Veterinary Assistant Training

If you're considering a career as a veterinarian's assistant you'll be happy to know that the job is not only fun and adventurous but pays upwards of $30k and you don't need a formal education as its real vocational hands on training. A veterinary assistant is a person with fewer or no formal animal health qualifications, who has no autonomous practice, but who is designated to assist a vet and act under their direct instruction. A great career for someone just out of high school as it builds character, and establishes responsibility and leads to possible higher education if you choose.

Veterinary Assistant Training

Veterinarian assistant may feed, water and examine animals. Vet Assistant clean and dis-infect cages and work areas. They sterilize labs and surgical instruments. Veterinary assistants also provides post-operative care, administer medically orally or topically and definitely prepares samples for laboratory examination. They are working mostly under the Veterinarian. The need for veterinary assistants is climbing above the average and if you really love working with animals you'll find you'll have your arms full of the cutest to the biggest animals.

Veterinarian Assistant Training requirementsveterinarian assistant training

You'll have to go to school and do work under a veterinarian to become a veterinarian assistant. You're talking on the outside four years of school. That's because of the state and federal guidelines for veterinarians. Its medicine and it requires top notch standards. It would be good to have your high school diploma or GED but most assistants get hands on vocational training. It's simple and to the point training but don't let that fool you into thinking it's easy. You'll have to take part in just a few weeks training if you go to a vocational training course. Not that expensive but it makes sure you know about the animals, how they're handled. You'll then be on to your college training which is going to take several years, normally about four. You'll need to know the right species, how they're best treated for the various illnesses and injuries that may befall them. You'll need to know the difference between reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds. There's going to be some hands on handling of these animals to prevent you from injuring them and them from injuring you. You'll need to know how to read the instructions of the veterinarian who is a trained medical doctor. Oral commands as well. The terminology for veterinary sciences is unique and must be fully understood to avoid any mishaps. So basically you can either pay a few dollars for training which varies greatly from state to state or work under the veterinarian and get the hands on training while being paid. There are also the drugs and medicines and repair and rescue things that you as a veterinarian assistant have to know down pat. So the more education and knowledge you have before training brings about a better requirement status than just waltzing through the door unannounced.

Veterinary Assistant Training costs

A ballpark figure for veterinarian assistants training is in the low end just over $3k per year to a high end of $14k or more per year. Quarterly and semesters range in those areas and you can bet there are lots of financial aid and loans, grants, what have you. That's because veterinarians are doctors, and need certified assistants. In some cases you can cut a deal and work with a veterinarian on some level earning money, credit and reputation thus cutting your costs. All in all, you'll have to shop around and strategize as to how much you can afford but be it known that there is help and with scholarships and more. So go for the vocational training in Veterinary.

Veterinary Assistant Salary

You'll get a big debate going on as to how much veterinarian assistants make. It's a median income that ranges from over $20k to upwards of $30k. It all depends on where you work or with whom you work with. There are also levels of duties that lead to higher pay. Rescue, emergency, hazard situations all equate into overtime and higher pay. If you work for a popular doctor expect higher pay. If you work for a veterinarian who handles specialized animals that no one else or few do, then you're looking at higher pay and higher training which builds up equity in your skills and reputation. If you work for the government, either state or federal you might have a good pay scale but benefits through the roof. The amount you save on other things like help for finding housing as in home ownership loans, health insurance, etc. makes the equity in this line of work go through the roof. With that many areas of life covered you won't have to spend money or worry about it along the way. Not only that, but if you choose government routes you'll also have more help in furthering your career with loans and financial aid. Needless to say the cushy positions are working as a veterinarian assistant for the government, working for a prestigious veterinarian in a high end center, getting that gig with the rich owner of thoroughbred animals, or believe it or not, working with a trusted, well respected veterinarian that has steady, solid business and who has come to rely on your skills. That's how veterinarian assistants get past the low salaries. Associations with quality people and fine-tuned skills.

Veterinary Assistant Career

The future is bright if you love animals. As veterinarian assistants are in increasing demand your future looks good and solid. You can finish school and get right into the thick of things having learned how to care for a vast array of animals. You can expect some very challenging and amazing adventures ahead as well as some big time smiles. People get attached to their animals as if they're family members. They go to great lengths to care for them and spend billions upon billions every year to see to their good health. Farmers have to have their animals in top condition. They can't afford to have a dairy cow or prized show animal get ill. No way. It could mean their livelihood, reputation or more. Families with pets for comfort or protection need to have that responsible medical care for them and you'll be on the front lines handling illnesses, lab tests, research and more. You'll be quite busy and you can bet that the veterinarian community has the state of the art equipment, often long before the devices are used on human beings. So expect rewarding and challenging work that pays good and sometimes excellent. Establish a career in animal medicine that could lead to your becoming a doctor. Veterinarian assistants are in demand now and will be as long as they keep making animals and the people who love them.

Whichever path you decide to pick, we hope that the information provided on our site can help you decide which career to pursue. Please feel free to share the article with your family and friends. You just never know when they might be looking for Veterinary Assistant Training.