If you have always loved animals, the profession of veterinary assistant may interest you. It consists of assisting a veterinarian during care and surgical interventions on animals. The assistant is also responsible for organizing the veterinary practice or clinic on a daily basis. To practice this profession, it is necessary to follow training and have certain qualities.
What training should I follow to become a veterinary assistant?
First of all, you should know that the veterinary assistant profession is divided into 5 levels. Level 1 mainly takes care of cleaning and maintenance operations while level 2 mainly takes care of secretarial tasks. To work directly in contact with animals, you must aim for at least level 3. To do this, you can follow the training provided by the centre-europeen-formation.fr. Being carried out remotely, this complies with the requirements of level 3 of the national collective agreement for veterinary practices and clinics. It is accessible from 16 years old, regardless of your level of studies.
This type of training has the advantage of allowing you to choose your pace of work. You will also be able to study in a familiar and personalized environment. To maximize your chances of success, however, you should not hesitate to learn to study at your own pace at home in good conditions.
With a BEP or CAP level, you can become a qualified veterinary assistant (AVQ, level 4). In this case, your missions will include technical and administrative assistance, hygiene, safety and prevention as well as management of relations with animal owners. You will have to follow a one-year training course in alternation to practice the ADL profession. Another option is to do a validation of acquired experience (VAE) after having worked for at least 1 year as an employee or volunteer in a veterinary office or clinic. This system allows you to obtain a diploma without back to school.
Level 5, i.e. profession of specialized veterinary assistant (ASV), is also accessible with a BEP level. However, you will need to follow a work-study course lasting 2 years and be at least 18 years old. It is also possible to obtain the ASV title through a VAE. In addition to the missions of the previous levels, you will be required to take care of accounting management. You will also have to assist a veterinarian during additional care and examinations as well as before and after surgical interventions.
What qualities are required?
Several qualities are essential to become a veterinary assistant. It is particularly necessary to be in good physical condition. The veterinary assistant is in fact constantly on the move and must exert physical effort to carry out certain tasks such as moving animals, carrying products or bags of food, etc.
Since the veterinary assistant is the link between the veterinarian and the owner of an animal, he must also have a sense of contact and know how to be patient. In addition, he must be diplomatic. The veterinary assistant must be able to reassure owners.
THE cold blood is another quality required to be a veterinary assistant. The sight of sick or traumatized animals should in no case destabilize you. What’s more, you must be rigorous, autonomous and responsive.
In short, versatility is essential if you want to work as a veterinary assistant. Assisting a veterinarian is a demanding job that requires a real sense of organization as well as a certain amount of self-control.
What is the salary of a veterinary assistant?
The salary of a veterinary assistant in France cannot fall below the minimum wage. It varies depending on the level. In 2023, the level 1 veterinary assistant earns at least 1,756.65 euros gross monthly. For the level 2 veterinary assistant, the monthly amount of the minimum gross salary is 1,806.84 euros.
If you decide to become a veterinary assistant level 3, you will receive at least 1,840.30 euros of gross monthly salary. For their part, AVQs and ASVs receive respectively 1,890.49 euros and 2,007.60 euros of minimum gross salary per month.
The employer can freely increase these values. Various bonuses can also be added to the minimum salary of a veterinary assistant (seniority bonus, individual performance bonus, night bonus, etc.).
