Our next offering of this program will be Spring 2024.
Please check back periodically for updates.
**This class is not a NAVTA Exam Prep course.**
Prerequisites
Students must be at least 16 years old at the start of class and fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to register for this class, no exceptions. Students who are under 18 years old must have a parent/guardian sign off on a waiver to participate in the internship. Payment in full is due at time of registration.
Job Description
Veterinary assistants care for animals in clinics, animal hospitals, zoos and animal shelters. In this course, students will learn how to care for small animals and to recognize signs of illness and disease, handling and restraint of pets, exam room procedures, pharmacy and laboratory skills, radiology and diagnostic imaging, surgical tasks, legal issues, veterinary computer programs, facility maintenance and front office procedures.
Employment Outlook
According to the CT Department of Labor, the 2022 average hourly wage for Veterinary Assistants in CT was $15.02-$18.06 per hour.
Program Description
This is a fast-paced, 12-week course consists of 60 classroom hours and 50-hour optional internship at one of MCC’s many partnering veterinary offices in Hartford County and beyond (additional cost).
Students will learn how to care for small animals; recognize signs of illness and disease; handling and restraint of pets; exam room procedures; pharmacy protocols; legal issues; veterinary computer programs; facility maintenance and front office procedures. Students must complete and receive a passing grade on all assignments, quizzes and tests to be allowed to handle live animals in class and to participate in internship hours.
Course Completion:
To successfully complete this course students must earn a grade of 70 or above. Students cannot miss more than three classes. Arriving more than 30 minutes late or leaving more than 30 minutes before class ends will count as an absence. On the fourth absence, a student will receive a failing grade for the course.
Required textbooks/materials:
- Elsevier’s Veterinary Assisting Textbook, 4th Edition (ISBN 978-0323681452) by Margi Sirois (approximately $110) Available for purchase at the Bookstore or many online retailers.
- Elsevier’s Veterinary Assisting Workbook, 4th Edition (ISBN 978-0323681636) by Margi Sirois (approximately $40). Available for purchase at the Bookstore or many online retailers.
- Optional Internship: If doing the optional internship, you will also need navy blue scrubs (top and bottom) and sip-resistant sneakers. They are available at many online retailers or locally at stores such as The Scrub Wearhouse in Rocky Hill.
- Students are required to get a free student photo ID from the AST Info Desk.
Payment
Payment in full is due at the time of registration.
Drops and Refunds
Payment is due in full at time of registration. Non-Credit courses do not qualify for financial aid or payment plans. Students will not be dropped for non-payment. If a student registers for the course but does not pay, they will be billed regardless of whether they attend. Please see the Non-Credit Registration page for the refund policy.
Financial aid is not available for non-credit courses, however some need-based scholarships may be available.
More Information
For more information, see the Allied Heath section of the latest non-credit catalog or email us at CEinfo@manchestercc.edu.