How to Become a Veterinary Assistant: Education & Qualifications

If you love animals, becoming a veterinary assistant is the fastest way to start a career working with them.

Since veterinary assistants don't need a lot of formal education or training, you can start work as soon as you get your high school diploma.

Certification programs are optional but might distinguish you from other applicants and help you earn more money.

What Is a Veterinary Assistant?

A veterinary assistant is an entry-level veterinary career you can enter with little to no training or education.

Veterinary assistants are typically the first people pet owners encounter at a vet's office. They often complete many tasks to keep the office running.

If you're looking for an exciting, interesting, and challenging job working with animals, you'd potentially love being a veterinary assistant.

Education and Training

All veterinary assistants have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Beyond that, no formal education is required.

This distinguishes veterinary assistants from veterinary technicians, who have at least an associate degree.

There is an optional certification offered by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVT).

This certification isn't usually required by veterinary offices but might help a veterinary assistant find a higher-paying position.

Job Duties

Vet assistants are basically the lowest-ranking employees at a veterinary office and work under the supervision of veterinarians and vet techs.

Because this is an entry-level position, a vet assistant's workday is extremely varied. They will help out in whatever way is needed.

Their job duties consist of basic animal care duties including:

• administering medications and immunizations
• collecting blood, tissue, or urine samples
• bathing and exercising animals
• cleaning and disinfecting wounds
• restraining animals for exams or lab tests
• caring for animals before and after procedures

In addition to taking care of the animals that come for checkups and procedures, veterinary assistants perform office duties including:

• cleaning and sanitizing equipment
• answering phones
• scheduling appointments
• maintaining veterinary records
• communicating with pet owners

Because they handle animals, veterinary assistants need strength and dexterity. Steady hands are often needed to hold animals still.

Work Environment

Most veterinary assistants work in local veterinary offices and animal care clinics. Some also work in larger animal hospitals.

Because they frequently deal with injured and frightened animals, a vet assistant's job can be dangerous at times.

It's not uncommon for a veterinary assistant to be scratched or bitten by an animal in their care.

Hours are varied. Some veterinary assistants work part-time, but for most, this is a full-time job.

Depending on the hours when the office is open, veterinary assistants might work nights and weekends. Saturday work is common.

Job Outlook

The BLS projects overall employment of veterinary assistants to grow 19% from 2021 to 2031.

This growth rate is a lot higher than the average growth rate for all occupations, so it's never been a better time to start this career.

An estimated 23,900 new openings for veterinary assistants are predicted each year.

Demand for veterinary assistants is increasing in large part due to the increasing number of household pets across the country.

States with the highest numbers of veterinary assistant job openings include Maine, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and North Carolina.

Steps to Becoming a Veterinary Assistant

If you're interested in becoming a veterinary assistant, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Get Your High School Diploma or the Equivalent

All veterinary assistants have either their high school diploma or an equivalent, such as a GED. It would be smart to really focus on your biology and math classes during high school.

Most veterinary offices require a high school education for veterinary assistants.

However, you might be able to get a part-time job as a receptionist in a veterinary office while you're still in high school.

Step 2: Gain Experience Working with Animals

Veterinary assistants work with a lot of different kinds of animals and need experience to understand how to handle them.

Any experience you can get will help prepare you for a career as a veterinary assistant, such as working at a pet store.

You might also pet sit or work as a dog walker to gain experience handling dogs and cats, which are the most common pets.

Volunteering at a local animal shelter is another way to get some great experience working with animals.

Step 3: Earn Certification to Distinguish Yourself

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVT) offers voluntary veterinary assistant certification.

While this certification isn't typically required by veterinary offices, it can help distinguish you from other applicants.

Many local community colleges offer veterinary assistant programs that are designed to prepare you for certification.

Taking one of these programs shows potential employers that you are dedicated and committed to your career.

Step 4: Continue Your Education to Advance

While working as a veterinary assistant, you might find that you'd like to move to a more advanced role in the veterinary field.

With an associate degree, you can take on more responsibility as a veterinary technician.

Many of these programs are offered online so you can take your courses while continuing your work as a veterinary assistant.

Become a Veterinary Assistant Today

Thankfully, you can become a veterinary assistant without much schooling and training. Start your career by following these steps today.