Maybe you have the talent to work with animals and love being around them.
If that is true, and you live in Oklahoma, you can choose to pursue a vet assistant career.
But first, read on to know what type of training you need.
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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Oklahoma
If you are certified, you can apply for jobs in any animal-related facility:
- Pet clinics,
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
The most significant daily duties for a vet assistant position 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 want to learn more about animals first, you can pursue an externship.
This will provide you with the experience you should have to find a good job in the industry.
When it comes to jobs, the following resources are also worth checking out:
- Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, you can find an entry-level vet assistant job right after you get a high school diploma or a GED.
But, the most simple way to improve your vet assistant skills is to join a training program.
You will be eligible to apply for the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification right after you complete the program.
The vet assistant license in Oklahoma is provided by the NAVTA.
The program you select also has to be accredited by the NAVTA.
In addition, you can get a specialization such as one of the following:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
Luckily, in this state you can attend classes in person but also online.
This could prove useful if you already have a job and don’t have that much free time.
In the theory part of the program, you will study topics like:
- 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
Besides theory, you will also have to attend practice hours.
The schools where you can train in Oklahoma are listed below.
Top 6 Schools in Oklahoma
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community Care College | 4242 South SheridanTulsa, OK 74145 |
| High Plains Technology Center | 3921 34th St, Woodward, Oklahoma 73801 |
| Moore Norman Technology Center | 4701 12th Avenue NWNorman, OK 73069 |
| Murray State College | One Murray CampusTishomingo, OK 73460 |
| Pioneer Technology Center | 2101 N Ash, Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601 |
| Wes Watkins Technology Center | 7892 Highway 9, Wetumka, Oklahoma 74883-6155 |
You can also opt for certification as an experiential learner if you are already employed by a facility.
To do so, you have to prove that you are working at least 20 hours per week.
Vet assistant training programs in Oklahoma can last for less than a year, with the exception of college degrees.
These include a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology.
If you pursue a degree, you will probably be in school for about 2 years.
You will also need to take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam after your program ends.
The exam is offered through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
This exam is open book, and you need to schedule it online before you can attend.
The exam covers 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 after 2 years.
To get it renewed, you need to pay another fee and take some more hours of class.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Oklahoma
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report stating that vet assistants in Oklahoma have a yearly salary of $29,328.
If you live in areas like Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Broken Arrow, you will be able to earn more.
Your vet assistant salary will also be higher if you already have some experience or a degree.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Oklahoma
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $29,131 |
| Tulsa | $30,594 |
| Norman | $28,939 |
| Lawton | $27,138 |
| Broken Arrow | $30,499 |
| Edmond | $29,035 |
| Ada | $28,844 |
| Enid | $28,844 |
| Mooreland | $27,799 |
| Stillwater | $28,844 |
Regional Salary in Oklahoma
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton, OK | 50 | $28,890 | $13.89 | $41,340 | $20,330 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 840 | $34,420 | $16.55 | $57,210 | $22,720 |
| Tulsa, OK | 600 | $33,740 | $16.22 | $48,750 | $22,790 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information About Vet Assistants in Oklahoma
Jobs in the industry are reported to grow over the next years, which makes it a solid career choice for anyone.
