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Home / Programs / Veterinary / Veterinary Assistant

Certificate in Veterinary Assistant

BLENDED LEARNING

Build a Rewarding Career with Veterinary Assistant Training

If you love animals more than some humans you know, a career as a Veterinary Assistant could be a rewarding path for you. Demand in the field is expected to be stronger than average through 2030, with California being the number 1 employer of Veterinary Assistants and Washington and California providing among the top 10 highest salaries. Contact Charter College today to train to become a Veterinary Assistant.

Veterinary Assistant Classes and Curriculum

The Certificate in Veterinary Assistant program provides you with the knowledge and technical skills you need to find an entry-level position as a Veterinary Assistant. In classrooms and labs, you will learn how to assist the veterinarian in the exam room, interact with animals and their owners, recommend preventative care, and use computer technology to enhance your potential for employment. In addition, you will complete assignments such as reading, exercises, problem solving, projects, research papers, and presentations.

Veterinary Assistant topics that you will cover include:

  • Small Animal Disorders and Diseases Affecting Systems Such as:
    • Musculoskeletal
    • Circulatory
    • Cardiorespiratory
    • Nervous
    • Digestive
    • Urogenital
    • Ophthalmic
    • Integumentary
    • Dental
    • Endocrinology
  • Small Animal Oncology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology
  • Small Animal Radiology and Surgical Assisting
  • Treatment, Nursing, and Lab Procedures for Small Animals
  • Legal and Ethical Standards for Small Animal Care

View the complete list of Veterinary Assistant courses in the Charter College Handbook.

Veterinary Assistant Fear Free Certification

As part of your enrollment in the Veterinary Assistant program, you are encouraged to attain Fear Free Certification. In conjunction with the curriculum, you can complete online Fear Free training certification at no extra cost. The eight-unit program teaches you how to reduce small animal anxiety triggers that cause fear in pets at home, during transportation, and while at the veterinary office. Fear Free certification can help you provide better quality animal care in the field and improve safety for the veterinary team, owner, and pet. Upon successful completion of all eight-unit exams, you will be awarded a three-year Fear Free certification and one-year membership. For more information, visit https://fearfreepets.com/.

Veterinary Assistant Externship Requirement

As part of the Veterinary Assistant training program, you are required to complete a 180-hour externship program at a local Veterinary Hospital or clinic (depending on campus).

Veterinary Assistant Program Length

40 weeks or 10 months

In as little as a year, you can get started on a rewarding career as a Veterinary Assistant. Charter College starts classes every five weeks providing unparalleled flexibility and our unique learning approach helps you to graduate on time.

Veterinary Assistant Blended Learning Delivery Method

The Certificate in Veterinary Assistant program is available in a blended learning format. The combination of classroom and online learning gives you the flexibility to balance your classwork with family, work, and other commitments.

Veterinary Assistant Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Veterinary Assistant program, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology in small animals as it relates to a veterinary assistant profession
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to perform small animal restraint during an examination
  • Evaluate and utilize the information received from an animal’s health history form
  • Perform universal precautions during different veterinary assistant tasks
  • Demonstrate the importance of professionalism, communication, and collaboration skills in the professional veterinary setting
  • Identify and describe the legal and ethical standards, guidelines, and regulations pertinent to the veterinary assistant field
  • Explain the knowledge, skills, and professional behavior necessary to perform as a competent entry-level veterinary assistant in a variety of veterinary clinic settings
  • Explain and perform appropriate administrative tasks effectively
  • Demonstrate professional communication skills using both the written and spoken word

Prepare for Entry-Level Veterinary Assistant Careers

The Certificate in Veterinary Assistant program prepares you to handle the duties and requirements of entry-level Veterinary Assistant positions. You can seek employment in animal hospitals, clinics, private veterinarian offices, laboratories, colleges, and universities.

Charter College Campuses that Offer Medical Assistant Training

The Certificate in Veterinary Assistant program is available at Charter College in Oxnard, CA and Vancouver, WA.

Female Veterinary assistant students examine dog

OCCUPATIONS THIS PROGRAM PREPARES YOU FOR:

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9096.00