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A veterinary assistant job is a perfect one only for those people who would not mind spending all working days around animals.
Even though your ability to hug cats and pet dogs can help you in becoming a veterinary assistant, you should know that it is not the only skill that you need and that would not be your only task.
Before you even consider becoming a veterinary assistant, it is important to recognize the differences between the various roles in a typical veterinary clinic and the obligations and responsibilities that go with this role.
The larger the clinic, the greater the demands, and duties.
Earn your accredited, affordable Veterinary Assistant career diploma online with Penn Foster in as little as 12 months!
Article Table of Contents
Job Description
If you consider that a veterinary hospital is a place of equal significance as the human hospital and that animals deserve equal treatment as humans, then you should try your luck with a veterinary assistant job.
Their everyday tasks are to support veterinarians, provide basic care for pets and non-farm animals.
Where will they work depends on the location of the veterinarian?
Typically they work in animal hospitals or veterinary clinics, but can also have some fieldwork.
Usually, they work in shifts, but in those clinics which offer accommodation after the intervention, they might also have night work and work on holidays and weekends.
Their duties include feeding, bathing animals, exercising them, disinfecting exam rooms, administer medications or vaccinations among many others.
Becoming a Veterinary Assistant in Georgia
In an animal clinic, just a part of the whole job is based on veterinarians themselves.
All the staff working there has a role in dealing with pets and pet owners.
That is why a veterinary assistant should be a person who possesses some kind of knowledge related to that field.
The state of Georgia does require formal education for a veterinary assistant because they work under the supervision of a veterinarian.
On the other hand, veterinarians rely on them and that justifies their demand for educated and certified individuals when choosing their future employee.
People with a high school diploma may also get the job, but the priority is given to those that have a license.
Several programs across the country offer training and practice in a real environment and several community colleges and high schools have begun working veterinary assistant optional courses into their vocational programs.
Some of the campus and programs that offer this kind of education in Georgia are:
- Middle Georgia Technical College
- Ogeechee Technical College
- University of Georgia
Requirements
If students take veterinary assistant classes during their high school, they are allowed to take the NAVTA certification exam upon graduation.
NAVTA is the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America which offers three online programs for veterinary assistants, including Penn Foster, Animal Behavior College, and VetMedTeam.
However, NAVTA’s programs are not compulsory to become a veterinary assistant, but they provide you with a chance of practicing your skills and achieving the necessary education to be a successful veterinary assistant.
You learn there how to identify the causes of disease, lab procedures, and treatment methods.
NAVTA also has options for people who are already veterinary assistants and are working full-time to sharpen their skills.
The programs usually take six months to a year.
Getting a Job
Having the certificate or not, you can search for an appropriate job as a veterinary assistant. You can potentially work in animal shelters, veterinary hospitals, and clinics and zoos.
Georgia has to offer clinics and hospitals where future veterinary assistants can work.
Some of them are:
- VCA Animal Hospitals
- VCA Carrollton Animal Hospital
- VCA Columbia Animal Hospital
- VCA Roswell Animal Hospital
- VCA Greater Savannah Animal Hospital
- Banfield Pet Hospital
- Macon
- Augusta
- Savannah
- Vetco Wellness Centers and Vaccination Clinics inside PETCO
- Located in Alpharetta Gardens Petco
- Located in Atlanta Petco
- Located in Peachtree City Petco
- Located in Buford Petco
These clinics are well known and respected due to the numerous awards achieved for the great care of all kinds of pets.
The chances are equal for all the candidates since the staff decides who will be hired.
The criteria on which the employers decide is up to the individuals but participants with the certificate will have better chances.
Salary
The salary of a veterinary assistant is relatively low— an average of between $23,000 and $35,000, depending on your location.
When it comes to Georgia, the annual salary of a veterinary assistant differs among the cities around Alaska, but the difference is not so significant.
It depends on numerous factors and it is estimated to range from $26 713 in Valdosta to $29 200 in Atlanta, per year, so Georgia cannot proud itself of having high pay rates.
The table below shows the salary of a veterinary assistant in the state of Georgia annually since it varies from one place to another.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albany,GA | $27,253 |
| Athens,GA | $28,993 |
| Atlanta,GA | $29,200 |
| Augusta,GA | $27,418 |
| Columbus,GA | $26,786 |
| Macon,GA | $27,540 |
| Marietta,GA | $29,117 |
| Roswell,GA | $29,090 |
| Savannah,GA | $27,715 |
| Valdosta,GA | $26,713 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | 50 | $28,290 | $13.6 | $35,900 | $21,600 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 130 | $31,920 | $15.35 | $38,120 | $23,010 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2,000 | $35,910 | $17.27 | $43,950 | $29,370 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 180 | $34,610 | $16.64 | $43,040 | $27,800 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 80 | $29,750 | $14.3 | $36,520 | $23,140 |
| Gainesville, GA | 60 | $35,730 | $17.18 | $49,920 | $26,930 |
| Macon, GA | 40 | $33,270 | $16 | $40,140 | $23,740 |
| Rome, GA | 60 | $31,710 | $15.25 | $37,080 | $27,940 |
| Savannah, GA | 150 | $32,340 | $15.55 | $37,280 | $27,490 |
| Valdosta, GA | 50 | $29,640 | $14.25 | $35,900 | $22,980 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 80 | $29,200 | $14.04 | $35,870 | $22,450 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Duties
The everyday duties of a veterinary assistant include both administrative work as well as health care.
They work on scheduling appointments and making the first contact with clients, while they also need to provide animals with food and water; take x-rays; hold animals during treatment and assist with surgery.
The duties of a veterinary assistant are huge and all animal health care clinics trust them.
Veterinary assistant skills are so diverse that they can complete a wide array of duties and that is the reason why they play a crucial role in the daily activities of an animal hospital.
Nevertheless, veterinary assistants who work in rescue centers and animal rehabilitation centers have higher and more serious responsibilities which make their work even more significant.
Summary
A veterinary assistant job is underestimated, and the average salary can be a proof that this is true.
People believe that their job is not demanding at all since they do not perceive all the difficulties that a veterinary assistant has to face.
Not to mention the necessity to be precautious and put yourself at risk of being bitten or hurt during the medical process.
All in all, veterinary assistants are seriously involved in the medical care and curing process of wounded or ill animals, and this occupation should be more respected.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Veterinary Assistant
Veterinary Assisting by State