Veterinary assistant or veterinary technician? Both veterinary assistants and veterinary technicians are vital to the functioning of any veterinary clinic. The titles of the two jobs are similar and often confused with each other, but they are definitely not interchangeable. Each position comes with specific educational requirements and responsibilities.
When it comes to education and licensing, vet assistants do not have any mandatory requirements. Veterinary technicians, on the other hand, must complete a two-year veterinary technology program and pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE) to become licensed.
Earning a vet tech degree is a very expensive and significant commitment. While it offers the opportunity for advanced skills and responsibilities, it’s important to consider the potential salary differences between a vet tech and a vet assistant. In some cases, the financial return might not be as substantial as expected, especially once you factor in student loan repayments after graduation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average vet tech in the United States earned an hourly wage of $21.18 in April, 2024. The average hourly wage for a vet assistant was $17.94.
Perhaps the best argument for taking the vet tech route is if you eventually want to go on to become a veterinarian, which absolutely does command a much higher salary.
To make a more informed decision, however, it’s helpful to learn the difference in job responsibilities for vet techs and vet assistants.
What Do Vet Techs Do?
Veterinary technicians are akin to registered nurses in human healthcare. They are more involved in direct patient care and perform some technical procedures under the supervision of a veterinarian. Vet techs can perform diagnostic tests and administer anesthesia for instance. Drawing blood, taking x-rays, inserting catheters, and monitoring patients during surgery are some of the other medical tasks veterinary technicians may perform.
What Do Vet Assistants Do?
Veterinary assistants play a critical role in maintaining the smooth operation of a veterinary clinic. Their duties are focused more on general care and administrative support than on technical medical procedures. Veterinary assistants are more limited in scope when it comes to providing direct medical care for their pet patients, but they do assist with some of these tasks and the job does have the benefit of putting one in contact with animals all day long!
A veterinary assistant provides essential support to the veterinary team by performing various hands-on tasks and helping veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Vet assistants also support the front office staff with the scheduling of appointments, welcoming patients and their “parents,” and helping clients over the phone.
Vet assistants provide patient handling/restraint during exams or diagnostic procedures, feed and exercise hospitalized patients, ensure proper sanitation of the veterinary hospital, including sterilization of surgical items and help maintain the hospital’s equipment. Vet assistants also care for animals by bathing, brushing and providing basic grooming, and recording patient observations. Vet assistants often interact with pet parents, whether it’s checking the patient in, or going over patient discharge information. A lot of cleaning and disinfecting comes with the territory, as vet assistants are responsible for the prepping and stocking of exam and surgical rooms too.
Finding a Vet Assistant Job
Working with animals is a dream career for so many, but it can be hard to get a vet assistant job without any credentials or education. While it is true that vet assistants do not have to have more than a high school diploma, the reality is you’re not likely to get hired without experience or formal education to show that you know how to work with animals or care for them in a veterinary setting.
If you’ve already applied to vet clinics, you might have realized that experience matters. Gaining relevant experience through employment or volunteering at animal shelters, stables, kennels, or wildlife rehabilitation centers can make a strong impact on your resume.
It’s also a smart idea to earn a vet assistant certificate. It takes about a year and the academic portion can be completed online. Tuition is much more affordable than for traditional college classes. Tuition for the Animal Behavior College Vet Assistant Program starts at $999.
Even though it’s an online course, ABC offers real world experience through an externship. Every student is paired with a local mentor facility to get valuable experience and gain confidence. Talk about something great to put on your resume!
Make a “Pawsitive” Move
The first step toward earning a certificate in ABC’s Vet Assistant Program is to call an admissions counselor at 800-795-3294 or go to Animal Behavior College and fill out the contact form, they will reach out to you and will be happy to answer any questions and get you started. Enroll anytime!