Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete a Certificate in Veterinary Assisting and enter the workforce. The Veterinary Assistant certificate program provides training in veterinary health and handling of a variety of domestic animals with the focus on tasks for assisting the Veterinary Technician and Veterinarians to become a part of the veterinary medical team. Completion of all course work is required before the student is eligible for a private-practice internship. After completion of the program graduates are eligible to sit for the National Assistant exam to become an Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA). Please see the NAVTA web page at: https://www.navta.net/veterinary-assistants-program/ for more information.
Learn more about this program.
What You Will Learn
The NAVTA approved Veterinary Assistant program provides education in veterinary health and handling of a variety of domestic, exotic, and large animal species with emphasis on assisting the entire veterinary team. Upon completion of the Veterinary Assistant certificate you will be able to:
1. Maintain a clean and safe work environment by utilizing patient and personnel safety measures
2. Assist with client relations and front desk responsibilities emphasizing professional communication and conduct
3. Demonstrate knowledge of clinical pharmacology to perform inventory procedures, label and package dispensed drugs correctly, and recognize legal issues involving all therapeutic drugs
4. Perform examination room procedures, such as properly restrain small animals, pocket pets and exotics while maintaining a fear free approach
5. Perform basic small animal procedures and obtain vital physiologic data recognizing normal versus abnormal values
6. Recognize different breeds of dogs and cats and normal versus abnormal animal behavior
7. Assist with small animal nursing procedures, provide routine record keeping and observation of hospitalized patients
8. Assist in performing surgical preparation including sterilization of instrumentation and supplies, patient preparation, surgical suite equipment maintenance
9. Assist in a variety of laboratory set-up procedures including urinalysis, fecal flotations, blood samples, ectoparasites, and necropsy
10. Perform radiology safety measures and assist with the completion of diagnostic radiographs
My Academic Plan
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your certificate. This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| VET 1002 | Veterinary Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 1003 | Veterinary Assistant Restraint & Handling | 2 |
| VET 1020 | Office Procedures & Relations | 2 |
| VET 1009 | Applied Companion Animal Behavior | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Semester Note: These courses are offered only in the Fall semester.
Spring Semester 2
| VET 1004 | Assistant Large Animal Nursing | 1 |
| VET 1017 | Veterinary Assistant Surgery & Nursing Care | 2 |
| VET 1014 | Vet Asst Lab & Clin Procedures | 3 |
| VET 1083 | Internship | 2.25 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8.25 |
Semester Note: These courses are offered only in the Spring semester.