Working with animals can be rewarding for the right person.
If you live in North Dakota, you will find plenty of opportunities to become a vet assistant.
If you want to know what this job entails, then check out the guide below.
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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in North Dakota
Certified vet assistants can apply for jobs in any of the below facilities:
- Pet clinics or hospitals
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
The major daily duties for a vet assistant include:
- 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
If you wish to have more experience with animals first, you can opt for an externship.
This will give you the experience you need to find employment in a facility of your choice.
You can also check out the following resources:
- North Dakota Veterinary Technician Association
- Big Sky Veterinary Technician Association
- National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA)
- Veterinary Career Network
- Vet Tech Life
- Vetcetera
- Where Techs Connect
Becoming Certified as a Vet Assistant in North Dakota
In North Dakota, you can start applying for jobs immediately after you get a high school diploma or a GED.
The easiest way in which you can develop the needed skills is to enroll in a training program.
In North Dakota, you choose a school from the ones below.
Top 3 Schools in North Dakota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Bismarck State College | 1500 Edwards AvenueBismarck, ND 58506 |
| Dakota College at Bottineau | 105 Simrall BlvdBottineau, ND 58318 |
| Lake Region State College | 1801 College Drive NDevils Lake, ND 58301 |
After you complete your training, you can apply for an AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification.
The vet assistant certification is provided by the NAVTA.
The program you choose has to be approved by the NAVTA.
Additionally, you can pursue a specialization like:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
There are many options for training programs in North Dakota, so you can attend one online or in person.
Some of the subjects covered in class feature:
- 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
You will join a combination of theory and practice hours during your course.
If you are employed as a vet assistant, you can choose a certification as an experiential learner.
To meet the requirements, you have to work a minimum of a20 hours per week in a facility.
Vet assistant training programs in North Dakota have a duration of a few months, but you can also pursue higher education options.
These include a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology.
Before your certification can be released, you need to take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam.
The test is provided by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
You also have to schedule your exam first.
The test features the following subjects:
- Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
- Dentistry
- Pain Management/Analgesia
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Laboratory Procedures
- Anesthesia
- Animal Care and Nursing
The Vet assistant license has to be renewed within 2 years.
To do this, you have to pay an extra fee and join some more hours of class.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in North Dakota
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report stating that vet assistants in North Dakota have a median salary of $29,297 a year.
If you live in regions such as Bismarck, Fargo, and Mandan, your salary could be higher.
This is also the case for vet assistants who are specialized or have a college degree.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in North Dakota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $29,918 |
| Bismarck | $30,492 |
| Grand Forks | $28,129 |
| Minot | $30,014 |
| Mandan | $30,492 |
| Dickinson | $30,014 |
| Jamestown | $29,727 |
| West Fargo | $29,918 |
| Williston | $30,014 |
| Wahpeton | $29,440 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | 90 | $34,300 | $16.49 | $41,430 | $29,880 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information About Veterinary Assistants in North Dakota
There are always things to do when you work with animals, so your day will never get boring.
To enjoy the benefits of your new career, all you need to do is attend a training program in your area.
