How Much Education Does it Take to Become a Veterinarian's Assistant?

One of the duties of a veterinarian's assistant is to administer medication.

While veterinarians make diagnoses, prescribe medicine and perform surgery, much of the care of a pet in a veterinary hospital is performed by a veterinarian assistant. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics compares the position to the job a nurse performs for a doctor. Veterinarian assistants administer medicine and perform tests on animals in the hospital. It is a job for people who like animals and pets and want to care for them.

On-the-Job Training

Many people can get a taste of what working as a veterinarian assistant is like by working at a veterinarian hospital. Many veterinarian hospitals will train employees to help with certain aspects of the business such as kennel care, drawing blood, patient care and administering medication. This on-the-job training will give you exposure to the type of work you will be doing as a veterinarian assistant before you commit to an educational program.

High School

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recommends that anyone interested in becoming a veterinary assistant "should take as many high school science, biology and math courses as possible." These courses will create a strong foundation on which the college science courses can build upon.

Associate Program

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most entry-level veterinarian assistants have an associate degree. This is a two-year program and should be taken at a school that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. The community college programs teach veterinary technology in classrooms and laboratories using live animals.

Bachelor's Program

About 20 colleges in the United States have bachelor's degree programs in veterinary technology, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. These are four-year programs, though the colleges that offer bachelor's degrees generally also offer an associate degree program. The American Veterinary Medical Association accredited 160 veterinary technology programs in 45 states as of 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Certification

Each state has its own rules that regulate veterinary assistants and require them to pass a licensing examination. These licensing exams have oral, written and practical sections overseen by a state board of veterinary examiners. Most states uses the National Veterinary Technician exam, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Applicants who pass the exam are either registered, licensed or certified, depending on the state.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians