How to Get a Job as a Veterinary Assistant
If you want to be a veterinarian or just like working with animals, a veterinary clinic might be a good fit for you. Veterinary assistants assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with day-to-day tasks, and we’ll go over how to find veterinary assistant job openings and how to apply.
Finding Job Openings for Veterinary Assistants
The easiest way to get an interview as a veterinary assistant is to apply to a veterinary clinic that you know is hiring. Dropping off your resume at various local clinics can sometimes result in a job offer.
Searching the Local Job Postings
Most veterinary clinics will post job openings for receptionists, kennel attendants, and veterinary assistants. Another place to look is your state’s veterinary association. The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association classifieds only had one veterinary assistant opening at the time of writing, but there are plenty of openings on Indeed.com.
Starting In a Different Position (Developing a Relationship with a Veterinary Clinic)
Many veterinary assistant positions are not advertised on job boards; instead, they are offered to someone the practice owner already knows, such as a receptionist looking to transition into part-time work directly with the animals. The more experience you gain working in a clinic, the better your resume will look.
Writing a Great Resume
If you’re applying for a job as a veterinary assistant, you’ll need to write a professional resume that demonstrates that you know what goes on inside a veterinary clinic and that you can deal with both people and animals.
Ace-ing the Veterinary Assistant Interview
Interviews can be intimidating, but with a little planning, you can impress anyone. First impressions are important, so arrive on time and dressed professionally, and be pleasant to all of the staff members and clients you meet. There are many youtube videos and online articles about how to interview well.
Related Questions
Most full-time positions require an age of 18, though some part-time positions can be filled by those as young as 16. Veterinary assistants earn between $9 and $15 per hour, according to Salary.com.
What qualifications do you need to be a vet assistant?
Many veterinary care assistants go on to study to become veterinary nurses, and the VCA qualification, combined with a full level 2 qualification in English and Mathematics (i.e. GCSE Grade C or above/Functional Skills Level 2), will provide you with the academic entry requirements for a veterinary nursing course.
Is vet assistant a good job?
Veterinary assistants have a bright future ahead of them, with a projected growth rate of 36%, or 28,500 new jobs, by 2018. Veterinary assistants require no formal education and typically receive training and experience on the job.
Are veterinary assistant in high demand?
Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers are expected to see a 16 percent increase in employment from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, owing to high turnover.
Can you make a living as a vet assistant?
u201cThe median annual Veterinary Assistant salary is $28,527, with a range of $22,985 to $34,409,u201d according to Payscale. u201cHowever, the salary for someone with the title Veterinary Assistant may vary depending on a number of factors, including industry, company size, location, years of experience, and level of education.u201d
How long does it take to become a vet assistant?
Veterinary school takes four years after completing a four-year undergraduate degree, while veterinary technologists need a four-year bachelor’s degree and veterinary technicians need a two-year associate degree. The Veterinary Assistant program can be completed in as little as nine months.
How much do vet nurses get paid?
A career as a veterinarian nurse pays between $40,000 and $50,000 per year on average, with potential for more if you specialize in surgery or rehabilitation.
Do vet assistants draw blood?
Veterinary assistants, also known as vet assistants, provide care for animals while working under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician. They may also perform lab work, such as drawing blood and collecting urine samples.
Should I be a vet tech or vet assistant?
Because vet techs have a formal education and professional certification, they are qualified to perform more advanced clinical tasks than vet assistants, who learn on the job. As a result, your salary will be higher as a vet tech than as a vet assistant.
What color scrubs do vet assistants wear?
Our Veterinary Assistants, who are dressed in royal blue, will assist our doctors by maintaining animal facilities and the animals themselves, as well as monitoring patient behavior and dealing directly with animal management and care.
What comes after vet assistant?
Veterinary assistants enjoy working with animals, and becoming a veterinary technician, who works closely with veterinarians, is one path to advancement.
How many hours do veterinarians work a day?
Most veterinarians work full-time, often more than 40 hours per week, and some work nights or weekends, as well as responding to emergencies outside of normal business hours.
| Veterinary services | $99,300 |
|---|---|
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 87,110 |
What do vet assistants make?
In California, the average annual salary for a veterinary assistant is around $29,024 per year.
Why do vet assistants make so little?
Wages of licensed vet techs are held down in most states by the large number of unlicensed techs who can do most of the same jobs, as well as the fact that the money paid to a veterinary clinic for similar amounts of work is much lower than that paid in human medicine for similar amounts of work.
Do veterinarians live comfortably?
Most veterinarians in the United States earn enough to pay off their loans and live comfortably; as they get older, they earn more and do better; however, if they start out with large loans, they may never get ahead, and some may end up living on the edge for a long time.
How can I work with animals without being a vet?
12 animal-related jobs (all of which pay fairly well)
- Veterinary assistant.
- Laboratory animal caretaker.
- Trainer.
- Veterinary technicians.
- Animal control worker.
- Conservation and forest technicians.