Veterinary Assistant
- 6 Months
- 225 Course Hours
- $2,145
Overview
Start Your Career in the Veterinary Industry
Do you love animals? Have you ever thought about a career as a veterinary assistant? This intensive course will provide the information you need to become a productive member of a veterinary team. The course is designed for people who want to work as veterinary assistants at veterinary hospitals and for those already employed in related positions. Upon completion of the course, you will also have the opportunity to gain access to an Externship Starter Kit.
Are you looking for veterinary assistant schools near you? The course covers all the requirements that hospitals and veterinarians' offices look for, and more! You'll learn about every aspect of veterinary assisting, including anatomy and physiology, animal restraint, laboratory sample collection, assisting in surgery and dentistry, prescription preparation, and taking radiographs.
You'll also learn how to interact professionally with clients and gain the expertise you need to educate them about key topics in pet care, such as nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication. The course concludes with a lesson to prepare you for the job market, in which you'll see how to create an effective resume, advance your expertise, and develop strong interview skills. You will truly learn everything you need to know to be successful in your new career.
What you will learn
- The anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems.
- How to handle medical records and communicate with clients and coworkers.
- How to restrain animals for procedures, take vital signs, and bathe them.
- All about nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication.
- How to assist during surgery and dental procedures.
- Preparation of prescriptions and taking blood samples and radiographs.
How you will benefit
- Upon passing this course, you’ll have the credentials and knowledge to be a valued team member in a veterinary hospital.
- You will be able to use your instructor as a professional reference.
- Assistance from our Externship Coordinator and access to our Externship Starter Kit.
How this course is taught
- This is a non-credit program offered in partnership with ed2go. You do not have to be admitted to the university to enroll in this program.
- This is an open enrollment program, which means you can enroll and start at any time. There are no set start and end dates.
- This course is entirely online and can be completed at a pace and time that is convenient for you. There are not set times you must attend classes.
- You will have 6-months from the date of enrollment to complete this program.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course. A high school diploma or equivalent is recommended but not essential.
Job Outlook
Veterinary assistants work with veterinarians to help treat illnesses and injuries of various animals. They may be responsible for exercising, feeding and bathing animals, as well as cleaning and disinfecting their cages and exam rooms.
Requirements
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows XP or later.
- Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
- Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, by Paula Pattengale
Curriculum
Getting Started file
Welcome to the Veterinary Hospital file
Getting Ready for Your First Visit file
Physiology and Anatomy 1: Directional Signs and the Skeletal System file
Physiology and Anatomy 2: The Nervous System, Endocrine System, and Muscles and Joints file
Physiology and Anatomy 3: The Circulatory and Respiratory Systems file
Physiology and Anatomy 4: The Digestive System, Urogenital System, Liver, and Spleen file
Front Office Duties: Records, Confidentiality, and Client Relations file
More Front Office Tips, and Determining Age and Gender of Kittens and Puppies file
Canine Restraint file
Feline and Exotic Restraint file
The Physical Examination: Procedures, Restraint, and Vital Signs file
Everyday Procedures for the Veterinary Assistant file
Workplace Hazards and Infection Control file
The Reproductive Cycle and Sterilization Procedures file
Vaccinology file
Nutrition Basics and Prescription Foods file
Prescriptions: Preparing and Calculating Doses file
Prescriptions: Types of Medications and What They Do file
Giving Medications file
The Euthanasia Process file
Taking Blood Samples file
Interpreting Blood Tests and Handling Blood file
Urine Collection, Handling, and Interpretation file
Tests: Serology, Scrapings, Smears, Flotations, and Necropsies file
Radiographs and Personal Safety file
Radiographic Positioning file
Pain Recognition and Emergency Care file
Dentistry: Charting, Tooth Disease, and Dental Care file
External Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, Mites, and More file
Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Heart file
Poisonings in Pets file
Surgery 1: Preparing the Patient file
Surgery 2: Your Role During and After file
Understanding Animal Behavior file
The Job Search and Future Opportunities file
Instructor
FAQs
Overview
Start Your Career in the Veterinary Industry
Do you love animals? Have you ever thought about a career as a veterinary assistant? This intensive course will provide the information you need to become a productive member of a veterinary team. The course is designed for people who want to work as veterinary assistants at veterinary hospitals and for those already employed in related positions. Upon completion of the course, you will also have the opportunity to gain access to an Externship Starter Kit.
