How To Become a Veterinary Assistant in Illinois
By Courtney Cosby
Few jobs are as fulfilling as those where you are able to improve the health and lives of animals. As a veterinary assistant, you can do just that. If you have a passion to care for and enjoy animals, the veterinary profession will undoubtedly be a rewarding place to begin your journey in the field of animal healthcare.
The veterinary field heavily relies on the services of veterinary assistants. The job requirements of Illinois vet assistants will vary by employer, but some of the job duties you may be required to perform may include:
- Exercising animals
- Feeding and bathing pets
- Surgical Assisting
- Interacting with clients and scheduling appointments
- Prepping animals for surgery
- Maintaining medical records
- Schedule appointments
- Sanitizing exam rooms and equipment
- Filling prescriptions under the supervision of a veterinarian
Veterinary Assistant Programs
No formal educational requirements have been established by the state of Illinois, yet the majority of veterinary practices and hospitals prefer to hire vet assistants who have a high school diploma or GED equivalency. Some veterinary assistants prefer to jumpstart their careers by pursuing a vet assistant training program. You can undergo veterinary technology training on campus or online.
Penn Foster College – Veterinary Assistant Program
- NAVTA-Approved Veterinary Assistant Program
- Support from the award-winning Veterinary Academy Team
- Complete in as little as 7 months
- Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
A great place to receive a veterinary assistant training program in Illinois is at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. During this 250-hour course that includes a 100-hour clinical externship, students will learn everything they need to know to begin their careers as veterinary assistants. This school has also completed all of the requirements to be designated as a National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) approved veterinary assistant program. Upon successful completion of this training program, students are eligible to sit for the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) examination. Once you pass, you will receive your certificate to work as a nationally-recognized AVA.
If you prefer to do your coursework online, you may want to consider Penn Foster Career School, which is one of only three online programs National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America-approved veterinary assistant schools. Here you will also obtain the knowledge and skills required to work as a veterinary assistant. Once you complete your training, you will be eligible to receive the AVA certification through Penn Foster.
Approved Veterinary Assistant Examination
The AVA exam is offered by NAVTA. It is an 80-question multiple choice exam that covers the basics of veterinary assisting such as:
Animal restraint and handling
Medical terminology
Surgical preparation
Laboratory procedures
Pharmacy and nutrition
Once you pass, your certification will be valid for two years. After two years, you will have to renew your certification. To do this, you must complete at least 20 continuing education credits through NAVTA-approved programs, such as those offered by the College of Lake County or Penn Foster Career School.
Working as Veterinary Assistant in Illinois
Illinois is a great state to begin your work as a veterinary assistant as the average annual salary of veterinary assistants in the state is $29,890, which is a little higher than the national average according to Labor statistics. There are currently 2,940 veterinary assistants employed in the state of Illinois. There is expected to be a 15-percent increase in the number of veterinary assistant jobs by 2030, thanks to the increasing demand for pet care. Veterinary Assistants have job prospects in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, animal vaccination clinics, and other related facilities.
Future veterinary Assistants in Illinois have plenty of opportunities to start their careers. With the right training and work experience, they can look forward to a rewarding job that is essential in the field of animal healthcare.
Veterinary Assistant Salaries in Illinois by Region
| Area | Total Employed | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 50 | $12.47 | $25,930 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 60 | $10.30 | $21,420 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 170 | $12.98 | $27,010 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 1,130 | $13.74 | $28,580 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 130 | $11.44 | $23,800 |
| Decatur, IL | 70 | $12.07 | $25,110 |
| Kankakee, IL | ** | $11.39 | $23,690 |
| Peoria, IL | ** | $13.70 | $28,500 |
| Rockford, IL | ** | $11.83 | $24,610 |
| Springfield, IL | 50 | $11.66 | $24,240 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 870 | $12.18 | $25,340 |
Once you are ready to begin working as an Illinois veterinary assistant, you must begin looking at potential employers. You may want to consider small practices like Crestwood Animal Clinic or Oak Forest Animal Clinic in Midlothian. Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) is another great place to look, which has 750 locations throughout the country. Both VCA Chicago North Animal Hospital in Chicago and VCA Hawthorn Animal Hospital in Vernon Hills, Illinois, would be excellent places to begin your career.
