Veterinary Assistant Schools in Montana

Veterinary establishments nationwide are experiencing an overwhelming boom, increasing pressure on veterinarians and veterinary technicians. This has also revealed how important veterinary assistants are to a veterinarian’s smooth operation.

Montana is not exempt from this challenge, and several individuals in the state are being encouraged to pursue a career as a veterinary assistant. Readers of this page who are about to start a career as a vet assistant in Montana will find some vital resources below to help them on their journey.

These include the educational options and pathways, top programs, certification possibilities, and projected income categories.

How to Become a Veterinary Assistant in Montana

These steps are needed to become a successful veterinary assistant trainer in Montana.

Technical Skills

Prospective veterinary assistants must be able to carry out technical duties before they can become full-fledged professionals. For this, most training programs prioritize teaching topics such as examination room sanitization, post-operative care, and animal restraints during the early stages of training.

Hands-On Skills

After learning the fundamentals of the profession at the earlier stages, aspiring veterinary assistants will be able to apply their skills in a veterinary environment. Externships are some of the most common ways to facilitate this.

Professional Skills

Along with technical and hands-on skills, professional skills are vital to securing employment as a veterinary assistant and growing on the job. These include customer service skills, problem-solving skills, clerical and administrative skills, and inventory control, among others.

Job Placement

After receiving training, veterinary assistants can work in various veterinary environments. However, certification greatly helps their cause, and we look deeper into this consideration below.

Explore careers with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a veterinary technician in Montana

Top Veterinary Assistant Training Schools in Montana

Aspiring veterinary assistants in Montana should consider any of the top-class programs below for their introductory education.

Explore nearby states for education and training:

• Veterinary assistant schools in Idaho

Licensure & Certification Requirements

As a fresh veterinary assistant in Montana, I know that no laws force candidates to become licensed before they can start working professionally. Working in the state without certification is also possible, but this is rare.

Most veterinary assistants in Montana have the Approved Veterinary Assistant designation from the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Although optional, people overwhelmingly go after this credential because it can be quite effective for career opportunities.

For one, a certified veterinary assistant will appeal more to prospective employers, leading to better chances for job placement. They will also be able to access resources to improve their skills.

To qualify for NAVTA certification, candidates must attend an accredited program or complete the externship/work experience requirements. They must also renew their credentials every two years.

Salary & Career Outlook

In Montana, most veterinary assistants fall into the median earning category, averaging an annual average salary of $44,156. Those who have spent some time on the job can earn up to $54,108 or more in annual average salary, among the top 10%.

Those who are just beginning or still need to optimize vital factors may fall among the bottom 10%, where the annual average salary is around $36,035. Location is another factor that can always be considered when influencing the annual income of veterinary assistants in Montana.

A survey of state professionals showed that Bozeman is the highest-paying city for professionals in this field, with an annual average salary of $48,755. Butte and Belgrade are second and third, with annual average salaries of $48,028 and $43,131, respectively.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a continual increase in employment for veterinary assistants in Montana and across the country.