PACE NONCREDIT COURSE:
Veterinary Assistant
Areas of Study
Course Type
Overview
Hours: 225 | CEUs: 22.5 | Duration: 6 months
Do you love animals? Have you ever thought about a career as a veterinary assistant? This intensive course will provide the information you need to become a productive member of a veterinary team. The course is designed for people who want to work as veterinary assistants at veterinary hospitals and for those already employed in related positions. Upon completion of the course, you will also have the opportunity to gain access to an Externship Starter Kit.
Are you looking for veterinary assistant schools near you? The course covers all the requirements that hospitals and veterinarians’ offices look for, and more! You’ll learn about every aspect of veterinary assisting, including anatomy and physiology, animal restraint, laboratory sample collection, assisting in surgery and dentistry, prescription preparation, and taking radiographs.
You’ll also learn how to interact professionally with clients and gain the expertise you need to educate them about key topics in pet care, such as nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication. The course concludes with a lesson to prepare you for the job market, in which you’ll see how to create an effective resume, advance your expertise, and develop strong interview skills. You will truly learn everything you need to know to be successful in your new career.
Disclaimer: To qualify for the externship applications process, students must successfully complete the online course content and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the externship application process does not guarantee an externship. COVID may be affecting the externship process or site availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process 2 weeks prior to completing courses.
Key Concepts
Curriculum
- Getting Started file
- Welcome to the Veterinary Hospital file
- Getting Ready for Your First Visit file
- Physiology and Anatomy 1: Directional Signs and the Skeletal System file
- Physiology and Anatomy 2: The Nervous System, Endocrine System, and Muscles and Joints file
- Physiology and Anatomy 3: The Circulatory and Respiratory Systems file
- Physiology and Anatomy 4: The Digestive System, Urogenital System, Liver, and Spleen file
- Front Office Duties: Records, Confidentiality, and Client Relations file
- More Front Office Tips, and Determining Age and Gender of Kittens and Puppies file
- Canine Restraint file
- Feline and Exotic Restraint file
- The Physical Examination: Procedures, Restraint, and Vital Signs file
- Everyday Procedures for the Veterinary Assistant file
- Workplace Hazards and Infection Control file
- The Reproductive Cycle and Sterilization Procedures file
- Vaccinology file
- Nutrition Basics and Prescription Foods file
- Prescriptions: Preparing and Calculating Doses file
- Prescriptions: Types of Medications and What They Do file
- Giving Medications file
- The Euthanasia Process file
- Taking Blood Samples file
- Interpreting Blood Tests and Handling Blood file
- Urine Collection, Handling, and Interpretation file
- Tests: Serology, Scrapings, Smears, Flotations, and Necropsies file
- Radiographs and Personal Safety file
- Radiographic Positioning file
- Pain Recognition and Emergency Care file
- Dentistry: Charting, Tooth Disease, and Dental Care file
- External Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, Mites, and More file
- Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Heart file
- Poisonings in Pets file
- Surgery 1: Preparing the Patient file
- Surgery 2: Your Role During and After file
- Understanding Animal Behavior file
- The Job Search and Future Opportunities file
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a veterinary assistant do?
The number one job of a veterinary assistant is to assist the veterinarian and veterinarian technicians with basic tasks. As a veterinary assistant, you may feed, weigh and take the temperature of various animals. You may also help give medication, clean cages, and provide nursing care for animals when they have surgery or other medical procedures. You may also bathe and exercise animals as needed and help restrain them during treatment. As a veterinary assistant, it is also your responsibility to clean and sterilize equipment and exam rooms. Some veterinary assistants even perform clerical work such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers as well. The duties vary widely, but all are important to ensuring the health and well-being of animals inside the veterinary practice.
How to become a veterinary assistant?
The typical career path for a veterinary assistant involves earning a high school diploma or GED, enrolling in a certificate course, learning the specifics of the job, and gaining skills that will help you in your new role. After earning a certificate of completion, you will be prepared to begin work as a veterinary assistant.
How much do veterinary assistants make?
According to Indeed.com, the average salary for veterinary assistants is $31,904, with those who have more than 10 years of experience earning over $37,000.
How long does it take to become a veterinary assistant?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start whenever you are ready and finish at your own pace. When you register, you’ll receive six months to complete the course.
What is the difference between a veterinary assistant and a veterinary technician?
While the people in both these jobs may work in the same location (and potentially with the same animals), they perform very different roles. Veterinary assistants most likely have received training through a certificate program and training on the job by veterinary technicians to help with basic duties like setting up equipment and cleaning areas of the clinic like surgery sites. Veterinary technicians, or vet techs, have a formal education—likely a two- or four-year degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. They are also required to pass a licensing exam in most states. In short, veterinary technicians can perform more advanced clinical tasks under a veterinarian’s supervision to help treat animals.
Do I need to obtain certification to work as a veterinary assistant?
No, you do not need to obtain certification to work as a veterinary assistant. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is no required credentialing exam for veterinary assistants.
Does this course provide a veterinary assistant certification?
The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America has a certification course that began in 2012. Currently, this requires attending a college that also has a veterinary technician certification course. Once NAVTA creates a way for online courses to lead to certification, we will be exploring this avenue.
Can I register for a course if I am an international student?
Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country’s regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you’ll receive six (6) months to complete the course.
What if I don’t have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions and provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also receive support from the student advising team.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
Can I get financial assistance?
This course is noncredit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the “Contact Us” form.
Moodle & Zoom
Before enrolling, please review the following links and ensure that your computer meets these requirements.
Course Requirements
Requirements: Hardware Requirements: Software Requirements: Other: Instructional Material Requirements: The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment: Please note: You will receive a digital book if the physical book is on backorder.
Course Prerequisites
Jeff Grognet has been a companion animal veterinarian for 25 years. He was a pioneer in the field of veterinary assistant teaching, developing his first course more than 18 years ago. Due to the success of his veterinary receptionist/assistant courses, he expanded his teaching into other high-demand areas including pet first aid and alternative medical therapies for companion animals. He practices at a veterinary hospital and contributes regularly to several magazines.
