Veterinary Assistant

This program will prepare you to become a productive member of a veterinary team. 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. This program is designed for people who want to work at a veterinary hospital and those who are already employed in positions in which they look after animals.

"I loved that I could do my classes any time of the day...being a military spouse I don't have a lot of free time, most of the time! I wouldn't change anything! I loved it and was satisfied with everything!"- C.S., Fayetteville Technical Community College

"I very much enjoyed this course and feel that I am walking away with a wealth of knowledge in this career field."
- K.L., Southeast Missouri State University

Do you love animals? Have you ever thought about a career as a veterinary assistant? Taught by a practicing veterinarian and college instructor, this intensive program provides the information you need to work with animals in a veterinary hospital. You’ll first study the major organ systems that you’ll need to know about as a veterinary assistant. Next, you’ll move to front office duties so you can see how to work with clients and handle medical records. You'll also delve into the communication skills that come in handy for the assistant. Then the program moves to the area you're probably most interested in—the back of the hospital. You’ll see how to restrain animals for procedures, take their vital signs (temperature, pulse, and respiration rate), trim their nails, and properly bathe them. You'll also gain the expertise you need to educate clients about key topics in pet care, such as nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication. The program also shows you how you can be an asset during surgery and dental procedures by monitoring heart rate and breathing, passing instruments to the surgeon, and charting teeth. You’ll learn how to prepare prescriptions, take blood samples, perform laboratory tests, and take radiographs. The program concludes with a lesson to prepare you for the job market, in which you'll see how to create an effective resume, advance your skills, and develop strong interview skills. Upon passing this program, you’ll have the credentials and knowledge to be a valued team member in a veterinary hospital. Upon registering, you're given an initial six months to complete the program. Should you need more time, you may request a six-month extension at no additional charge.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the ed2go Veterinary Assistant Program, you'll: Understand the duties of the veterinary assistant. Learn the anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems. Master office communication skills and see how to handle medical records. Learn how to determine age and gender of animals. Find out how to restrain animals seen at the hospital. Discover how to take vital signs such as temperature, pulse, and respiration rate. Learn how to trim nails, empty anal sacs, and properly bathe animals. Identify the hazards you'll face in a veterinary hospital from anesthetics, infections, and X-rays, Explore the reproductive cycles, diseases, and sterility procedures in cats and dogs. Find out how vaccines work, when to give them, and how to administer them. Learn the basics of feline and canine nutrition, including prescription foods. Discover how to prepare prescriptions and understand the different drug classes. Learn the different ways to administer medications—orally, in eyes and ears, and by injection. Research the euthanasia process from the client's and hospital's perspectives. Learn how to take blood samples and how to restrain for the procedure. Understand what blood tests tell us, and see how to do a packed cell volume and blood smear. Learn how to collect urine and perform a urinalysis, and understand what the results mean. Explore diagnostic tests performed in the hospital on serum, skin, and feces. Find out about radiation protection and how to position an animal to for a radiograph. Recognize and alleviate pain in animals. Learn how to deal with common emergencies you'll see in a veterinary hospital. Learn how to chart teeth, perform common dental procedures, and provide client education on dentistry. Explore the life cycles, diagnosis, and treatment options for internal and external parasites. Investigate substances that can poison pets and learn about emergency treatment. Learn the names of surgical instruments and how to prepare surgical packs. Figure out how to prepare a patient for surgery and help during and after the anesthetic. Learn how to prepare an effective resume, advance your skills, and develop strong interview skills.

Outline:

Prerequisites:

A high school diploma or equivalent is recommended but not essential.

Materials:

This program is compatible with Windows, Mac, and a variety of browsers and browser versions. You will need Adobe Flash and Adobe Reader. You will need an Internet connection (high-speed is recommended) and email capability. Your tuition for this program includes this textbook: Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, by Paula Pattengale

FAQ

1. Can I register for programs if I am an international student? Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration. 2. How long does it take to complete a program? All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. Upon registering, you're given an initial six months to complete this program. Should you need more time, you may request a six-month extension at no additional charge. 3. Do I have to buy additional materials? All the materials you'll need are included, and their cost will be covered by your tuition. ed2go will ship all materials ground service upon enrollment. 4. Can I get financial assistance? ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. 5. What happens when I complete the program? Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school. 6. Am I guaranteed a job? ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don't provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering. 7. Who will be my instructor? Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. 8. What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements? In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet. You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer. 9. Can I use a Mac? Yes, you can use a Mac for this program. 10. How can I get more information about the program? If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button below). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the "Ask a question" button below. You may also call us at 1-877-221-5151. We will answer your questions promptly. 11. When can I start the program? Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready. 12. Does this program provide veterinary assistant certification? The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America has a certification program that began in 2012. Currently, this requires attending a college that also has a veterinary technician certification program. Once NAVTA creates a way for online programs to lead to certification, we will be exploring this avenue. 13. Can I work at a veterinary hospital with the training from this program? Yes. The duties that each member of the hospital can perform are regulated by the licensing board for that state or province. By taking this program, you will obtain a veterinary-specific skill set. This will put you far ahead of other applicants who haven’t shown the desire and ambition to take a program like this. This, along with your work ethic and personality are the factors that come into play in getting a position at a veterinary hospital.