How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Connecticut

Are you good with animals? In that case, you can choose a career in the veterinary industry.

You can easily become a vet assistant in Connecticut, once you have enough info.

So, read on about the licensing and training process!

Employment and Job Duties for Veterinary Assistants in Connecticut

Before you can decide, you should be aware of the job duties you will have.

Some of these include the following:

• Communicating with clients
• Making appointments
• Request records requests from other vets
• Inventory control
• Cleaning vet gear
• Sanitizing animal cages
• Operation room cleaning
• Help with filling prescriptions
• Prepping exam and operating spaces
• Keeping records updated
• Pay attention to the dietary needs of pets
• Make sure the animals get enough exercise

Some of the biggest employers in Connecticut include:

• Veterinary Centers of America, that has centers in Bristol, South Windsor, East Haven, and Plainfield.
• Banfield Pet Hospital with centers in several cities.

If you want more options when you start searching for a job, the following facilities are good starting points:

• Pet clinics,
• Animal rescue facilities,
• Animal shelters
• Zoos
• Educational institutions

Requirements for a Veterinary Assistant in Connecticut

You do not have to meet specific criteria to become a vet assistant in this state.

However, most employers ask for a high school diploma or a GED at the minimum.

Most of the requirements have to do with your skills, which will include:

• Good communication
• Able to multitask
• Resistant to stress
• Time management
• Anger management
• Team player
• Physically fit

Becoming Certified as a Veterinary Assistant in Connecticut

You can enroll in a certificate program and get a diploma when you complete it.

In Connecticut, the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification is sufficient.

You can obtain it by enrolling in a NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant Program which lasts for a maximum of 1 year.

While you are not required to earn it, you will need it if you are looking to get hired fast.

There are several ways in which you can become an approved vet assistant in this state:

• Externship
  • This option is suitable for those who do not yet work in the field.
  • The program provides theory classes but also practice, which is important when looking for a job.
• Experiential Learner
  • If you are already working, this option may be right for you.
  • You will need to work for 20 hours in a full-time vet facility.
• Veterinary Assistant Program
  • For this, you need to work for at least 20 hours a week in a vet facility.
  • After you finish training, you can take the AVA exam.

If you don’t have enough time to attend a program in person, you can join an online program instead.

Some of the subjects you will study in class include:

• How to identify different breeds
• Animal anatomy
• The best ways to administer meds
• How to administer post-operative care
• Handling various breeds of animals
• Medical terminology
• Handling chemicals

In this state, some secondary education schools that offer vet assistant programs can be seen below.

These programs generally award associate and bachelor’s degrees for future specialists in the veterinary field.

The admission requirements in these schools are generally similar.

The programs in these schools are at least 2 years long.

Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Connecticut

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, vet assistants in this state earn about $33,712 per year.

Salaries are higher in places like Greenwich, Norwalk, and Stamford, where you can make close to $36,000 per year.

There an expected yearly growth of 4% for jobs in this industry, in Connecticut.

Annual Salary Range:

Regional Salary in Connecticut

Additional Information for Veterinary Assistants in Connecticut

You will need to renew your certification every 2 years in order to keep it valid.

You will also need to take some extra education hours and pay a fee of $10.