Animal lovers can choose to pursue a career in the field by becoming vet assistants.
If you live in Rhode Island, you should first know what the requirements are in this state.
So, read the below article to find out more info.
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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Rhode Island
You will be able to get a job in a facility such as:
- Pet clinics,
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
Your job duties will vary but the most common ones 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
One of the ways to get the experience you need is to opt for an externship.
To find your first job, the following resources might help you:
- Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
In this state, you only need to get a high school diploma or a GED.
But, most employers will ask for experience with animals or certification.
This can be done if you attend a training program in your area.
You will be able to apply for the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification after you finish training.
The vet assistant license in Rhode Island is provided by the NAVTA.
The program you enroll in also has to be accredited by the NAVTA.
Furthermore, 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
The programs for vet assistants in Rhode Island can be joined in person as well as online.
Whether you choose a program online or in-person depends on how much time you have on your hands.
The training programs for vet assistants contain both theory and clinical practice.
During the theory section, you will attend classes focused on:
- 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
The schools where you can train in Rhode Island are listed below.
Top 2 Schools in Rhode Island
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community College of Rhode Island | 400 East Avenue, Warwick Rhode Island 02886 |
| New England Institute of Technology | One New England Tech Boulevard, East Greenwich, Rhode Island 02818-1205 |
You can also choose to first become an experiential learner if you are already hired on a vet-related position.
However, you need to work at least 20 hours per week to be eligible.
Vet assistant training programs in Rhode Island last for a few months, but university degrees last for 2 to 3 years.
These include a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology.
You will also have to pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam.
The exam is offered through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
This exam requires an appointment first, and features the following topics:
- 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 certification in Rhode Island stays valid for 2 years.
After the period ends, you have to attend some additional hours of education to get it renewed.
You will be mailed your new certification if you comply with the requirements.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Rhode Island
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that vet assistants in Rhode Island earn about $32,885 a year.
If you live in larger regions of this small state, you can have better career opportunities.
How much you will earn is also dictated by your experience in the field and credentials.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Rhode Island
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Providence | $33,483 |
| Warwick | $33,483 |
| Cranston | $33,483 |
| Pawtucket | $33,483 |
| East Providence | $33,483 |
| Woonsocket | $33,451 |
| Coventry | $33,419 |
| North Providence | $33,483 |
| Cumberland | $33,483 |
| West Warwick | $33,483 |
Regional Salary in Rhode Island
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 370 | $42,780 | $20.57 | $48,390 | $31,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information About Veterinary Assistants in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island as well as in the rest of the country, vet assistant jobs will see an increase in the following period.
So, make sure you choose a training program that fits you and gets a certification.
