CAREER TRAINING

Overview

Veterinary assistants are an important part of the veterinary healthcare team. They work under the supervision of veterinarians and veterinary technicians to provide medical care for animals. This online veterinary assistant training course will teach you the skills you need to provide excellent care to animals and their owners.

This course will teach you about the day-to-day duties of a veterinary assistant, including how to properly restrain animals, prepare for and assist with surgical procedures, and collect specimens. You will also learn about the different types of veterinary practices, how to communicate with clients, and how to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.

Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to work as a veterinary assistant in a variety of settings, including veterinary hospitals, clinics, and animal shelters. You will also be prepared to take the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) exam offered by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).

This veterinary assistant training course also includes an opportunity to apply to participate in a clinical experience.

Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience application process, students must successfully complete the online course and ensure their account balances are current (at a minimum). It is important to note that ed2go cannot guarantee placement at any clinical site, and students must take full responsibility for fulfilling their clinical requirements. However, our affiliated partnerships can increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks before completing courses.

Objective

What you will learn

• Summarize the roles, responsibilities, and applicable laws and ethics as they pertain to the veterinary healthcare team
• Discuss the fundamentals of animal anatomy and physiology, restraint techniques, and basic examination tasks relevant to veterinary assisting, using proper terminology
• Explain how to perform veterinary assistant pharmacy tasks within the law's scope and discuss vaccinations, infectious diseases, transmission, and prevention
• Describe how to respond appropriately to veterinary medical emergencies, surgeries, and various laboratory procedures
• Understand how to perform the veterinary assistant's responsibilities related to veterinary dentistry

How you will benefit

• This program prepares you to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing patient care
• Completing this comprehensive course along with your training can help you gain a new job or achieve a promotion
• In addition to hard skills, this program also helps you develop the soft skills required to work effectively with clients and the entire veterinary team
• Employers seek individuals who are passionate about animals and possess the communication and teamwork skills necessary to excel in the field

Outline

1. Veterinary Assistant
1. The Veterinary Health-Care Team
2. Veterinary Team Culture and Communication
3. Introduction to Veterinary Medical Terminology
4. Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology (Part I)
5. Small-Animal Behavior and Restraint
6. Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology (Part 2)
7. Veterinary Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities
8. Veterinary Inventory Management
9. Pharmacy Procedures
10. Hospital Safety and Infection Control
11. Physical Exam and Patient History
12. Small-Animal Vaccines and Infectious Diseases
13. Small-Animal Nutrition
14. Small-Animal Nursing Procedures
15. The Human-Animal Bond and Euthanasia
16. Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Assistants
17. Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Assistants
18. Small-Animal Surgical Assisting
19. Hospitalized Patient Care
20. The Role of the Assistant During Emergencies
21. Veterinary Dental Assisting
22. Assisting with Exotic Species
23. Assisting with Large-Animal Species
24. Personal and Professional Development
25. Beginning Your Career as a Vet Assistant
26. Land the Job

Instructor

Tracy Heyland, RVT

Tracy Heyland is a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT), earning the Academic and Practical Proficiency Award upon graduating. She brings 25+ years of experience in small animal medicine to her teaching, earned the Provincial Instructor Diploma, certified as a Professional Co-Active Coach, and is Fear Free Certified. Tracy has worked in general practice, emergency medicine, veterinary sales, operations management, and teaching positions and runs her own coaching and training company for veterinary teams, leaders, and managers.

Giving back to the veterinary profession is a passion of Tracy's where she volunteers for a veterinary technologist program advisory committee, remotely located spay and neuter projects, and a veterinary technologist association continuing education committee.

Mary Mould

Mary Mould has a bachelor's in veterinary technology and a master's in education. She has taught veterinary technology courses for 22 years and distance education for over 24 years. Completing her education through distance learning has been extremely helpful in understanding her students and the variables that go along with distance learning.

Mary published an article, "Brushing Your Dog's Teeth," in the Veterinary Technology journal and has spoken at the Midwest Veterinary Conference on animal pain management.

Mary is a member of the Association for Veterinary Technology Education (AVTE), Veterinary Support Personnel (VSPN), and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA).

FAQs

How much does a veterinary assistant make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers was $38,500 as of May 2023. Compensation can vary depending on education, certifications, additional skills, and/or the number of years you have spent in your profession.

What is a veterinary assistant?

A veterinary assistant is a professional who works under the supervision of a veterinarian and/or a veterinary technician. They provide various animal healthcare services, such as feeding and monitoring animal patients, cleaning and disinfecting equipment, and preparing surgical areas.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Not at this time. However, a veterinary assistant career does not require certification. If you are interested in a career as a certified veterinary technician, you will need to complete an AVMA-accredited vet tech program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

What kind of animal healthcare settings employ veterinary assistants?

Most veterinary assistants work in small animal veterinary hospitals or clinics. However, they can also find jobs in animal shelters, boarding facilities, and research hospitals.

How long does it take to complete the veterinary assistant program?

This asynchronous course is 225 hours long, and you have six months to complete it.

What is the difference between a veterinary assistant and a veterinary tech?

A veterinary technician has more advanced training and education than a veterinary assistant. Vet techs can perform more complex tasks, such as administering medications and performing dental cleanings.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests.

Are veterinary assistant jobs in demand?

Yes. The BLS reports that employment of veterinary assistants is projected to grow 14 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Am I guaranteed a job?

ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.