Veterinary Assistant Resume Example (Free Guide)

Welcome to our Veterinary Assistant Resume Example article! If you are looking to apply for a veterinary assistant position but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place. Here, we’ll provide you with valuable tips and tricks to make sure your resume stands out among the competition. We’ll also provide you with an example of an effective veterinary assistant resume, which you can use as a template for creating your own. Let’s get started!

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Veterinary Assistant do?

A Veterinary Assistant provides support for a veterinarian by performing many of the day-to-day tasks that help keep a veterinary practice running. They may help restrain animals, clean and maintain animal cages, prepare and administer medications, collect samples for lab testing, and assist with administrative duties such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records. Veterinary Assistants may also help provide basic care for the animals, such as grooming, bathing, and providing exercise.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Veterinary Assistant related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Veterinary Assistant?

Clean and maintain animal cages, kennels, runs, yards, and examination and operating rooms.
Provide basic nursing care such as cleaning and dressing wounds, giving injections, and collecting laboratory specimens.
Assist veterinarians in examining and treating animals.
Feed and bathe animals, and administer medications as prescribed by veterinarians.
Take and develop X-rays and administer anesthesia.
Maintain records of animal care and treatments.
Answer telephones, schedule appointments, and greet clients.
Order and maintain inventories of drugs, supplies, and equipment.

Sample Veterinary Assistant Resume for Inspiration

Personal Details:
Name: John Smith
Phone: 555-555-5555
Email: johnsmith@example.com
Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, NY 00000

Summary:
John Smith is a highly-qualified Veterinary Assistant with seven years of experience providing exceptional care to a wide variety of animals. He is knowledgeable in animal healthcare and is passionate about helping animals in need. He has a compassionate and caring demeanor with animals and their owners, and is an asset to any veterinary team.

Work Experience:

Veterinary Assistant, ABC Animal Clinic, Anytown, NY - May 2013 to Present

Provide excellent care to a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles
Assist with surgeries and other medical treatments
Administer medications, vaccines, and other treatments
Manage medical records and document patient progress
Provide excellent customer service to pet owners

Animal Care Attendant, XYZ Veterinary Hospital, Anytown, NY - August 2010 to May 2013

Provided excellent care to a variety of animals, including cats, dogs, birds, and reptiles
Assisted the veterinarian with treatments and surgeries
Administered medications, vaccines, and other treatments
Managed medical records and documented patient progress
Provided excellent customer service to pet owners

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science, Anytown University - 2010

Skills:

Animal Care
Animal Health
Veterinary Medicine
Surgery Assistance
Medication Administration
Recordkeeping
Customer Service

Certifications:
Certified Veterinary Technician, State of New York

Languages:
English (Native)

Resume tips for Veterinary Assistant

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Veterinary Assistant resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Veterinary Assistant - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight your education and certifications
Include specific skills that relate to the job
Demonstrate your knowledge of animal health and welfare
List any relevant experience you may have, such as in a clinic or laboratory
Showcase any volunteer work, such as with local animal shelters

Veterinary Assistant Resume Summary Examples

A Veterinary Assistant Resume Summary or Resume Objective helps job seekers stand out from the competition and show potential employers why they are a great fit for the position. It’s an opportunity for job seekers to highlight their experience and skills, as well as demonstrate their knowledge of the veterinary field. By providing an overview of your qualifications and experience, employers can quickly decide if you’re the right candidate for the job. Additionally, it’s an excellent way to grab a potential employer’s attention and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.

For Example:

Veterinary assistant with 2+ years experience providing excellent patient care in a fast-paced animal hospital.
Recent veterinary assistant graduate with strong organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
Dedicated veterinary assistant with 7+ years providing animal care in a veterinary clinic setting.
Highly organized veterinary assistant with 5+ years experience administering medications, treatments, and vaccinations.
Detail-oriented vet assistant with 5+ years of experience in a busy animal clinic. Skilled in patient care, record keeping, and administrative tasks.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Veterinary Assistant Resume

Building a strong experience section for a veterinary assistant resume is important because it allows potential employers to quickly and easily assess your qualifications, skills, and experience. This section should include details such as the duties you performed, the amount of time you spent in each role, and any awards or distinctions you may have earned. It is also important to include any relevant certifications or training you have completed. Having a strong experience section demonstrates to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to be successful in the role.

For Example:

Provided excellent customer service to clients of all breeds and sizes.
Performed basic animal maintenance, such as nail trims and ear cleaning.
Served as the primary assistant for the veterinarian during examinations.
Assisted with the ordering and stocking of medical supplies and treatments.
Trained and supervised new veterinary assistants.
Drafted daily reports of animals admitted and discharged.
Assisted in the proper restraint and handling of animals.
Maintained cleanliness and order in the veterinary clinic.
Greeted customers and managed the clinic's front desk.
Assisted with the preparation of animals for surgery.

Veterinary Assistant resume education example

Veterinary assistants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers may prefer or require applicants to have a certificate or associate degree in veterinary assisting. Some schools offer certificate or associate programs in veterinary assisting. Such programs may include courses in veterinary anatomy, pharmacology, medical terminology, nutrition, and office management.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Veterinary Assistant resume:

Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology, ABC College, Anytown, 2020
Certificate in Animal Nursing, ABC College, Anytown, 2020
Certificate of Veterinary Assistant, ABC College, Anytown, 2018

Veterinary Assistant Skills for a Resume

Adding skills to a Veterinary Assistant Resume is important because it shows potential employers that you have the abilities and knowledge necessary to perform the job successfully. It also provides evidence of the level of experience you have in the field and gives employers an idea of what you can offer to the position. Examples of skills that should be included on a Veterinary Assistant Resume include animal restraint, medical terminology, animal handling, pharmacy and drug administration, laboratory procedures, and client education.

Soft Skills:

Communication
Empathy
Organization
Teamwork
Patience
Problem solving
Time management
Detail oriented
Multi-tasking
Interpersonal

Hard Skills:

Animal Care
Medical Terminology
Lab Procedures
Inventory Management
Pharmacy Operations
Clinical Documentation
Radiology Services
Surgical Assistance
Animal Restraint
Sterilization Techniques

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Veterinary Assistant Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Veterinary Assistant resume

Highlight any professional experience that is related to veterinary assisting, such as working in a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, or pet store.
Include soft skills like patience, empathy, and a passion for animals.
List any certifications, such as the Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) credential.
Describe any additional skills that may be related to veterinary assisting, such as pet grooming or pet first aid.
Mention any relevant education, such as an associate’s degree in veterinary technology.
Demonstrate your commitment to continuing education by noting any relevant classes, seminars, or workshops.

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next job with the help of Resumaker.ai.