Q. I am a senior in animal sciences and I am in the process of applying to veterinary school. I am currently writing my personal statement, and I am a bit baffled on what to write exactly since there are so many different approaches I could use to write the essay. Does anyone have any advice, or perchance is anyone on an admissions board of sorts and wants to give me some insight?? Thanks!
A. Believe it or not they want a personal statement. Something about you, what makes you special? What will you bring to the class? Have you done unusual volunteer work (like at a zoo)? Have you travelled? Are you published?
They also want to know what your goals are. Will you focus on large animal veterinary medicine? Small animal? Work for the ASPCA? Be concise. This is also going to be a measure of your writing skills.
They also want to know what your goals are. Will you focus on large animal veterinary medicine? Small animal? Work for the ASPCA? Be concise. This is also going to be a measure of your writing skills.
What is the best way to become a veterinary assistant?
Q. I want to eventually become a veterinary assistant. I called my local college and they said it takes 1 1/2 years - 2 years (depending on math skill, etc.) along with work study (where the vet trains you). Then about 5 years working to become a veterinary technician. Does anyone think the college thing is a waste of time or a benefit? And does anyone know how much a vet assistant and technician make? Thanks!
A. Ok, I am wondering where you are located because I know of no state in the US that requires 5 years to become a veterinary technician. I would be concerned about the quality of the information that you were given by whomever you spoke to at the college.
The difference between a veterinary techician and a veterinary assistant are the education and credentialling requirements.
No state in the US has any educational requirements for working as a veterinary ASSISTANT. This is an entry level-position in a veterinary facility and training is generally done on the job. There are voluntary educational opportunities, however these are not equivalent to a college degree program and are instead basic vocational training. There is no over-sight by a professional body to ensure that the majority of these programs provide adequate or correct information. There is no requirement for hands-on training and instructors often have little or no experience or education in the veterinary field. There are a handful of certification programs that are designed and approved by veterinary professional organizations or that are offered by colleges which also offer accredited veteirnary technology programs and these are better choices for someone who wants to be a veterinary assistant. This is an entry level position for working in the veterinary field and is not a recognized profession in any state.
Veterinary technicians are required (in most states) to have a 2 year degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program, to have passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam and a state exam in order to be credentialed. It is possible to get a 4 year bachelors degree in veterinary technology but it is NOT required in any state in the US in order to become credentialed or work as a veterinary technician.
The American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a list of accredited degree programs on their website: Inhttp://www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_programs/vettech_programs.asp
In some states, the use of the title "veterinary technician" and the practice of veterinary technology is recognized as profession and licensure is required. In other states, veterinary technicians are registered or certified. The laws that govern veterinary technicians vary from state to state so for specific information on the laws a person should check their state veterinary practice act or contact their state veterinary licensing board.
Whether your state REQUIRES credentialing to work as a veterinary technician, the education is never "a waste of time". Consider that veterinary technicians make life and death decisions concerning the care of your (and other clients') pets every day. Don't you think that the people being paid to make those sorts of decisions and provide health care for your pet should actually KNOW about veterinary care and nursing?
Veterinary assistants tend to make close to minimum wage. Veterinary technicians will generally make more due to their education and increased abilities, but it is still not a great paying job. To find out numbers for your state, you should contact your state veterinary technician association or veterinary medical association as pay scales vary from state to state.
I would also contact your state veterinary technician association or veterinary medical licensing board to find out the TRUE story about the exact requirements for working as a veterinary technician in your state. They may require nothing at all or they may require a degree in veterinary technology but they won't require a 5 year degree.
If you happen to be in Texas, you can email me with questions.
The difference between a veterinary techician and a veterinary assistant are the education and credentialling requirements.
No state in the US has any educational requirements for working as a veterinary ASSISTANT. This is an entry level-position in a veterinary facility and training is generally done on the job. There are voluntary educational opportunities, however these are not equivalent to a college degree program and are instead basic vocational training. There is no over-sight by a professional body to ensure that the majority of these programs provide adequate or correct information. There is no requirement for hands-on training and instructors often have little or no experience or education in the veterinary field. There are a handful of certification programs that are designed and approved by veterinary professional organizations or that are offered by colleges which also offer accredited veteirnary technology programs and these are better choices for someone who wants to be a veterinary assistant. This is an entry level position for working in the veterinary field and is not a recognized profession in any state.
