Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assistant badge earners complete classes in anatomy, physiology, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, nursing skills, surgical assisting, and emergency care. Individuals acquire clinical experience and understand the professional competencies of a small animal veterinary practice. Badge earners are eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant National Exam.
Program objectives:
- Comprehend basic anatomy, physiology and medical terminology
- Correctly restrain a variety of veterinary patients including birds, small animals and exotics
- Provide routine record-keeping and observation of hospitalized patients
- Complete 100 hours of clinical experience
Prerequisite
Explore the exciting role of veterinary assistant in this 12-hour course. You will learn to communicate effectively with clients and co-workers in the clinical setting and study the significance of ethics in veterinary medicine. Professional competency, basic animal handling and critical thinking when dealing with animals will also be covered. This course is a prerequisite for the Veterinary Assistant course.
Required course
Gain a competitive edge as a formally trained veterinary assistant in this NAVTA approved program. Prepare for entry level employment in a variety of veterinary settings as you learn about anatomy and physiology, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, nursing care, surgery, and emergency care. In addition to the classroom, you will gain hands on experience completing a required clinical practicum at an assigned partner clinic. Competencies must be demonstrated prior to clinical placement and a preliminary interview is conducted onsite. Attending an information session prior to enrollment is strongly recommended. You must be 18 with a high school diploma or GED, proficient in reading, writing and math and successfully complete Introduction to Veterinary Assistant course.