Online Veterinary Assistant Program
As more and more people bring pets into their homes, the demand for pet care professionals continues to grow. Madison School of Healthcare’s online Veterinary Assisting program provides in-depth instruction in the behavior, care, and treatment of animals relevant to working in veterinary offices nationwide. Your Veterinary Assistant program is designed to cover all of the essential skills for needed for successful work assisting a veterinary practice. Start today and graduate as few as 4 months.
In addition to our flexible, self-paced program, you’ll also participate in an externship where you will complete hands-on training in a veterinary office under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian or a credentialed veterinary technician.
Curriculum
Lesson Group 1: Orientation: Ashworth College Career Program
Learning at AshworthThe goals and values of Ashworth College; time management; creating a realistic weekly and monthly study schedule; the nature and purpose of assessments; how to study effectively to prepare for and take an online examination; developing the skill sets necessary for success in the twenty-first century.
The history of veterinary medicine; types of veterinary practices; the team approach to veterinary medicine; rolls and responsibilities of team members; personal qualifications; professionalism and ethics; laws and agencies related to veterinary practice.
Lesson Group 2: The Veterinary Office
The Business of Veterinary MedicineFront-office team members and veterinary assistant roles; greeting clients on the phone and in person; telephone triage; scheduling appointments; accounts receivable; pet health insurance; inventory control and reorder points.
General requirements and commonly used formats for medical records; records maintenance; common office forms; procedures for admitting and discharging patients.
Communication with animals and owners; the effect of body language on client communication; the human-animal bond; pet loss and grief; compassion fatigue.
Program Details
In our online Veterinary Assistant program, students learn the fundamental veterinary assisting procedures required in today’s veterinary practices. Program topics include office and hospital procedures, client relations, medication dosage and administration, animal behavior and restraint, small-animal nursing, surgical preparation, laboratory procedures, and diagnostic imaging.
Your Online Veterinary Assistant Program Includes:
- Content that covers essential skills knowledge for veterinary assisting
- Instructional and tutorial support from our experienced faculty
- Membership in Madison’s online student community
- Interactive student portal that can be accessed anytime and anywhere from your phone, tablet, or computer
Being here made me feel a part of something and I really would recommend it for anybody. There is no reason not to go to school, especially with a place like this, because it’s giving you the opportunity to better yourself and gain a sense of accomplishment.
— Susan Donaldson, Recent Graduate
Tuition
Our Veterinary Assistant training course tuition is affordable, with convenient payment options to fit your budget. Everything you need to succeed is included so you can graduate and focus on your career goals.
Payment Options
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- As low as $ a month
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Career Outlook
More than 50 million U.S. households own more than one pet, so it’s not surprising that vet assistant and laboratory animal caretakers careers are expected to grow 9% by 2024 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. You’ve picked a great time to begin veterinary assistant training. Veterinary assistants perform a variety of duties in veterinary clinics such as administering first aid, recording vital signs, comforting surgical patients, coordinating boarding schedules, ordering supplies and more. Love animals? You’ll love learning the things that a veterinary assistant does!
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6,600
NEW JOBS
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According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 6,600 new jobs will become available for veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers by 2024. |
FAQs
It’s important that the vet assistant program you choose includes the latest information on front office procedures, scheduling systems, and pet health insurance plans. Look for a program that has only the lesson content you need to know; a program that’s focused on the veterinary assisting skills you need to start your career. Your veterinary assistant program should include lessons on terminology, anatomy, physiology, behavior, restraint, nutrition, and small-animal nursing procedures. You also want a program that covers clinical veterinary assisting, including surgical preparation, laboratory procedures, and imaging procedures. A well-rounded program includes an externship that allows you to gain hands-on experience using the skills you learn during the course of your studies.
There are no textbooks required in this program. Learning guides are available online for easy access and convenience.
Students are required to make arrangements for their own externship experience according to established guidelines. Madison provides detailed instruction on the selection, approval, and requirements of externship sites during the program, but students are ultimately responsible for site selection and are responsible for all expenses incurred during the externship.
State Requirements
A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. Check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.
Ready to Get Started?
Turn your passion for animals into a meaningful career. Let Madison’s online veterinary assistant program help you get your start. Why wait? Call 1-800-600-6253 or enroll online today.
Career Outlook Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers (January 13, 2016).