Becoming a Veterinary Assistant – Everything you Need to Know
Kristen Michaelides
If working with and taking care of animals is something you’re passionate about, then a career as a Veterinary Assistant is something you should seriously consider.
This guide can provide you with all of the information you need regarding requirements, qualifications, skills and experience to help you kick-start your career in the veterinary industry.
Check out this article if you’re interested in becoming a Zoologist.
What skills and qualifications will you need?
If you’re looking at becoming a veterinary assistant, there are many ways you can build up the skills and experience you need. This includes volunteering in animal shelters, completing a short course in animal care and gaining an understanding of the requirements that will help you become ready to start your career. At Shortcourses.com.au the Pet Care/VET Assistant Certificate can be completed. This is a veterinary assistant program and a certificate designed to prepare you to enter into this rewarding industry by qualifying you to work beyond a clinic, whilst also allowing you to work in a range of other environments that involve taking care of animals in need.
40%
of veterinary assistant have a certificate III or IV qualification
37.8%
have a high school diploma or lower
62.2%
have higher than a certificate III
What exactly is the Pet Care/VET Assistant Certificate?
Undertaking years of study can be demanding, long and tiring. That’s exactly why the Pet Care/VET Assistant Certificate provided by shortcourses.com.au allows you to become qualified and trained to enter into a job as a veterinary assistant in just 15 weeks.
You can enrol in this certificate at any time and complete it online so you can still carry on with other daily requirements at the same time.
This certificate will provide you with the skills necessary to adequately care for animals through feeding, bathing, as well as providing animals with affection and exercise. You can also assist veterinary doctors with important tasks such as surgeries.
Graduates of this certificate will often go on to work in wildlife centres, animal welfare centres and day-care centres; meaning it allows you to work in a range of other career areas. You’ll be trained by highly qualified professionals who will teach you everything you need to know to get started as a veterinary nurse in this fast-growing industry. Start this certificate at any time and you’ll fast be on your way to taking care of all those animals in need of care.
38.1
hours per week full-time
10,000
approximately employed as vet assistants
Veterinary Assistant Duties:
- Clean and maintain equipment
- Be in charge of feeding, exercise and grooming of animals
- Prepare and sanitise surgery areas or surgical instruments
- Handle animals and restrain them when needed
- Carry out administrative work for clinics
- Maintain animals well-being
- Look after injured animals
Most are between
20-24
years of age
Salary for vet assistants range between
$27K – $57K
on average P/A
Over the years, the demand for more veterinary assistants has grown rapidly due to the increase in pet ownership in Australia.
This means that it’s a great time to start a career in an industry with a high employment rate and high job growth. Although positions in certain clinics can be competitive, there are some great ways to increase your employment opportunities such as volunteering for clinics or other animal shelters.
This demonstrates to employers that, alongside having a qualifying certificate, you also have plenty of experience caring for animals in a hands-on environment.
If you’re interested in becoming a veterinary assistant, there are plenty of ways to be trained, qualified and ready to start in no time. Just remember that this industry area requires a significant level of passion for taking care of unwell animals.
Although it may be challenging, it’s an extremely rewarding career with a strong level of employment growth. If you love feeding, exercising, grooming and helping out fellow veterinary doctors and nurses, then a Pet Care/VET Assistant Certificate with shortcourses.com.au is a fast, effective way you can kick-start your career as a veterinary assistant.
Prepare yourself for taking care of those small animals or big animals in need, and possibly work your way up to veterinary nursing or other similar positions.
