Online Veterinary Assistant Training

Become a Veterinary Assistant

Veterinary assistants take charge of making sure office visits and procedures go smoothly for animals under veterinary care. Our 100% online course will train you to become a veterinary assistant, so you can turn your love of animals into a rewarding career.

Job Outlook for Veterinary Assistant

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a veterinary assistant is currently just over $26,000 per year. 

Jobs are expected to increase by 19% through 2026, which is considered much faster than average positions. There should be plenty of job opportunities for veterinary assistants regardless of location.

WHAT DOES A VETERINARY ASSISTANT DO? 
The number one job of a veterinary assistant is to support the veterinarian as well as veterinarian technicians with basic tasks. Veterinary assistants typically feed, weigh, bathe and take the temperature of animals. They may also help give medication, clean cages and help restrain animals during treatment or other medical procedures as needed. 

DO VETERINARY ASSISTANTS HANDLE ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES?
Some veterinary assistants perform clerical work such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers. As a vet assistant, you may handle many of the logistical and operating duties, such as check-in, billing and after visit care. Duties will vary depending on the office you work in, but every task is to ensure the health and well-being of animals inside the veterinary practice.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VETERINARY ASSISTANT AND VETERINARY TECHNICIAN? 
Veterinary assistants are typically trained through a certificate program to help with basic duties. Veterinary technicians, on the other hand, have a formal education and work as the nurse of a veterinarian. Veterinary technicians need two-year associate degrees accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

CAN I GO FROM A VETERINARY ASSISTANT TO A VETERINARY TECHNICIAN? 
Yes. If you pursue additional education and licensing, you could become a veterinary technician. Working as a vet assistant is a great first step to understanding the industry, different specialties and advanced duties required to work as a vet technician.

Course Objectives

• Anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems
• Handling medical records and communicate with clients and coworkers
• Restraining animals for procedures, take vital signs, and bathe them
• Nutrition, vaccinations and administering medication
• Preparing prescriptions, taking blood samples and radiographs

 Prerequisites and Requirements

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Curriculum

GETTING STARTED 
WELCOME TO THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL 
GETTING READY FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT 
PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 1: DIRECTIONAL SIGNS AND THE SKELETAL SYSTEM 
PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 2: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, ENDOCRINE SYSTEM, AND MUSCLES AND JOINTS 
PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 3: THE CIRCULATORY AND RESPIRATORY SYSTEMS 
PHYSIOLOGY AND ANATOMY 4: THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM, UROGENITAL SYSTEM, LIVER, AND SPLEEN 
FRONT OFFICE DUTIES: RECORDS, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND CLIENT RELATIONS 
MORE FRONT OFFICE TIPS, AND DETERMINING AGE AND GENDER OF KITTENS AND PUPPIES 
CANINE RESTRAINT 
FELINE AND EXOTIC RESTRAINT 
THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: PROCEDURES, RESTRAINT, AND VITAL SIGNS 
EVERYDAY PROCEDURES FOR THE VETERINARY ASSISTANT 
WORKPLACE HAZARDS AND INFECTION CONTROL 
THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE AND STERILIZATION PROCEDURES 
VACCINOLOGY 
NUTRITION BASICS AND PRESCRIPTION FOODS 
PRESCRIPTIONS: PREPARING AND CALCULATING DOSES 
PRESCRIPTIONS: TYPES OF MEDICATIONS AND WHAT THEY DO 
GIVING MEDICATIONS 
THE EUTHANASIA PROCESS 
TAKING BLOOD SAMPLES 
INTERPRETING BLOOD TESTS AND HANDLING BLOOD 
URINE COLLECTION, HANDLING, AND INTERPRETATION 
TESTS: SEROLOGY, SCRAPINGS, SMEARS, FLOTATIONS, AND NECROPSIES 
RADIOGRAPHS AND PERSONAL SAFETY 
RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING 
PAIN RECOGNITION AND EMERGENCY CARE 
DENTISTRY: CHARTING, TOOTH DISEASE, AND DENTAL CARE 
EXTERNAL PARASITES: FLEAS, TICKS, MITES, AND MORE 
PARASITES OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AND HEART 
POISONINGS IN PETS 
SURGERY 1: PREPARING THE PATIENT 
SURGERY 2: YOUR ROLE DURING AND AFTER 
UNDERSTANDING ANIMAL BEHAVIOR 
THE JOB SEARCH AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES 

Instructor

Jeff Grognet

Jeff Grognet has been a companion animal veterinarian for 25 years. He was a pioneer in the field of veterinary assistant teaching, developing his first course more than 18 years ago. Due to the success of his veterinary receptionist/assistant courses, he expanded his teaching into other high-demand areas including pet first aid and alternative medical therapies for companion animals. He practices at a veterinary hospital and contributes regularly to several magazines.