Responsibilities
- Provide post surgery care
- Monitor and care for animals after surgery
- Clean and disinfect rooms, cages, and kennels
- Collect samples and do routine lab tests
- Prep surgery rooms by sterilizing and maintaining instruments and equipment
- Provide emergency first aid
- Give immunizations and or medications
- Feed and bathe animals
- Admit and discharge
- Monitor and care for animals after surgery
- Clean and disinfect rooms, cages, and kennels
- Collect samples and do routine lab tests
- Prep surgery rooms by sterilizing and maintaining instruments and equipment
- Provide emergency first aid
- Give immunizations and or medications
- Feed and bathe animals
- Admit and discharge
Job Environment
Generally work in clinics and animal hospitals, but others may work outside for example, in zoos or aquariums. This line of work can be both emotionally and physically demanding, for example, they may have to witness abused animals and or may have to help euthanize injured, sick, or unwanted animals.
Family Life
- Depends on where you work, if you'll be taking care of the animals before or after their surgery. As well as if there is anyone there to take the next shift since must facilities are open 24/7, you may be at work for a long time.
Typical Hours
Most facilities are open 24 hours a day, and most have staff on hand at all times. Which means assistants may have to work long hour shifts. Also may work nights, weekends, or holidays.
Stresses and Challenges
- Owners may be hard to deal with
- Work is physically demanding
- May be bitten, scratched, or kicked when dealing with scared or aggressive animals
- Emotionally demanding
- Long hours
- Work is physically demanding
- May be bitten, scratched, or kicked when dealing with scared or aggressive animals
- Emotionally demanding
- Long hours
Rewards
- Satisfaction of knowing you've helped sick or injured animals get better
- Being able to work with animals everyday
- Rarely bored
- Being able to work with animals everyday
- Rarely bored
Salary
- Outlook is very good
- Ordinary pay: $28,900
- Lowest pay: $16,490
- Highest pay: $33,780 to 41,000
- Ordinary pay: $28,900
- Lowest pay: $16,490
- Highest pay: $33,780 to 41,000
Job Outlook
The career of a Veterinary Assistant is a growing field, and is expected to grow 14% from 2010 to 2020. Employment now is around 73,200 and is expected to grow to 83,600 by 2020.