Skills Required for a Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary assistants are required to be skilled in various areas of animal care and operations of an animal hospital or clinic. A trained and knowledgeable veterinary assistant will improve customer and patient services, allowing the veterinarian to focus more on patient care. Veterinary employees, attendants or others interested in the field can train to become a veterinary assistant with about two years of study.
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Office Skills
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A veterinary assistant must possess efficient office skills to perform various administrative procedures, including record keeping, scheduling, invoicing and checking patients in. Veterinary assistants are also front-office support and are required to have basic computer skills, as well as customer service skills. Interpersonal skills are of absolute importance, as veterinary assistants will need to deal with many different types of pet owners and must know how to handle difficult situations. Other duties often performed by a veterinary assistant include properly cleaning kennels, cleaning surgery rooms and sterilizing equipment.
Communication Skills
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A veterinary assistant is required to have professional work habits and good communication skills. They must communicate effectively and clearly with animal owners, visitors and the veterinary team. Veterinary assistants need to convey information to pet owners on the phone or in person, as well as coordinate schedules with veterinarians and the office staff. Ethical and legal standards must always be applied to issues in the veterinary office.
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Animal Skills
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A veterinary assistant should demonstrate the ability to identify the major breeds of various animals. They must be willing to work with a wide range of different animals and provide direct care to any pets staying in the clinic. Feeding, walking and changing pet bedding are some duties of a veterinary assistant, especially if there is a boarding kennel on-site. They must also have a basic understanding of animal behavior and be capable of identifying different signs of illness or disease.
Clinical Skills
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Technical skills are essential in order to properly handle office equipment and procedures. Depending on the clinic or animal hospital, the veterinary assistant might need to learn how to draw blood, assist during a surgery and properly handle the x-ray equipment as well as the pet during an X-ray procedure. Understanding veterinary medical terminology is very important, especially in emergency situations. Veterinary assistants frequently handle animal specimens or lab procedures and results, so a veterinary assistant must know the ins and outs of veterinary clinical procedures, and be comfortable around medical procedures as well.
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References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Professional Veterinary Assistant School: What is a Veterinary Assistant?
- Ivy Tech Community College: Veterinary Assistant
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College: Veterinary Assistant
- Globe University Minnesota School of Business: Veterinary Skills Training
- Photo Credit chevreau nourrit au biberon image by Charly from Fotolia.com
