How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Minnesota

Veterinary assistants are notable for their duties in keeping veterinary establishments running smoothly. These professionals collect samples, provide first aid, and provide pre-surgery care.

Starting a career in Minnesota involves meeting some basic requirements, enrolling in a training program, and meeting a few licensure/certification requirements. If you want to pursue a veterinary assistant career in Minnesota, the guide below should answer all your questions concerning these requirements.

As a bonus, you will also discover the best places to receive veterinary assistant training in the state and the salary figures to expect once you start your career.

Steps to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Minnesota

The following are the steps needed to become a veterinary assistant in Minnesota.

Step 1: Have a High School Diploma

Aspiring veterinary assistants in Minnesota often need a high school diploma or GED at various points of their journey. For starters, they may need it to secure admission into a training program and be asked for one when it’s time to secure employment.

Step 2: Begin a Training Program

There are several veterinary assistant training programs in Minnesota. Interested individuals are expected to attend one to learn what the field of veterinary assisting entails and to develop the crucial skills they’ll need to perform their duties at a very high level.

It is also worth mentioning that while it may be advantageous for candidates to attend training programs accredited by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), doing so is not mandatory.

It guarantees quality education while qualifying for various professional opportunities, as shown below.

We will also highlight some notable training schools in the state for candidates to consider.

Step 3: Develop Key Qualities

There are several key qualities that future vet assistants in Minnesota must develop along the way. These include compassion, manual dexterity, communication, detail orientation, and interpersonal skills.

Step 4: Employment

Lastly, anyone who has completed all of these steps may go on to secure placement at a veterinary establishment of choice. Some notable employers include Minnesota Veterinary Hospital, South Shore Veterinary Hospital, and Woodlake Veterinary Hospital, among others.

Consider Careers with Similar Paths:

• How to become a veterinarian in Minnesota

Licensure and Certification Requirements

There are no licensure requirements across the state of Minnesota for becoming a veterinary assistant. Candidates may pursue certification simply because of the professional opportunities that tend to arise.

The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) offers a nationally recognized AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant) credential.

To qualify for this credential, candidates must have graduated from an approved school or meet the work experience requirements. They must also renew their licenses every 2 years by participating in continuing education programs.

Top Veterinary Assistant Schools in Minnesota

The programs below are considered to be among the best vet assistant programs in Minnesota.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary Assistant Schools in Wisconsin

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of veterinary assistants in Minnesota was revealed by a survey to be around $41,188 for those who fall among the midpoint earners; $47,013 for those who fall among the highest earners; and $36,085 for those who fall among the bottom earners.

As one would expect, location plays a key role in influencing how much a veterinary assistant in the state takes home at the end of the year. Saint Paul is Minnesota’s highest-paying city for veterinary assistants, with an annual average salary of $43,407.

This is followed by New Hope, with an annual average salary of $43,059; Apple Valley, with an annual average salary of $42,131; Hermantown, with an annual average salary of $41,956; and Minneapolis, with an annual average salary of $41,841.