A  Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Veterinary Assistants, sometimes called Veterinary Technicians, are employed by veterinarians to feed, maintain, clean, give physical comfort to, and provide related services to animals.

JOB DUTIES

Veterinary Assistants may:

Bathe animals

Brush and cut animals' hair

Clip animals' claws

Exercise animals

Feed and water animals

Shave animals before surgery

Take animals into treatment rooms

Secure restraints or hold animals during treatment

Sterilize surgical instruments and other equipment

Administer and monitor anesthesia (if a licensed Veterinary Technician)

Assist in diagnostic, medical, & surgical procedures

Perform dental prophylaxes

Take and develop x-rays

Collect and perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, and feces

To view Veterinary Technologists & Technicians at work click here .

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

410.674-010 VETERINARY ASSISTANTS are employed by veterinarians to feed, maintain, clean, give physical comfort to, and provide related services to animals.

Veterinary Assistants in veterinary clinics may also receive clients, answer telephone calls, make appointments, and accept payments on accounts. Those working in research laboratories for scientific purposes may keep careful records of weight and other characteristics and reactions of animals. All functions of Veterinary Assistants are performed under the supervision of a veterinarian.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Veterinary Assistants generally work under the supervision of a Veterinarian. However, some may be supervised by an experienced assistant. While performing routine duties, little supervision may be needed. There are some procedures, however, which Veterinarian Assistants are prohibited by law from doing, such as, diagnosing ailments, prescribing medications, or performing surgery.

Veterinary Assistants work indoors most of the time. Indoors, the work area will be well lighted and ventilated. Outdoor work may be required of Assistants who are responsible for exercising animals or who work with a Veterinarian practicing large animal medicine.

The work involved in the basic care of animals may be dirty, routine, repetitious, and demanding. They might encounter hazards such as bites or scratches and exposure to infection.

Assistants usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Some may be required to work weekends or holidays. They may work overtime during emergencies. Veterinary Assistants may be required to buy and wear lab coats or uniforms.

Veterinarian Assistants may become members of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America or various other related organizations. Members must usually pay periodic dues.

 You Should Prefer:

• Activities of a routine, concrete, organized nature

• Activities involving processes and techniques

You Should Be Able To:

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Work well with animals

• Deal pleasantly with people

• Keep track of details about an individual animal's habits

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Work without constant supervision

• Perform some clerical duties

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

For a normal dog, the amount of food it eats is dependant on its weight. For every pound the dog is, he or she eats 1/4 of an ounce of dog food. How much food does a 50 pound dog eat each day?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Aspirin and acetaminophen are painkillers, but they also have the beneficial side effect of lowering fever.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to examine a dog and then give a written report to the acting veterinarian explaining your findings.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to secure an animal while the veterinarian is performing an operation.

The State of Michigan requires a license for this occupation.  Click here  for "Michigan Licensed Occupations," see Veterinary Technician for specific licensing information.

[back to top]

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OP PORT UNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer and a High School Diploma or Equivalent may qualify for a position as a Veterinary Assistant. However, Veterinary Technicians typically receive an associate's or bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited program. Students earning a baccalaureate degree usually receive higher salaries and greater level of job responsibilities.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH, 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

009 VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

Programs in Veterinary Technology provide information concerning the normal and abnormal life processes of animals. In addition, training in routine laboratory and clinical procedures is provided in animal care settings. Veterinary Technologists work in areas such as research, x-ray technology, surgical nursing, animal anesthesiology, animal care, veterinary hospital reception, meat inspection, and public health.

The curriculum consists of lectures, laboratory, and practical experience.  Clinical experience that includes hands-on training with preceptorship, practicum, or externship is a critical component of the Veterinary Technician program.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

[back to top]

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Part-time or summer employment may be available at animal clinics, nature centers or pet shops. The Michigan Humane Society may offer a limited number of volunteer positions for persons seriously considering this occupation.

Experience may also be gained through activities in the Future Farmers of America and in the 4-H program. Postsecondary veterinary technology programs usually include co-op and internship opportunities.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Veterinary Assistant employer

internships

volunteer work with a Veterinary Assistant employer

community service work with an agency

Graduates of Veterinary Assistant training programs should register with their school placement offices. Direct application to employers and reading newspaper want ads are other methods of finding jobs. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

NAVTA Career Center

AVMA Career Center

Where Techs Connect

Veterinary Learning Systems

Veterinary Technician Relief & Recruiting

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

simplyhired.com

Indeed | one search. all jobs.

Yahoo! hotjobs

Career Builder

Michigan Talent Bank  

Classifieds Employment

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter your electronic resume on these on-line services.

[back to top]

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Veterinary Assistants' earnings vary according to their employer; geographic location; training, ability, and experience; and duties. Employers in industry generally pay the highest wages.

Nationally, the median salary (2007) of Veterinary Technicians, who were members of the American Veterinary Medical Associations , was:

The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $36,140 in 2007.

The salaries of veterinary technicians in Michigan are comparable to salaries earned nationally. Veterinary Assistants' salaries are somewhat less.

Veterinary Technicians employed by the State of Michigan earned from $28,981 to $51,970 annually (early 2008).

Annual salaries of Zoological Veterinary Technicians working for the City of Detroit ranged from $31,500 to $32,500 in early 2008, while salaries for Zoological Assistants ranged from $29,700 to $38,500.

Depending on the employer, paid vacations, sick leave, health insurance, retirement plans, and furnished uniforms are the most common benefits offered to these workers.

Veterinary Assistants advance after gaining additional education and experience. Although most courses in veterinary technology are not creditable towards completion of approved programs in veterinary medicine, a few highly qualified Assistants choose to complete 7 to 8 year programs in veterinary medicine in order to become veterinarians.

Assistants may become licensed veterinary technicians after graduating from an approved veterinary technology program. A career ladder for Veterinary Assistants may be: Veterinary Assistant; licensed veterinary technician; and veterinarian.

[back to top]

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

In 2006, there were 74,500 Veterinary Assistants employed nationwide. The total number of Veterinary Technicians and Technologists was 71,200.  Employment of Veterinary Assistants is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. However, employment for Veterinary Technicians is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.

This field is expanding, and the best opportunities will exist for Assistants who have had training and experience and who are qualified to work in laboratories. About 2.6% of Veterinary Assistants were self-employed. The industry distribution for Veterinary Assistants and Veterinary Technicians and Technologists looked like this:

 To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

There are approximately 2,050 Veterinary Assistants and 2,075 Veterinary Technicians employed in Michigan. Veterinary Technicians in Michigan worked primarily in veterinary clinics and hospitals and in animal research labs. Others worked in veterinary medicine, medical, and dental schools; zoos; for animal breeders; in meat packing companies; for government agencies; and in animal shelters.

Employment of Veterinary Assistants in Michigan is expected to grow faster than the average of all occupations through the year 2014. Veterinary Technicians' employment is expected to grow much faster than the average. An average of 150 combined annual openings is expected with 90 due to growth and 60 due to the need to replace those who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons. Additional openings will occur to replace Veterinary Assistants and Technicians who transfer to other jobs or occupations.

In Michigan, the employment opportunities for both Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants are expected to be good as veterinarians recognize new ways to use the skills of qualified paraprofessionals. Also, the increased complexity of animal health care delivery has resulted in more veterinarians delegating more routine duties to qualified Assistants.

Opportunities are best, therefore, for Assistants with the training and experience to perform varied clerical, bookkeeping, laboratory, or other activities in addition to their animal care duties.

 MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUT LOOK TO 2014

[back to top]

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

[back to top]

Copyright © 2008 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth