Veterinary Assistant Requirements | What You Need to be Know Before Working at a Vet Clinic

After 5 years working in the veterinary field as a vet assistant, I'm here to tell you all the veterinary assistant requirements.

If you're thinking about getting involved, let me be the first to encourage you and congratulate you on an awesome professional choice! Being part of the veterinary team led me to some of my proudest professional accomplishments, as well as unforgettable patients, owners and memories with my team.

After working in veterinary medicine for over 5 years, I know exactly what it takes from getting hired for your first vet assistant job to excelling as an essential member of the veterinary team!

If you're thinking about a career with animals, the veterinary assistant role is a perfect introduction to working with both cats dogs and sometimes a guinea pig, chameleon, sheep or rats! All of which have made their way through the small animal doors.

You can do it! 

Before I fill you in what it actually takes to be a veterinary assistant the biggest factor that determines your success is your own belief in yourself.

I know that sounds super cheesy, but trust me. Entering the veterinary field is overwhelming, especially if you're anything like me.

I was barely qualified to be anywhere near a veterinary clinic. I had NO experience in medicine or science and my only animal experience was owning my own dog.

BUT... I was willing to ask questions, jump in when needed, help animals, help my coworkers, help the clients, and take action.

If are willing to do that, you'll be employed as long as you want as a veterinary assistant!

Veterinary Assistant Job Requirements

So what exactly does a vet assistant do? The short answer: anything and everything!

The long answer: A lot of the job duties and responsibilities will come down to the individual needs of the clinic you're applying at and the legislation on the scope of practice within the state.

Here are some, (but definitely not all), of the things that could be included in a job description for a veterinary assistant:

• Room and run appointments
• Assist in treatment of animals in outpatient and surgery
• Answer phones
• Clean up after surgery and dental procedures
• Laundry
• Cleaning (anything and everything)
• Restrain animals for medical procedures and exams
• Unpack boxes
• Communicating with emotional owners in the exam room 
• Fill medications
• Utilize an electronic medical record
• Customer service
• Assisting with medical procedures such as nail trims, catheter placement, vaccine administration and euthanasias. 

Veterinary Assistant Required Education

Your education and experience will largely determine the tasks you are and aren't allowed to do as well as state laws. This is referred to as Scope of Practice.

You can find a list of Scope of Practice by state on the AAVSB website. 

You'll need to understand what the scope of practice limits are in your state, which can always be further restricted in the clinic you chose to work.

Furthermore, your title and salary usually reflect your eduction. This will largely vary by state, too.

In some states a veterinary assistant can do almost all the tasks a veterinary technician can do. In other states a vet assistant will be very limited in the tasks they can perform.

Sometimes, your official title could be a "veterinary technician assistant." I've worked as both a "veterinary assistant" and a "veterinary technician assistant" and both jobs were nearly the same, though one clinic had more distinct roles for veterinary assistants and separate roles for veterinary technicians. 

Veterinary Assistant Role Description

Things you will NOT be asked to do as a veterinary assistant or veterinary technician:

• Prescribe medication or treatment
• Perform surgery
• Attest on patient health status
• Diagnose
• Prognose

If you have a high school diploma and a resume (and of course prior animal experience doesn't hurt!), you can start sending out applications today!

Once employed it could take anywhere from 3 months to a year to become fully trained for all of the responsibilities the clinic would like you to take on.

Veterinary Assistant Salary

Your salary will largely be determined by your experience, your job responsibilities and what type of clinic you're working in.

There are assistants who have started around $10 an hour, but some assistants make up to $18-$20 an hour.

Hourly rates will be higher in cities, emergency and specialty clinics. Your hourly rate could increase if you've worked in a clinic before, or had experience in reception in a medical setting. Usually there are options for overtime too, though this varies clinic to clinic.

Right now, most clinics are desperate to hire assistants, receptionists and veterinary technicians. So, if you prove to be a good fit there's a chance for salary negotiation or sign on bonuses.

Aside from usual 401k, paid time-off and health insurance for full time employees, some clinics offer Christmas bonuses, free or discounted veterinary care and products for your own animals. 

And, it's not uncommon for clients to bring in snacks, desserts or lunch! Some clinics will even pay, or assist with obtaining your Veterinary Technician License (LVT).

Veterinary Assistant Scrubs

Some vet clinics will even provide scrubs, others provide a stipend. Either way, you don't want to miss out on the comfiest scrubs. If you're picking out your own- careful around light colors, they show every stain and hair shows easily.

I usually stick to dark greens, blues, purples, grey and black. Plus the convenient thing about Grey's Anatomy scrubs is that you can mix and match the styles since their color palette stays the same!

(ps. I am 5'2" and about 130 pounds, I wear a size small)

OH! and you'll need some super comfy shoes!! Once I found the Asics sneaker brand I never bought another brand of sneakers again!

They're great for running, and believe me, in a vet clinic you'll be running at some point. More realistically, you'll walk 2-7 miles a day!

Veterinary Assistant Resume

When you're applying for a job in the veterinary field, what you put on your resume can make a huge difference over whether you even get a call back!

Clinics LOVE to see experience in the medical field or with animal behavior or husbandry. 

So if you've pet sat for years, accomplished things with 4-H, horses, or even volunteered at a shelter, you'll want to include that on your resume! 

Share something about a time where you learned on the spot quickly! Show that you can perform with high stakes and high emotions and you'll stand out among the other applicants. 

We are animal people. We aren't in the vet field for the money. We're their for the animals. So, show that you have a good heart, some animal experience and you're willing to ask questions and you'll land the job! 

Veterinary Assistant Jobs

Once you get a call back, usually you'll participate in a regular interview, and if that goes well, likely a full working interview. 

You'll hang out with the staff, get to know the business, the environment and make sure it's a good fit for BOTH sides. 

Good luck with your career as a veterinary assistant and don't be afraid to ask questions! 

This post is all about veterinary assistant requirements and what to expect working in a veterinary clinic.