You do not have to go to veterinary school to be in the animal care field.
There are other career options that can give you the chance to make a difference in the lives of people’s pets.
One example is working as a veterinary assistant.
At animal clinics and hospitals, veterinary assistants are an integral part of the animal care team.
Their primary duties include providing care to sick animals, running laboratory tests, and assisting veterinarians in surgeries.
They work with registered veterinary technicians too, looking after hospitalized animals.
Because of how important they are, they have to go through the necessary education and training to learn how to do their jobs properly.
If you are in Bakersfield, CA, and want to become a veterinary assistant, you might want to consider enrolling in any of the following veterinary assistant schools in Bakersfield, CA.
High Desert Medical College
About the School
High Desert Medical College is an institution that offers education and training in a wide range of areas in the healthcare field.
Their mission is to provide real-world healthcare career training and teach valuable and marketable skills so students can be prepared for the demands of the industry.
As healthcare employment is projected to grow by 13% in the next 10 years, they are committed to offering specific education, a culture of support and community, and resources for the success of their future healthcare careers.
Through the use of modern technology, digital training, and a hands-on approach, they aim to give their students a competitive edge as they enter the job market.
They want to change people’s lives and are committed to being there from enrollment to graduation, job placement, and beyond.
They are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and licensed by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Diploma Program is designed to teach theoretical knowledge and critical hands-on skills essential to pursuing a career as a veterinary assistant.
It includes the following courses:
- Veterinary Terminology
- Veterinary Pharmacy
- Nursing and Care for the Veterinary Assistant
- Animal Husbandry
- Externship
It requires 760 classroom hours and 200 Externship hours for a total of 960 clock hours.
Through the program, students will learn from professional instructors how to:
- Assist and support veterinarians, veterinary technologists, veterinary technicians, and scientists in their everyday tasks
- Feed, bathe, and exercise the animals
- Prepare for medical examinations and procedures
- Safely handle, restrain, and manage animals during procedures
- Provide post-surgery and post-treatment care
- Administer prescription medications and immunizations
- Sterilize surgical instruments
- Prepare examination rooms
They can also get real-world on-the-job experience through an Externship.
It takes 35 weeks of morning classes or 43 weeks of evening classes to complete.
Upon successful completion, they will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Address: 2000 24th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC)
About the School
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) is a private college founded in 1977.
For 45 years, they have provided quality education to empower others and help them grow, evolve, and gain opportunities.
From healthcare and business to industrial and the trades, they offer more than 20 degree and certificate programs.
They use a combination of classroom, hands-on, and online learning to ensure that they uphold their mission of preparing graduates for professional success.
With their core values — Integrity, Family, Professionalism, Communication, Diversity, and Success — in mind, they strive to deliver educational, social, personal, and professional excellence for a brighter future.
Accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission and the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education, they have 16 locations across California.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Program is designed to teach and train students to provide assistance and support to veterinarians during routine, emergency, and postoperative animal care.
It includes several courses, such as:
- Animal Nursing
- Introduction to Life Sciences
- Introduction to Veterinary Assisting
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Veterinary Dentistry and Critical Care
- Veterinary Laboratory Procedures
- Veterinary Radiology
- Veterinary Surgical Assisting
During the program, students can learn and practice various duties and responsibilities that veterinary assistants do, including:
- Animal feeding, bathing, and exercising
- Cleaning and disinfecting of examination rooms, operating rooms, cages, and kennels
- Restraining and handling of animals during exams and laboratory procedures
- Sterilizing surgical tools and equipment
- Monitoring and caring for animals after surgical procedures
- Assisting in providing emergency first aid
- Assisting in collecting urine, blood, and tissue samples
- Giving medication or immunizations prescribed by veterinarians
Upon completion, they should be able to perform the following:
- Office management, veterinary clinic reception, and general computer skills
- Administering injections, placing IV catheters, venipuncture, and monitoring anesthesia
- Dental prophylaxis
- Laboratory procedures, radiographic film processing, etc.
- Accurate obtaining of vitals, recording of patient history, pet restraining techniques, and other exam room protocols
- Professional attitudes, behavior, appearance, and social skills
The full program takes 36 weeks to complete.
Address: 201 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309, United States
Veterinary Assistant Schools by City in California
- Bakersfield, CA2 Schools
- Fresno, CA2 Schools
- Los Angeles, CA4 Schools
- Oakland, CA2 Schools
- Riverside, CA1 Schools
- Sacramento, CA3 Schools
- San Diego, CA3 Schools
- San Jose, CA2 Schools
