Becoming a veterinary assistant in Alabama could be an ideal career choice for someone who likes animals.
Read on to learn the steps towards this occupation, as well as the salary you can expect!
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Veterinary Assistant Training in Alabama
Those who are sure they want to become a veterinary assistant, need to undergo some training.
The Alabama Veterinary Medical Association oversees the practice of those in the veterinary field.
The Association doesn’t require licensing or certification for future veterinary assistants.
Most employers will require a high school diploma or GED.
National Certification for Veterinary Assistants
Certifications open the doors for those who want to have a career in the field.
These are available through the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America or NAVTA.
Training programs can be found at trade schools, community colleges, and online institutions.
There is one training program approved by NAVTA in Alabama and it is found at the Animal Behavioral College.
Upon graduation from this program, students need to pass the NAVTA exam and then they’ll become certified.
All the programs need to have a hands-on training period, not just theory classes.
Top 11 Schools in Alabama
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE | 105 Vulcan Road, Suite 100Birmingham, AL |
| DST Health Solutions | 2500 Corporate Drive, Birmingham, AL 35242 |
| FORTIS INSTITUTE | 100 London Pkwy Ste 150Birmingham, AL |
| Providence Hospital | 6801 Airport Boulevard, Mobile, AL 36685 |
| REMINGTON COLLEGE | 828 Downtowner Loop WMobile, AL |
| Ross Medical Education | 930 Old Monrovia Road, NW, Huntsville, Alabama |
| University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham | 1802 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233 |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 488 Palisades Blvd.Birmingham, AL |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 2021 Drake Avenue, SWHuntsville, AL |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 3725 Airport Blvd, Suite 165Mobile, AL |
| VIRGINIA COLLEGE | 6200 Atlanta HighwayMontgomery, AL |
Not all the institutions suggested above will issue a certificate for future veterinarian assistants.
These schools offer programs that last between 100 and 240 hours.
The coursework can be completed in up to 1 year.
The tuition varies from school to school, as well as on the classes a student actually takes.
The requirements for admission will vary between schools as well.
The classes will teach students:
- How to identify different breeds of animals
- The best ways to administer meds
- How to administer post-operative care
Those interested in becoming certified by NAVTA have a few other options at their disposal for this purpose.
These options are:
- Internship
- An experiential learner
- Field-based Veterinary Assistant Program
The internship is a temporary workplace training that often takes place before actual employment.
The experimental learner works half-time and performs a full range of veterinary assistant’s duties.
Through the field-based Veterinary Assistant Program, an individual works full-time in a vet office and receives the needed credit.
Regardless of the chosen option, candidates are expected to pass the NAVTA exam for certification.
The certification will turn the individual into an Approved Veterinary Assistant.
In Alabama, this certification is expected to be renewed every 2 years.
For this you’ll need to:
- Pay a fee
- Complete a number of continuing education hours
Employment and Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Alabama
The demand for veterinary assistants in Alabama is steady and it is not expected to decrease.
Employment places include:
- Veterinary clinics,
- Animal hospitals,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
Veterinary assistants complete a series of tasks given to them by the veterinarians they work with.
The tasks will also vary based on your workplace, and can include:
- Managing client records
- Keeping Inventory count
- Instrument sterilization and sanitation
- Cage cleaning and disinfecting
- Making sure exam rooms are prepped
- Maintaining updated medical records
- Handling animal walking and exercise
In Alabama, average salaries are higher in cities like Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, and Madison.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Alabama
City Name Salary Birmingham $30,132 Montgomery $28,541 Mobile $29,460 Huntsville $30,106 Tuscaloosa $29,837 Adger $29,772 Dothan $28,117 Decatur $29,186 Auburn $28,721 Gadsden $29,864 Regional Salary in Alabama
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Auburn-Opelika, AL 100 $34,330 $16.5 $44,440 $21,150 Birmingham-Hoover, AL 290 $29,230 $14.05 $38,490 $22,200 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL 40 $27,910 $13.42 $35,420 $22,220
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information for Veterinary Assistants in Alabama
If for some reason you can’t find a veterinary training program suitable for you in Alabama, you can try other states.
Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and Florida are the closest states to Alabama, where you can find such programs.
The Association can help you find not only training opportunities but also a job throughout the state if you seek employment.
There are many other animals welfare organizations that offer information and support for those who seek to work with animals.
These include ASPCA, AVMA, and VSPN.
The NAVTA certification is not the only one available for these professionals or the only one accepted for employment.
