Veterinary Assistant
Certificate
Upon completion of the Veterinary Assistant Certification Program students will be prepared to work in any veterinary clinic as an assistant. Areas of study include comparative animal anatomy and physiology, nutrition, husbandry, hospital management, pharmaceuticals, behavior, laboratory procedures, and surgical nursing. The certificate coursework also aligns with the requirements for the Animal Care and Management Associates degree offered at YCCC for students who wish to continue their education. Before completion of the certificate, all students must complete 100 volunteer hours off-campus working on skills supervised by a veterinarian or licensed veterinary technician. The majority of hours must be completed at a small animal hospital and locations will be approved by the program director. This program is seeking full approval from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Approved Veterinary Assistants certification. Once accreditation is approved, students will be able to sit for the national licensing exam.
You'll learn how to:
-
Demonstrate the ability to communicate patient information with clients and the veterinary team effectively and clearly in various formats.
-
Describe the importance of procedures for handling and analyzing various diagnostics such as blood panels, urine and fecal tests, and radiographs in a clinic setting.
-
Explain the infrastructure of a veterinary clinic including quality patient care and handling, management of inventory, and care of medical equipment.
-
Apply critical thinking skills to prepare and present solutions for common behavioral concerns.
-
Perform with proficiency all required skills listed by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America AVA.
-
NEW CERTIFICATE
-
Program Track
Full-Time
-
Estimated Certificate Completion Time
One-Year 24 Credits
-
Admissions Requirements
• High School Diploma or GED
• College level placement in English and Math
• High school biology with laboratory component
Degree questions, answered.
This program is accedited by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).
"*" indicates required fields
Careers
Graduates of the Veterinary Assistant Certificate program will be eligible for entry level positions in a variety of animal hospitals, including working with companion animals, pocket pets, exotics, livestock, and equine species. Specific jobs may include, but are not limited to; exam room assistant, surgical assistant, working with hospital inventory and maintenance, training and behavior consultations, and daycare/boarding staff.
Meet the Faculty
-
Julie Bodkin
Veterinary Technology Faculty
Dr. Bodkin started her career as a volunteer/kennel staff member and worked her way up to veterinary technician prior to attending veterinary school. Dr. Bodkin worked at Becker College and also worked at two small animal hospitals around Boston from 2013 to 2020. She grew up in Quincy, MA and currently resides there with her husband and their 12-year-old terrier Dixie. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and cheering on the Pats, Celtics.