Veterinary technicians are required (in most states) to have a 2 year degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited veterinary technology program, to have passed the Veterinary Technician National Exam and a state exam in order to be credentialed. It is possible to get a 4 year bachelors degree in veterinary technology but it is NOT required in any state in the US in order to become credentialed or work as a veterinary technician.
The American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a list of accredited degree programs on their website: Inhttp://www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_programs/vettech_programs.asp
In some states, the use of the title "veterinary technician" and the practice of veterinary technology is recognized as profession and licensure is required. In other states, veterinary technicians are registered or certified. The laws that govern veterinary technicians vary from state to state so for specific information on the laws a person should check their state veterinary practice act or contact their state veterinary licensing board.
Whether your state REQUIRES credentialing to work as a veterinary technician, the education is never "a waste of time". Consider that veterinary technicians make life and death decisions concerning the care of your (and other clients') pets every day. Don't you think that the people being paid to make those sorts of decisions and provide health care for your pet should actually KNOW about veterinary care and nursing?
Veterinary assistants tend to make close to minimum wage. Veterinary technicians will generally make more due to their education and increased abilities, but it is still not a great paying job. To find out numbers for your state, you should contact your state veterinary technician association or veterinary medical association as pay scales vary from state to state.
I would also contact your state veterinary technician association or veterinary medical licensing board to find out the TRUE story about the exact requirements for working as a veterinary technician in your state. They may require nothing at all or they may require a degree in veterinary technology but they won't require a 5 year degree.
If you happen to be in Texas, you can email me with questions.
What are some tips for being a veterinary technician assistant?
Q. The job I have a working interview for does not call it a veterinary assistant position. They call it veterinary technican assistant, where one would be assisting the technician with fecals, blood work, monitoring anesthesia, UA's, filling prescriptions,etc. Perhaps this IS the role of a veterinary assistant and this vet is just using a different type name for it.
Anyway, any tips for working this type of position? I have been a veterinary receptionist, but have never helped out in the back. I would really like this job, so any tips, or advice would be great!! Thanks.
Anyway, any tips for working this type of position? I have been a veterinary receptionist, but have never helped out in the back. I would really like this job, so any tips, or advice would be great!! Thanks.
A. Keep your eyes open, take notes and don't be afraid to ask why or how something is done. Then after each day's work go home and read over your notes from that day on procedures at the clinic and then review them again before you go into work. This will help you to pick up on things much more quickly.
Ask your employer if they have training videos that you can take home to watch. Or if they have a training manuel that you can read.
There are great resources out there for training veterinary assistants (veterinary technician assistant is another term for it), including online programs that are offered through colleges or by companies run by veterinary professionals and these can really help give you an edge by giving you alot of basic information that can be used in any veterinary facility. One of these programs that you can do online is: http://www.4rsvp.com/cva-classes/ Or you can review training vidoes from http://site.4act.com/training-your-staff/
And if you really like the work, consider getting your degree in veterinary technology so that you can become a credentialed veterinary technician
Ask your employer if they have training videos that you can take home to watch. Or if they have a training manuel that you can read.
There are great resources out there for training veterinary assistants (veterinary technician assistant is another term for it), including online programs that are offered through colleges or by companies run by veterinary professionals and these can really help give you an edge by giving you alot of basic information that can be used in any veterinary facility. One of these programs that you can do online is: http://www.4rsvp.com/cva-classes/ Or you can review training vidoes from http://site.4act.com/training-your-staff/
And if you really like the work, consider getting your degree in veterinary technology so that you can become a credentialed veterinary technician
What are some accredited online classes for veterinary assisting?
Q. What are some accredited schools that offer veterinary assistant programs? There are no community colleges in my area that offer that program. Please reply.
I tried Penn Foster but I did not qualify (i found out later that it is a for-profit school?)
Uscareerinstitute, etc.
I tried Penn Foster but I did not qualify (i found out later that it is a for-profit school?)
Uscareerinstitute, etc.
A. There aren't any. Veterinary assistant programs are not accredited by the AVMA or any other veterinary organization. Little to no value is placed on these programs by veterinarians. You can work as a veterinary assistant without any formal education. If you want to attend a program for veterinary support personnel try veterinary technicians instead. There are a handful of on-line vet tech programs that are AVMA accredited. You can find a list here: http://www.avma.org/education/cvea/vettech_distance_learning.asp
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