Are you looking for veterinary assistant schools near you? The course covers all the requirements that hospitals and veterinarians' offices look for, and more! You'll learn about every aspect of veterinary assisting, including anatomy and physiology, animal restraint, laboratory sample collection, assisting in surgery and dentistry, prescription preparation, and taking radiographs.
You'll also learn how to interact professionally with clients and gain the expertise you need to educate them about key topics in pet care, such as nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication. The course concludes with a lesson to prepare you for the job market, in which you'll see how to create an effective resume, advance your expertise, and develop strong interview skills. You will truly learn everything you need to know to be successful in your new career.
What you will learn
- The anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems.
- How to handle medical records and communicate with clients and coworkers.
- How to restrain animals for procedures, take vital signs, and bathe them.
- All about nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication.
- How to assist during surgery and dental procedures.
- Preparation of prescriptions and taking blood samples and radiographs.
How you will benefit
- Upon passing this course, you’ll have the credentials and knowledge to be a valued team member in a veterinary hospital.
- You will be able to use your instructor as a professional reference.
- Assistance from our Externship Coordinator and access to our Externship Starter Kit.
How this course is taught
- This is a non-credit program offered in partnership with ed2go. You do not have to be admitted to the university to enroll in this program.
- This is an open enrollment program, which means you can enroll and start at any time. There are no set start and end dates.
- This course is entirely online and can be completed at a pace and time that is convenient for you. There are not set times you must attend classes.
- You will have 6-months from the date of enrollment to complete this program.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites to take this course. A high school diploma or equivalent is recommended but not essential.
Job Outlook
Veterinary assistants work with veterinarians to help treat illnesses and injuries of various animals. They may be responsible for exercising, feeding and bathing animals, as well as cleaning and disinfecting their cages and exam rooms.
Requirements
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows XP or later.
- Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
- Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, by Paula Pattengale
Curriculum
Getting Started file
Welcome to the Veterinary Hospital file
Getting Ready for Your First Visit file
Physiology and Anatomy 1: Directional Signs and the Skeletal System file
Physiology and Anatomy 2: The Nervous System, Endocrine System, and Muscles and Joints file
Physiology and Anatomy 3: The Circulatory and Respiratory Systems file
Physiology and Anatomy 4: The Digestive System, Urogenital System, Liver, and Spleen file
Front Office Duties: Records, Confidentiality, and Client Relations file
More Front Office Tips, and Determining Age and Gender of Kittens and Puppies file
Canine Restraint file
Feline and Exotic Restraint file
The Physical Examination: Procedures, Restraint, and Vital Signs file
Everyday Procedures for the Veterinary Assistant file
Workplace Hazards and Infection Control file
The Reproductive Cycle and Sterilization Procedures file
Vaccinology file
Nutrition Basics and Prescription Foods file
Prescriptions: Preparing and Calculating Doses file
Prescriptions: Types of Medications and What They Do file
Giving Medications file
The Euthanasia Process file
Taking Blood Samples file
Interpreting Blood Tests and Handling Blood file
Urine Collection, Handling, and Interpretation file
Tests: Serology, Scrapings, Smears, Flotations, and Necropsies file
Radiographs and Personal Safety file
Radiographic Positioning file
Pain Recognition and Emergency Care file
Dentistry: Charting, Tooth Disease, and Dental Care file
External Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, Mites, and More file
Parasites of the Gastrointestinal Tract and Heart file
Poisonings in Pets file
Surgery 1: Preparing the Patient file
Surgery 2: Your Role During and After file
Understanding Animal Behavior file
The Job Search and Future Opportunities file
Instructor
FAQs
Registration Information
This is a Mississippi WIOA approved program. Those interested in seeing if they qualify to use WIOA funding to pay for this training should contact their local MS WIN Job Center.
The Veterinary Assistant program is 100% online and allows you to enroll at any time. After enrolling you will have 6-months to complete the program at a pace that is convenient for you. You can get started today by clicking the "Enroll Now" button below and completing your registration at our partner ed2go site.