How to Become a Vet Assistant in California

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You’ve got to love a state that cares so much about pets that they’re working to pass a pet Bill of Rights in California. If you’re thinking about becoming a Veterinary Assistant in California, you’ll want to train for the role and get some hands-on experience before you begin your job search. Look for California Vet Assistant programs that teach the basics and also help you develop your knowledge, skills, and professionalism.

Enroll in a California Vet Assistant Training Program

Although you may have experience bathing and feeding your own pet, as a Vet Assistant, you need professional skills to handle all kinds of pets and their people. A California Veterinary Assistant training program can show you what a veterinarian’s office is really like and prepare you for future employment. Your program should be taught by professionals who have experience in the field of veterinary medicine. They can teach you how to:

  • Understand animal anatomy and physiology
  • Recognize specific animal illnesses and injuries
  • Administer animal medications
  • Clean and sanitize kennels and workstations
  • Properly bathe, feed, and groom animals
  • Work with small-boned animals including rabbits, birds, reptiles, and exotic animals
  • Take animal health histories
  • Schedule appointments and follow-ups for clients

Your training program should include a mix of classroom work and practice in a lab that simulates a veterinary office.

Earn Fear Free Certification in California

It’s normal for animals to feel anxious at the vet’s office. But a nervous pet can make the job a lot harder for you, the vet, and even the pet owner. That’s why getting the Fear Free Certification is such an important part of your training. It teaches you how to reduce anxiety triggers in your furry and feathery patients. Through eight-unit modules and exams, you learn to identify the common causes of anxiety at home, during transportation, and in the vet’s office. And you learn valuable techniques to keep animals calm and cooperative during their visit. After you complete the coursework, you receive a Fear Free Certificate that you can proudly add to your resume.

Complete a California Vet Assistant Externship

As part of your training program, you should complete an externship that places you at a local veterinary facility. Under the supervision of a veterinarian or veterinary technician, you can put your knowledge into practice. Your externship can be your very first veterinary work experience so you can add it to your resume. During the externship, you get to work with pets and also interact with their owners so you can practice pet care and customer service. And you get a true sense of what your future job will be like. Use this opportunity to ask questions and gain insights into the job that will help you as you launch your new career.

Meet California Vet Assistant State Requirements

While you don’t need to be licensed as a Vet Assistant in California, if you want to perform certain duties on the job, you’ll need to meet specific requirements outlined by the state board. For example, if you want to administer medication, you must pass a background screening by the state. If you want to take X-rays, you will need to be trained to do the procedure and even then, can only perform this task under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Look for a Job as a Veterinary Assistant in California

You can look for open vet assistant openings on job sites like Indeed and ZipRecruiter. You might also look at vet-specific boards like the California Veterinary Medical Association or the American Animal Hospital Association. Or you can see if there are any openings at veterinarian medical facilities like Oxnard Veterinary Hospital or Cottage Animal Hospital. You can also create a LinkedIn profile and search for jobs and connect with employers.

Are you ready to pursue a career of passion? If you love animals, we can help! Charter College offers a Certificate in Veterinary Assistant that can prepare you for entry-level work in the field. The program can be completed in as little as one year and is offered in blended learning format for your flexibility and convenience. Call 888-200-9842 or fill out the form to learn more.