How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Ohio

Read on if you always wanted to work with animals in the State of Ohio!

We’ll tell you how you can become a vet assistant in this state, and not only that!

Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Ohio

You might wonder where will you be working as a veterinary assistant.

As a matter of fact, you can choose one of these types of facilities and not only:

• Animal clinics,
• Animal rescue facilities,
• Animal shelters
• Zoos
• Veterinary emergency centers

Below you can find some of the most reputable employers in the field, in Ohio:

• Veterinary Centers of America
  • Their centers in Ohio can be found in Toledo, Hilliard, Cincinnati, and Columbus.
• Banfield Pet Hospital
  • This hospital can be found in Columbus and Beavercreek.

Of course, these are not the only centers dedicated to the health and safety of animals.

The requirement to get hired at any of these facilities will vary.

They may include:

• Being at least 18 years old
• Having a high school diploma or GED
• Having good communication and organizational skills
• Detail-oriented

Furthermore, you may also have different duties depending on where you work.

The duties of a vet assistant include:

• Assisting with surgeries
• Applying bandages
• Monitoring anesthesia and vital signs
• Collecting samples
• Administering medications
• Giving subcutaneous fluids
• Filling prescriptions
• Communicating with clients
• Making appointments
• Inventory control
• Cleaning vet gear
• Sanitizing animal cages
• Operation room cleaning
• Prepping exam and operating spaces
• Keeping records updated
• Pay attention to the dietary needs of pets
• Make sure the animals get enough exercise

Becoming Certified as a Vet Assistant in Ohio

Ohio doesn’t have any educational requirements when it comes to veterinary assistants.

While employers can hire anyone, they most commonly ask for a high school diploma or its equivalent.

It’s also possible for some facilities to ask for previous experience in working with animals.

Some of the candidates choose to volunteer until they accumulate enough experience for the job.

To improve your chances of getting hired and have a higher salary, you can earn the AVA certification issued by NAVTA.

There are several schools across Ohio that offer training programs with accreditation from NAVTA.

There are a few alternatives if the school is far from you:

• Enroll in an online program
• Join an externship – especially if you have no experience in working with animals
• Experiential Learner
  • Requires part-time employment in the field.
• Veterinary Assistant Program
  • You need to work at least part-time in the field, already.

To earn the AVA certificate you need:

• To fill out an application
• The documents proving their eligibility
• The fee for the application and certificate – $350
• To pass the exam

Earning Other Credentials

If you hope to have a better career in the veterinary industry, perhaps a degree would be a better choice for you.

You can earn it from a school post-secondary education.

The schools below have good training programs for future vet assistants in Ohio, and the NAVTA-approved programs are included.

These are just a handful of the topics you’ll study:

• Animal Life Stages Nutrition and Husbandry
• Animal Nursing and Diagnostic Imaging
• Pharmacology and Principles of Anesthesia
• Aseptic Technique and Surgical Assisting

Many choose a specialty in the veterinary field, like:

• Dental Technician
• Anesthetist
• Internal Medicine
• Emergency and Critical Care
• Behavior Technician
• Zoological Medicine
• Equine
• Clinical Practice
• Nutrition
• Clinical Pathology

Training programs can take less than a year to complete, but not less than 9 months.

A degree lasts for at least 2 years.

Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Ohio

In Ohio, veterinary assistants earn a median salary of around $30,400 per year.

This is very close to the national average of $31,200 per year, for this profession.

Regional Salary in Ohio

Additional Information About Vet Assistants in Ohio

If you choose to obtain the AVA certification, remember to renew it every 2 years.

You must pay the $250 fee for this.

Sometimes the regulations for an industry can change.

To stay updated as a veterinary assistant, check out the websites of these organizations:

• VetMedTeam
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• Ohio Veterinary Medical Association
• Midwest Veterinary Conference
• Cincinnati Veterinary Medical Association
• Ohio Valley Humane Society