How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Tennessee - TN

By following these five steps, you can become a veterinary assistant in Tennessee.

Tennessee Education Requirements
Find a Veterinary Assistant Training Program
How to Become an Approved Veterinary Assistant in Tennessee
What’s After Schooling or Becoming an AVA?
Advancement Opportunities and Continuing Education for Tennessee Veterinary Assistants

Veterinary Assistant Careers in Tennessee

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has determined that the average salary of a veterinary assistant in Tennessee is $23,950 annually. That is not the topping-off point for vet assistants in Tennessee as there are many who earn more than that average. A number of vet assistants in Memphis, Nashville and Germantown report average salaries exceeding $27,000 per year. The demand for vet assistants across the United States keeps expanding and Tennessee is no exception as new vet assistant jobs continually open up throughout the state. There are currently more than 3,000 vet assistants working in Tennessee, which ranks sixth among all states. It is a competitive industry, although there is so much expansion that vet assistants are expected to have job stability for years to come in the state of Tennessee.

What job duties the position of a veterinary assistant may include:

Veterinary assistants find work in vet practices, pet hospitals, and clinics. They also play a critical role in all of those facilities. The job of a vet assistant is multi-dimensional and that makes for a fast-paced, high-energy career. As a result, vet assistants are valuable members of animal healthcare teams.

A brief look into the different responsibilities of a veterinary assistant:

Interacting with customers and answering client questions
Making follow-up calls and scheduling appointments
Assisting vets with filling prescriptions
Post-operative animal care
Requesting pet records from other facilities
Cleaning equipment and cages
Equipment cleaning
Preparing surgery and exam rooms
Animal feeding and pet restraint
Animal exercising duties
Updating pet records
Animal feeding and dietary monitoring
Clerical and administrative tasks
Inventory control

These tasks are performed on a regular basis by Tennessee veterinary assistants and are just some of the examples that prove why they are so valuable to animal healthcare teams.

1.Tennessee Education Requirements

Tennessee has not set forth any educational requirements for those looking to begin a career as a veterinary assistant. However, most people who pursue this avenue have earned at least a high school diploma or GED equivalency. In Tennessee, there are high schools, technical centers and post-secondary institutions that offer veterinary assistant training programs. Employers are permitted to create their own hiring criteria and generally look for vet assistants with some type of education. Yet, there is no educational quota for working vet assistants in Tennessee, nor is it mandatory to hold an AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant). Nevertheless, an AVA has the potential to create an abundance of opportunities for veterinary assistants in Tennessee.

2. Find a Veterinary Assistant Training Program

Enrollment in a veterinary assistant training program means that an individual has taken the initiative to further his/her career in this field. Training programs offer detailed instruction on everything a vet assistant needs to know when working in a vet practice or pet hospital. Experienced instructors relay the finer points of being a vet assistant so that students are equipped with the necessary skills when entering the job field. This instruction will cover medical terminology, identification of breeds, how to administer medications, how to handle chemicals and much more.

A few veterinary assistant campus and online programs in Tennessee:

Volunteer State Community College

1480 Nashville Pike

Gallatin, TN 37066-3188

(615) 452-8600 (Gallatin)

Lincoln Memorial University

6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway

Harrogate, TN 37752

800-325-0900

Southwest Tennessee Community College

5983 Macon Cove

Memphis, TN 38134

901-333-5000

Finding a NAVTA approved program:

The NAVTA (National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America) saw the need to create a veterinary assistant approval program in 2010. Before then, no such program existed. NAVTA used its expertise and prominence to put together guidelines for what is expected of a veterinary assistant training program. Those interested in finding out more information on a NAVTA Approved Veterinary Assistant Program can find a list here. There are now 35 approved programs within the U.S. and Canada, as well as 3 approved online programs. Tennessee does not have a NAVTA accredited campus program at this time. More information on the online accredited programs can be found here.

3. How to Become an Approved Veterinary Assistant in Tennessee

The state of Tennessee has no committee or board that issues a specific type of credentialing or licensing for veterinary assistants. Throughout the state, veterinary facilities are entrusted with setting their own guidelines for the hiring process. Most facilities look for vet assistants with some form of credentialing.

