterinary medicine and to start interacting with and caring for a variety of different animals. Take the first step on this career path by finding veterinary assistant schools near you. Continue to learn how become a certified veterinary technician.  |
