How To Become a Veterinary Assistant in Indiana

By Courtney Cosby

Do you want to work in a field where you can help animals and the people who love them? Veterinary assisting may be for you! From feeding and bathing to exercising animals, a job as a veterinary assistant in Indiana can be a fun and rewarding career path.

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Indiana veterinary assistants perform a number of duties in order to help veterinarians and veterinary technicians efficiently care for and treat animals. Tasks performed by vet assistants may include:

  • Taking x-rays
  • Restraining animals during exams and treatment
  • Collecting fluid, tissue, and blood samples for tests
  • Administering medication as directed
  • Monitoring the response of animals to treatment
  • Assisting veterinarians with surgery
  • Cleaning and sterilizing equipment and instruments
  • Preparing equipment and instruments for surgery
  • Maintaining records
  • Communicating with pet owners
  • Answering phones
  • Other clerical work

Indiana Education for Veterinary Assistants

No educational requirements have been set by the state of Indiana to work as a veterinary assistant. Despite this, many veterinary practices look for assistants who have some degree of experience in the field. The first step to becoming a veterinary assistant is usually earning a high school diploma or GED equivalency.

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Many working vet assistants in Indiana have pursued additional educational training in a veterinary assistant program. Indiana has a couple of options for training on campus as well as online.

Harrison College in Indianapolis has a 300-hour, non-credit veterinary assistant program that provides all you need to know to start your career with confidence. You will learn skills that emphasize professionalism and communication as well as the laws and ethics of veterinary medicine. Hands-on clinical and practical skills are taught for small animal procedures as well.

Penn Foster Career School offers training online through a nationally recognized veterinary assistant program that is approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). Although veterinary assistants are not required to graduate from a NAVTA-approved school, 87 percent of veterinary practices prefer to hire candidates who have graduated from a NAVTA-approved program.

Certified Veterinary Assistant in Indiana

Whether you are just starting out on the career path as a veterinary assistant or you have already been working in the field and wish to increase your value as an employee, pursuing certification is a worthwhile process. Choosing to become certified can be helpful when looking for employment and might even be the ticket to a higher initial pay rate. Many practices bump candidates with certification to the top of their lists when seeking new assistants.

If you wish to become an Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) in Indiana, you must choose one of three available options by NAVTA, which has teamed up with VetMed. The first choice is an externship, offering hands-on training at a veterinary practice. This is suitable if you are not currently working in a veterinary office or other animal healthcare facility. Another option, known as the Veterinary Assistant Program, is available to those who currently work as a veterinary assistants in a full-service veterinary practice and have done so for less than five years. The third option is known as the Experiential Learner option. This final program is available to those who currently work as veterinary assistants in the state of Indiana, with a minimum of 20 hours per week in a full-service veterinary practice, and have been for at least five of the past eight years. Once you decide which option is for you, you may take the AVA exam. Upon passing the exam, you will receive your Approved Veterinary Assistant certification.

Indiana Veterinary Medical Association

The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) is the professional organization to which veterinarians in the state belong. It offers continuing education and provides resources for members on topics such as public health, animal welfare, research, and more. They also offer a variety of programs to benefit veterinary assistants in the state. For example, they provide financial aid for veterinary assistant students through the Veterinary Careers Enhancement Program (VCEP) as well as scholarships for those who plan to continue their education and become a veterinary technician or doctor. The IVMA also offers job listings, career advice, and mentoring opportunities for veterinary assistants in Indiana.

Having certification and affiliation with the IVMA can be great assets for any veterinary assistant in Indiana. It demonstrates a commitment to the profession and helps strengthen your qualifications when seeking employment. With all these resources available, there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of if you want to become a veterinary assistant in Indiana.

American Veterinary Medical Association

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is the largest and oldest national veterinary organization, representing more than 90,000 veterinarians all over the world. It provides resources for both members and non-members alike on topics such as animal welfare, public health, research, and education. The AVMA also publishes numerous resources to aid in continuing education, including journals and position statements. In addition, they provide a variety of programs to benefit veterinary assistants in the state of Indiana, such as internships, scholarships, and job boards. For those who wish to become certified veterinary assistants in Indiana, the AVMA offers certifications through their Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).

Working as an Indiana Veterinary Assistant

The state of Indiana is a great place to work as a vet assistant, with a number of opportunities available. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2,520 vet assistants are currently employed in the state. The average annual salary is $28,900, which is higher than all of the surrounding states. Some urban areas offer higher pay, including the Indianapolis and Carmel regions, where annual salaries reach as much as $29,460. The statewide average hourly wage is $13.89.

Veterinary Assistant Salaries in Indiana by Region

AreaTotal EmployedAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI1,130$13.74$28,580
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN510$13.09$27,220
Elkhart-Goshen, IN30$12.51$26,030
Evansville, IN-KY80$12.82$26,660
Fort Wayne, IN140$11.06$23,010
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN850$13.26$27,580
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN360$11.00$22,890
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI120$12.11$25,180

The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (INVMA) in Indianapolis is an excellent place to start when looking for available veterinary assistant job openings. You may also consider reaching out to nationally-known Veterinary Centers of America or Banfield Pet Hospital, each of which has several Indiana locations available to pursue employment. Privately owned animal practices are also excellent places to start your path in the veterinary field, including Binford Pet Wellness Clinic in Indianapolis or Community Animal Hospital in Warsaw.

Search Veterinary Assistant Programs

Get information on Veterinary Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings