How to Become a Vet Assistant Without Any College
Most veterinary assistants work at clinics and animal hospitals, where they have many varied tasks. They work at the front desk, assist in examination rooms, sterilize instruments and clean rooms between exams. Veterinary assistants often record the animal's temperature, weight and heart rate at the start of the pet's visit to the clinic, and may ask questions of the owner. The good news is you don't need any college to become a vet assistant because these employees usually are trained on the job.
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Instructions
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Volunteer at a local humane society or animal shelter to become accustomed to spending time with various pets, particularly dogs and cats, which are the most common pets. You'll learn to be prepared for the occasional animal who becomes aggressive, and the possibility of getting scratched or bitten during an examination or treatment once you're a vet assistant. This experience also helps you learn not to be grossed out when cleaning up urine and feces, and changing cat litter, which all are part of a vet assistant's job duties.
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Ask to assist with any injured or sick animals at the shelter to help you learn not to be squeamish about blood and hospital procedures. Especially in a small or rural clinic, vet assistants sometimes are asked to provide some assistance during surgery. As a vet assistant, you'll also see injuries and diseases that are unpleasant to view, and will deal with lab specimens.
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Learn office skills including data entry, word processing and bookkeeping. Vet assistants work in the reception area answering the phone, maintaining computer records, taking payments and printing receipts. You can learn these skills while in high school, or complete classes at a technical school.
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Apply for a job at a boarding kennel or pet grooming facility to gain even more experience working with animals.
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Apply for a job as a receptionist or at a customer service retail counter if you are already comfortable working with animals. Reception, customer service and administrative work are large parts of the vet assistant's job, so extra experience is beneficial. Working at a pet food and supplies retail store is an excellent possibility, because it provides familiarity with products available, and helps you develop great customer service skills. Temporary employment agencies also can provide you with short-term opportunities to practice your office skills while you work on getting hired as a vet assistant.
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Go to local vet clinics and animal hospitals and pick up applications. Return the application along with a cover letter explaining why you want to be a vet assistant and any qualifications you'd like to highlight. You also can include a resume.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear an outfit that can be categorized as "business casual" when picking up and returning the application, and for the interview. Since vet assistants usually wear casual clothing such as a smock and jeans, you don't want to look too dressy, but you do want to show pride in your appearance.
Understand that difficult emotional situations come with a vet assistant job. Some pets must be euthanized, some do not survive surgery, and some are brought in after being severely injured. The vet assistant must be calm and compassionate with distraught pet owners.
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- Photo Credit Shelley Moore
