How to Become a Veterinary Assistant

A veterinary assistant is the person who aids the doctor during a standard visit to a clinic. The assistant takes the basic information about the problem, asks general questions and takes the animal's temperature. A veterinary assistant also handles record keeping, invoicing and cleans the examination room in between visits. Depending on the setting, they may also be in charge of administering medication or preparing equipment.

Things You'll Need

• High school diploma
• Post-secondary certification as an animal assistant (optional)

Instructions

1. Make sure you are comfortable dealing with all types of animals, including exotics (reptiles, snakes and others), scared or aggressive pets and animals that are seriously injured. This is certainly not the right job for the squeamish.

2. Become certified. While many veterinary assistants get on-the-job training, you will start with a higher salary and more employment opportunities if you follow the necessary coursework. Veterinary assistant courses are available over the Internet, which makes it easy for anybody to complete their studies.

3. Take high school courses in office management and animal care. Some schools offer credit for volunteer opportunities. If that's the case with your school, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter, so you can learn the basics of handling animals.

4. Look into distance learning courses in the field. This type of certification will give you a good overview of the career, including: animal handling procedures, medical procedures, treatment techniques, business transactions and pharmacology. Some courses also prepare students for employment and train them in billing and collecting.

5. Get a job at a small clinic first, so you have a chance to actively participate in all areas of training. In a large hospital, a new veterinary assistant may be restricted to the front desk or to secondary duties, while those who work in small clinics will more than likely cover different areas and thus get much better training experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider branching out to other job sectors if you want to improve your resume. After you become a veterinary assistant, you can choose to work at clinics, zoos, animal shelters and ranches or farms. Consider what environment you are most comfortable in and then pursue that option.

• Keep in mind that there are almost no opportunities for advancement in this field unless you decide to go back to school. If you are looking for a career that provides you with the opportunity to grow, you should look into starting a degree as a veterinary technician while working as an assistant.