You must have a high school diploma and be passionate about animal welfare to become a veterinarian's assistant. Start your career by taking up a summer job in the local veterinary clinic or animal hospital.
Bachelor's degree is not mandatory but will add to your professional credentials and competence. It will enable you to move up the career ladder faster and get better monetary compensation. Career prospects are excellent for people who opt to become a veterinarian's assistant, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Enroll in a veterinary assistant certification program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) after completing your high school diploma. The duration of the certification program varies from nine months to one year, depending on the state in which you reside. It is offered at many universities across the United States.
- Find out the licensing, certification or registration requirements to be a veterinarian's assistant in your state by browsing through the website of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME). Laws governing veterinary assistants differ in each state.
- Visit a veterinarian's clinic or animal shelter in your neighborhood and volunteer to offer assistance in running the clinic. You will get hands-on experience with the various functions to be performed by a veterinarian's assistant by working in the clinic for a few weeks.
- Learn as much as you can about the proper way of handling various animals such as cats, dogs or horses. Become familiar with the standard operating procedures in the clinic by assisting the veterinary doctor in carrying out laboratory tests, treatments and surgical procedures.
You must have a high school diploma and be passionate about animal welfare to become a veterinarian's assistant. Start your career by taking up a summer job in the local veterinary clinic or animal hospital. Bachelor's degree is not mandatory but will add to your professional credentials and competence. It will enable you to move up the career ladder faster and get better monetary compensation. Career prospects are excellent for people who opt to become a veterinarian's assistant, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.