MVCC's Introductory Veterinarian Assistant Course Starts This Fall

PALOS HILLS, IL -- Do you love animals? See if a veterinary career is for you by registering for Moraine Valley Community College’s introductory veterinary assistant pre-professional program. The one-semester, non-credit course is accepting students for the fall program, which starts Aug. 22 on MVCC’s main campus in Palos Hills.

The course includes more than 90 hours of classroom instruction and 60 hours of observational experience working in a clinical setting. Veterinary assistants are an integral part of the veterinary team. The average salary for full-time veterinary assistants is $23,130 per year. Employment in this field is expected to grow 10 percent through 2022, faster than average occupations. Despite average employment growth, high turnover will result in good job opportunities.

Topics covered in the Veterinary Assistant Pre-Professional Program include: medical terminology; animal behavior and handling; medication administration; preventative care; laboratory safety; radiology procedures; surgical prep, monitoring and recovery and aseptic practices to help prevent spread of disease.

Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion, which could be used to satisfy some entrance requirements in more advanced veterinary career programs. The course has been gaining success since the Summer of 2017, and is in the beginning stages of applying for NAVTA approval.

The course starts Aug. 22 and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:45 to 9:30 p.m. Register online at Moraine Valley Community College Non-Credit Classes. Click begin and search for the term “Vet Assistant,” and follow the prompts.

If you are over the age of 18 with a high school diploma or GED and interested in pursuing a career in the veterinary field, but may be unsure where to begin or how to gain experience contact Christy Millett, program director and instructor at millettc2@morainevalley.edu.