Advance Your Career As a Veterinary Assistant

A veterinary assistant works at a veterinary practice or laboratory animal facility, where they are responsible for helping veterinarians and veterinary technicians care for the animals. They also perform basic laboratory work, such as drawing blood and collecting urine samples.

 

Whether you are a vet assistant who is just beginning your career or you are already in this field, there are several ways to advance your career as an animal care professional. These include obtaining a degree in veterinary medicine, becoming a veterinary technician, or working as an instructor for animal health care students.

 

To start, you may want to consider applying for a clerical job in an animal-centered environment before enrolling in a veterinary assistant program. This will give you a foot in the door to the field and a chance to build up work experience that can help you gain the confidence you need to take on a more senior position.

 

While it is not necessary to complete formal training in order to become a veterinary assistant, many employers prefer applicants who have completed a program that was accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA). This designation will improve your employment prospects and can increase your salary.

Earning an Associate’s Degree

 

For those interested in pursuing a more advanced position as a veterinary assistant, the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) offers three certifications: assistant laboratory animal technician (ALAT), laboratory animal technician (LAT), and laboratory animal technologist (LATG). These credentials are designed to give you additional knowledge about the scientific and human aspects of working with animal models in laboratories.

 

Certificate programs for veterinary assistants typically take a year to complete and can be done online or in a traditional classroom setting. These programs focus on veterinary assistant basics, such as anatomy and physiology, as well as a specific area of expertise such as animal restraint.

 

The best veterinary assistant programs will also offer an externship or field placement component where you will get hands-on work experience with animals and learn from experienced staff. This is important because employers often expect a lot from their veterinary assistants, so having the ability to work on real-world projects will give you the skills you need for success.

Volunteering

 

Aspiring veterinary assistants should have the opportunity to spend time volunteering at animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, and animal rescue organizations before starting a veterinary assistant program. This will provide you with the hands-on experience that can make you more appealing to employers and give you a leg up in the competition for entry-level positions.

Getting a Veterinary Assistant Job

 

The first step to becoming a veterinary assistant is to find a veterinary practice or laboratory that offers veterinary assistant jobs. This will give you a chance to see what the job is like and if it is right for you.

 

If you are a pet lover, this might be the ideal career for you. It is an exciting, fast-paced career that will let you help animals stay healthy and happy while making a living at the same time! Check out this post for more details related to this article: https://www.britannica.com/animal/dog/Training.