Do you want to start a new career in an industry that is flourishing?
If you live in South Carolina and like to be around animals, working as a vet assistant can be a good idea.
Take a look at the info we have brought you and you will learn more about the certification process.
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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in South Carolina
Once eligible to work in the field, you can get a job in a facility like:
- Pet clinics,
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
Your job tasks will vary according to what you need to do that day, but usually 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
To get the required experience, you can pursue an externship option.
You can also check out the following resources for more info:
- South Carolina 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 South Carolina
In South Carolina, you just need a high school diploma or a GED to get hired as a vet assistant.
However, most facilities will require a vet assistant certification.
To get certified and apply to jobs, you should consider joining a training program for vet assistants.
You can easily apply to get the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification once you complete your training.
The vet assistant certification in South Carolina is offered through the NAVTA.
The training program you join also has to be accredited by the NAVTA.
To get more credentials, you can also pursue a specialization such as:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
The training programs for vet assistants in South Carolina are available online as well as in person.
Whether you choose a program online or a physical one is based on how much time you have to be on campus.
These programs include both theory and clinical practice.
The theory will cover subjects 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
The programs where you can train in South Carolina include:
Top 3 Schools in South Carolina
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Greenville Technical College | 506 S Pleasantburg Dr Greenville, SC 29607 |
| Midlands Technical College | 16 S Beltline Blvd Columbia, SC 29205 |
| Piedmont Technical College | 620 Emerald Rd N Greenwood, SC 29646 |
You can become an experiential learner if you are already working.
But, you need to be hired at least part-time to be eligible.
Vet assistant training programs in South Carolina last between a few months and a couple of years.
The ones that last longer offer a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology.
In South Carolina, you need to pass the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam.
The certification exam is provided through the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
This exam needs a prior appointment first, and includes 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 South Carolina stays current for 2 years.
After that, you need to join some additional hours of schooling to get it renewed.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in South Carolina
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in South Carolina, vet assistants have a median annual salary of $29,203.
If you have a higher degree and some years of experience, your salary will be higher.
As an entry-level, you can expect to earn the minimum payment.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in South Carolina
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Columbia | $29,550 |
| Charleston | $30,283 |
| North Charleston | $30,283 |
| Greenville | $30,291 |
| Rock Hill | $31,388 |
| Mount Pleasant | $30,283 |
| Spartanburg | $29,803 |
| Sumter | $28,515 |
| Hilton Head Island | $29,771 |
| Florence | $28,745 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 360 | $36,130 | $17.37 | $44,760 | $29,010 |
| Columbia, SC | 250 | $34,750 | $16.71 | $43,700 | $28,080 |
| Florence, SC | 50 | $29,480 | $14.17 | $38,630 | $22,550 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 430 | $36,210 | $17.41 | $44,190 | $29,120 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 90 | $36,410 | $17.51 | $46,180 | $28,080 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 170 | $33,120 | $15.92 | $42,150 | $22,540 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 120 | $35,610 | $17.12 | $44,270 | $26,920 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information About Vet Assistants in South Carolina
What matters most when considering this career path is to choose the right training program.
Once you complete it, you will be able to have a long career and opportunities to advance.
