DO you have to go to school to be a veterinary assistant?

Question

I know that you have to go if your going to be a vet tech. But what about an assistant. I love animals and wanna work with them. Recently i loss my job that I hated and now its time to start doing what I love : )
Any helo would be great thanks

Answer 1

No state in the US has any educational requirements for working as a veterinary ASSISTANT. This is an entry level-position in a veterinary facility and training is generally done on the job. Because most training is done on the job it is often very cursory and lacks the depth and breadth of a formal education. Veterinary assistants are generally taught the basic how-to but not the why or when you would do something different. They tend to do basic tasks such as animal restraint, basic care and sanitation, assist in patient monitoring, prepare instruments for use in surgeries or daily treatments, they may give medication as prescribed by the veterinarian, collect biological samples and perform basic diagnostic tests like reading fecals. Veterinary assistants are generally not the equivalent of a formally educated veterinary technician. For example, many assistants can place an IV catheter and hook up a fluid line to it, but they generally don't know how to calculate the appropriate amount of fluids to give in a 24 hour period to maintain hydration, replace lost fluids from vomiting/diarrhea, calculate the appropriate number of drops per hour to provide the correct amount of fluids or understand the different types of IV fluids available and when each type is appropriate to a given situation. They may monitor anesthesia but they generally don't know how the different anesthetic drugs they are giving affect the body other than producing sedation or anesthesia---do they cause a drop in blood pressure that needs to be compensated for, do they make it more likely for animals that have seizures to have one, do they need to change the anesthetic protocol to compensate for heart, liver or kidney issues in a given patient. Veterinary assistants generally require much more supervision than a credentialed veterinary technician



There are voluntary educational opportunities, however these are not equivalent to a college degree program and are instead basic vocational training. There is no over-sight by a professional body to ensure that the majority of these programs provide adequate or correct information. There is no requirement for hands-on training and instructors often have little or no experience or education in the veterinary field. There are a handful of certification programs that are designed and approved by veterinary professional organizations or that are offered by colleges which also offer accredited veterinary technology programs and these are better choices for someone who wants to be a veterinary assistant. All of these programs offer certification as a veterinary assistant, but this certification is not legally recognized or required by any state in the US.



Veterinary assisting is generally a good way to get some hands on experience and decide if you enjoy working in a veterinary facility enough to want to get a degree and move up the ladder to a more skilled position such as veterinary technician.

Answer 2

It would appear that you do not require additional education in order to be a veterinary assistant as opposed to a veterinary technician.



Front office work of the veterinary assistant can include the following responsibilities:

• Greeting patients

• Pulling charts

• Filing

• Writing charts

• Answering phones

• Taking appointments

• Escorting animals and their owners to rooms

• Weighing animals

• Selling over the counter vet medications only available through vets, like certain types of flea control

• Taking payments

• Scheduling

• Initiating collection or billing





Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers

(O*NET 31-9096.00)



Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists. Excludes nonfarm animal caretakers.



* 2008 employment: 75,200

* Projected 2008-18 employment change: Much faster than average

* Most significant source of postsecondary education or training: Short-term on-the-job training





A veterinary assistant may get a variety of hands on experience with animals, but this largely depends upon the type of practice in which they work, and who the employer is. Many vets who are parents will employ their children or other teens to work as vet assistants so they can get field experience and decide if veterinary medicine is the right career choice. James Herriot, in his books on being a Yorkshire vet in the mid 20th century, discusses how both his children were informal assistants when he would visit farms or work at his clinic. This type of training can be great for the younger or older teens interested in the field, and Herriot relates that his son later became a vet because of all the on the job practice he received.

A veterinary assistant is someone who usually has experience working in the animal care field but is not a licensed vet tech. Most veterinary assistants are responsible for doing front office work in a veterinary office, clinic or animal shelter. They can assist during surgeries or procedures as needed, but they usually cannot administer medication, give injections or do procedures on their own.



Job Description for Veterinary Assistant New Search

Prepares treatment room for examination of animals; restrains animals during examination, treatment, or inoculation. Administers injections, performs venipunctures, applies wound dressings, cleans teeth, and takes vital signs of animal. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent. May be required to be certified/licensed. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Performs a variety of tasks. Works under general supervision of a veterinarian. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.





Veterinary Assistant



Being a vet assistant is great, you get many if not most perks of a vet tech without the added bills of 2+ years of college to pay for. Currently the AVMA is working on recognizing vet assistants as a career and not just a job, Each vet clinic is going to be different including your responsibilities and pay! If your goal is to become a Vet start school as a vet tech ASAP. If being a Vet tech is your highest goal, maybe consider staying as a vet tech, start by adding up how much school will cost and then figure out how many years of work it will take to pay off school and start MAKING money! Is it worth it? Maybe???

Answer 3

Yes, you have. At least 2 years.