Veterinary Assistant Schools in Maine

Like most states, Maine has been experiencing a surge in demand for veterinary assistants. This has renewed state residents’ interest in exploring this exciting and highly rewarding profession.

If you are in this situation, you have reached the right page. The resources on this page explore everything prospective veterinary assistants in Maine need to know to launch their careers properly and conveniently.

After reading, you’ll understand the educational and licensure requirements, what programs to enroll in, and what salary projections to expect across a veterinary assistant career in Maine.

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Maine

Veterinary assistants in Maine usually start their careers by following the outline below.

Receiving Technical Training

Attending a training program is the first and most important step to becoming a successful veterinary assistant in Maine. Candidates may prioritize attending a training program accredited by NAVTA to enjoy certification opportunities.

They may also choose to attend an online program for more convenience. And yes, accredited online programs are available.

Hands-On Experience

To familiarize themselves with their potential duties, candidates are usually advised to receive training in a real-world environment to complement their academic training. For this, they may participate in internships or take advantage of other “on-the-job” training opportunities.

Career Opportunities & Continuing Education

Even after securing employment at a veterinary clinic or animal healthcare facility, vet assistants in Maine should continue to improve themselves through advanced education. This may open up more career opportunities and help them move to a more advanced profession.

Certification helps greatly in this regard, and we explore this issue in-depth below.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• How to become a vet technician in Maine

Top Veterinary Assistant Training Schools in Maine

The following programs have a reputation for producing successful veterinary assistants in Maine.

Explore neighboring states for education and training:

• Veterinary assistant schools in Massachusetts

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers certification for veterinary assistants in Maine and across the country. Candidates must attend an accredited training program to become certified.

However, those who didn’t also have other pathways they may utilize for certification. For instance, the association allows qualification through real-world experience and externship.

Those who have made the qualification requirements may enroll for the certification examination, pass, and receive their official “Approved Veterinary Assistant” designation and credentials. Once certified, the next issue is maintenance.

Approved veterinary assistants must maintain their credentials every 2 years through 10 continuing education credits.

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary for veterinary assistants in Maine is $41,699. The annual average salary for those in the top 10 percent of the state is $52,119, while the annual average salary for those in the bottom 10 percent is $33,362.

A veterinary assistant’s experience and credentials will determine their annual salary, and their location in the state will also matter.

Those who would like to focus on this criterion may consider Portland, where veterinary assistants earn the highest relative annual salary in Maine, with an annual salary of $50,799. They may also consider Wells and Kittery, with annual average salaries of $43,021 and $41,775, respectively.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for veterinary assistants in Maine will continue to increase thanks to the projected increase in pet-related spending and the need to replace aging/retiring workers.