If you want to start a new career in Virginia, being a vet assistant will suit you if you like to work with animals.
The first step you need to take is to find out the training and licensing requirements in this state.
So, read on for more info!
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Veterinary Assistant Employment and Job Duties in Virginia
There are many vet facilities where you can work once you have the proper training.
Some of these are:
- Pet clinics,
- Animal rescue facilities,
- Animal shelters
- Zoos
- Educational institutions
There will also be several tasks to finish daily, and some of these are:
- 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
You can pursue an externship if you want to learn more about handling animals.
Becoming Certified as a Vet Assistant in Virginia
In Virginia, you are not required to be certified as a vet assistant.
But, most employers prefer to hire vet assistants who have a license.
You can easily attend a suitable training program for vet assistants in your region in order to get certified.
After you are done training, you can apply for the AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) certification.
The vet assistant certification Virginia is provided by the NAVTA, as it needs to be approved by this organization.
If you want to get more credentials for a better job, you can get a specialization like:
- Dental Technician
- Anesthetist
- Internal Medicine
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Behavior Technician
- Zoological Medicine
- Equine
- Surgery
- Clinical Practice
- Nutrition
- Clinical Pathology
In Virginia, there are many vet assistant programs you can attend either online or in person.
Online programs are a good choice for those who have a job or cannot go to campus for any reason.
The training programs for vet assistants include both theory classes and hands-on practice.
The theory part covers the next subjects:
- 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
Currently, the training programs for vet assistants in Virginia are offered by the schools listed below.
Top 5 Schools in Virginia
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Community College | 1 College Lane, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486-0080 |
| Massanutten Technical Center | 325 Pleasant Valley Road Harrisonburg, VA 22801 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 6699 Springfield Center Drive Springfield, VA 22150 |
| Patrick Henry Community College | 645 Patriot Avenue, Martinsville, Virginia 24112 |
| Tidewater Community College | 121 College Place Norfolk, VA 23510 |
If you are hired by a vet place for 20 hours weekly, you first become an experiential learner.
Generally, the training programs for vet assistants in Virginia last between 6 months and 3 years.
If you enroll in a college program, you can be issued a B.S. in Veterinary Technology or an Associate’s Degree in Veterinary Technology when you complete it.
In Virginia, you will have to take the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Examination) exam to get certified.
The exam is offered by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).
To join the exam, you have to submit a certain fee and schedule your exam online.
The subjects will cover:
- Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
- Dentistry
- Pain Management/Analgesia
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Surgical Nursing
- Pharmacy and Pharmacology
- Laboratory Procedures
- Anesthesia
- Animal Care and Nursing
Remember that after 2 years, your certification will expire.
This means that you will need to renew it, which means you have to submit a fee.
Furthermore, you also have to take some additional class hours in order to update your knowledge.
Salary Information for a Veterinary Assistant in Virginia
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that vet assistants in Virginia earn an annual salary of $31,013.
Of course, if you manage to work for a big employer or you live in a big city, your salary will be higher.
Salaries also get higher for vet assistants with some experience in the field.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Veterinary Assistants in Virginia
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $30,486 |
| Norfolk | $30,027 |
| Chesapeake | $29,988 |
| Richmond | $31,819 |
| Newport News | $29,874 |
| Hampton | $29,874 |
| Alexandria | $35,499 |
| Portsmouth | $30,027 |
| Roanoke | $29,482 |
| Lynchburg | $29,373 |
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 150 | $34,260 | $16.47 | $45,660 | $27,820 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 270 | $34,830 | $16.75 | $43,810 | $29,950 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 50 | $33,560 | $16.14 | $43,560 | $28,730 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 120 | $31,280 | $15.04 | $39,600 | $27,620 |
| Richmond, VA | 790 | $34,280 | $16.48 | $43,230 | $29,770 |
| Roanoke, VA | 230 | $30,910 | $14.86 | $35,290 | $27,010 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 90 | $32,030 | $15.4 | $37,280 | $28,260 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 850 | $32,740 | $15.74 | $36,610 | $29,120 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 50 | $33,100 | $15.91 | $40,870 | $29,230 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Additional Information About Vet Assistants in Virginia
Some sources that you might find useful include:
- Virginia 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
