Veterinary Assistant Schools in Illinois

The role of veterinarian assistants in Illinois — as well as any other country — involves carrying out clinical and administrative duties ranging from maintaining patient records to administering minor treatment.

Another exciting part of being a veterinary assistant is that it can lead to significant career advancement that may even culminate in kickstarting a career as a veterinarian.

However, regardless of your final aim for becoming a veterinary assistant in Illinois, you must become familiar with some critical information before beginning your career.

We look at all of these below, including educational requirements, licensure and certification, and possible salary.

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Illinois

Aspiring veterinary assistants in Illinois must follow the steps below to start their careers correctly.

Have a High School Diploma or GED

Illinois leaves educational and certification requirements to employers when hiring veterinary assistants in the state. Incidentally, most employers set a high school diploma or GED as the minimal educational qualification required of their vet assistants.

Select a Training Alternative

Aspiring veterinary assistants in Illinois can begin their careers by enrolling in an approved vet assistant school or obtaining on-the-job training.

Training from Vet Assistant Schools

One of the benefits of obtaining veterinary assistant training from a vet school is that students earn diplomas and certificates and make themselves more appealing to employers. Those who attend accredited schools may also qualify for professional credentials.

Below, we list some of Illinois’s most prominent vet assistant schools.

Training On-the-Job

As an alternative to attending a veterinary assistant training school, interested candidates may choose to obtain on-the-job training by working under the supervision of licensed veterinary technicians and veterinarians.

Consider Certification Alternatives

Like academic programs, professional certification may not be mandatory for a veterinary assistant in Illinois, but it has its benefits.

For instance, having a professional credential from NAVTA can give candidates an edge over their competition when seeking employment. It also paves the way for continuing education and acquiring more skills for career growth.

The most suitable NAVTA accreditation for veterinary assistants in Illinois to go for is the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) credential. Those who want an alternative to this may go for the certification offered by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Explore other careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a dog groomer in Illinois

Top Veterinary Assistant Schools in Illinois

The best destinations to receive veterinary assistant training in Illinois include:

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary assistant schools in Iowa

State Licensure & Certification Requirements

The state of Illinois does not set a licensure requirement for veterinary assistants. It does not require them to obtain certification, either.

Usually, as highlighted earlier, candidates choose to obtain certification thanks to the array of benefits it provides. Currently, the most popular credential for fresh veterinary assistants in Illinois to consider is the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) credential from NAVTA.

NAVTA approves most of the training schools highlighted above and thus provides a direct route to sitting for the AVA certification exam.

Candidates must obtain a score of at least 75% to pass the exam. They must also renew their credentials by receiving ten continuing education instruction credits every two years.

Salary and Career Outlook

The annual average salary for veterinary assistants in Illinois is $37,045. Of course, earning below or above this figure is possible, depending on several factors, including experience, employer, and certification.

Vet assistants who earn the most in the state earn an annual average salary of $46,729, while those at the lower end earn an average yearly salary of $29,368.

Chicago is the highest-paying city for veterinary assistants in Illinois, with an annual average salary of $43,802. Vernon Hills and Bloomington follow with average yearly salaries of $39,913 and $38,087.

Evergreen Park and Naperville round up the top five with annual average salaries of $37,503 and $35,102.