The VetMed Team has established a trio of options for veterinary assistants who are looking to become an AVA. Options exist for vet assistants with of all experience levels. Below is a look at the ways to become an approved veterinary assistant in Tennessee.

What is a Tennessee approved veterinary assistant (AVA)?

The Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) distinction is a national certificate awarded to veterinary assistants.

What are the approved available options by the NAVTA in Tennessee?

Externship Option: This is for those who are not currently employed in a veterinary practice, but are trying to find work as a vet assistant. This is a very beneficial experience as this type of hands-on learning is highly valued and even required by most practices.
Experiential Learner: This is for employed veterinary assistants in Tennessee. There must also be a 20-hour weekly minimum working in a full-service veterinary practice.
Veterinary Assistant Program: This is for Tennessee veterinary assistants who are already employed. Logging 20 hours per week in a full-service veterinary practice qualifies individuals for this option.

Once you complete an approved option.

When the requirements of an approved option are completed, then it’s on to taking the AVA exam for your designated program. A code is issued and terms can then be set for an exam date.

After passing the approved veterinary assistant examination in Tennessee.

A passing score will lead to your processing and issuance of a certificate. Congratulations! You are now an approved Tennessee veterinary assistant.

Staying current as a Tennessee AVA.

Your Tennessee AVA must be renewed every 2 years. You must undergo 10 continuing education credits within the next 2 years and also pay a renewal fee.

4. What’s After Schooling or Becoming an AVA?

The chance for a better future awaits approved veterinary assistants in Tennessee. Earning a credential of this kind enables vet assistants to separate themselves from other members of the profession. It could also lead to higher pay and better job prospects. Veterinary assistants with an AVA immediately become more appealing in the job market. Any animal healthcare team that features an approved veterinary assistant also has a heightened status. Here is a glimpse at some of the potential employers in the state of Tennessee.

Potential Veterinary Assistant Employers in Tennessee:

VCA (Veterinary Centers of America)

VCA needs no introduction as it has become an organization that is synonymous with providing a high standard of care. High quality is evident in the 750-plus VCA locations across the nation. Here are the Tennessee VCA locations.

VCA Eads Animal Hospital

3210 Cypress Ridge Drive

Eads, TN, 38028

901-867-7387

VCA Murphy Road Animal Hospital

4408 Murphy Road

Nashville, TN, 37209

615-383-4241

VCA Animal Care Center of Mt. Juliet

2701 N. Mt. Juliet Road

Mt. Juliet, TN, 37122

615-754-7387

VCA Ragland & Riley Animal Hospital

3207 Cookeville Hwy

Livingston, TN, 38570

931-498-3153

Banfield Pet Hospital

Veterinarian Warren J. Wegert introduced his vision for veterinary medicine and that led to the creation of the Banfield Pet Hospital in 1955. Banfield Pet Hospital now features more than 900 locations in the United States and also has a presence in Puerto Rico. The hospital was built on the idea that the best relationships are formed when people work together.

Below are the Banfield Pet Hospitals located in Tennessee.

Murfreesboro

1734 Old Fort Parkway

Murfreesboro, TN, 37129

(615) 890-5490

Smyrna

807 Industrial Blvd

Smyrna, TN, 37167

(615) 220-3600

Hermitage

4642 Lebanon Pike

Hermitage, TN, 37076

(615) 872-5282

Chattanooga N

5579 Highway 153

Hixson, TN, 37343

(423) 874-0138

Clarksville

2784 Wilma Rudolph Blvd

Clarksville, TN, 37040

(931) 906-8664

If you are lacking experience working with animals, then you can volunteer or become an intern while you continue your search for work.

5. Advancement Opportunities and Continuing Education for Tennessee Veterinary Assistants

Those who are working as a veterinary assistant, but are not an approved veterinary assistant (AVA), can change their professional career for the better. Earning the title of approved veterinary assistant will enhance your job prospects and help you to start climbing through the ranks of the veterinary field. Next up could be the transition to a veterinary technician and it may also provide the motivation and inspiration to pursue a career as a veterinarian.

Resources in Tennessee

VetMedTeam

Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Tennessee Valley Humane Society

Nashville Humane Association

Veterinary Assistant Jobs in Tennessee

Steps on How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Tennessee