Veterinary Assistant Program 3.0
Course Details
The VetBloom Veterinary Assistant Program is a comprehensive seven-module program designed to provide learners with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to begin a career in veterinary medicine. The structured curriculum combines a variety of learning experiences, including online coursework, lectures, interactive activities, readings, visual learning materials, knowledge checks, quizzes, and hands-on training.
In addition to the seven learning modules, learners will complete an externship that provide opportunities to apply their knowledge and develop practical skills in a veterinary setting. Learners will also complete a Midterm Assessment and Final Assessment at designated points throughout the program to evaluate their understanding of key concepts and overall readiness.
Hands-on training and externship experiences are completed in a full-service veterinary facility under the supervision and guidance of veterinary professionals. These experiences allow learners to apply concepts introduced throughout the online program while developing confidence and familiarity with the veterinary assistant’s role.
The program is designed for individuals who have a passion for animals and are interested in pursuing a career in the veterinary field, including those with little or no previous veterinary experience.
Examples of What You Will Learn
Throughout the program, learners will develop knowledge and skills in areas including:
- The veterinary healthcare team and veterinary facility operations
- Basic medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, and breed identification
- The human-animal bond and compassionate patient care
- Animal behavior and safe canine and feline handling and restraint
- Animal husbandry, therapeutic bathing, and basic grooming
- Basic patient assessment and nursing care
- Medical records, patient history taking, and patient information management systems (PIMS)
- Treatment plans, exam room workflow, and patient discharge procedures
- Common diseases, parasites, zoonotic diseases, and infectious disease control
- Basic emergency readiness, triage, and crash cart preparedness
- Medical calculations and medication administration
- Basic pharmacology, controlled substances, and pharmacy procedures
- Basic laboratory procedures and canine and feline wellness testing
- Intravenous fluid therapy and treatment documentation
- Basic nutrition and understanding pet food labels
- Inventory management and veterinary facility supplies
- Workplace safety, OSHA standards, and proper handling of medical, hazardous, and medication waste
- Radiology safety and fundamentals and an introduction to advanced imaging, including CT and MRI
- Surgical preparation, surgical instruments and packs, and anesthetic machine fundamentals
- Critical thinking and recognizing when and how to seek assistance
- Professionalism, veterinary facility conduct, and teamwork
- Client communication, phone skills, and front desk procedures
- Empathy and compassion in veterinary care
- Respectful handling of deceased patients and remains
- Ongoing learning and professional development
Throughout the seven modules, learners will encounter knowledge checks and quizzes designed to reinforce important concepts and assess their understanding of the material. The Midterm Assessment and Final Assessment provide additional opportunities for learners to demonstrate their knowledge and identify areas that may require further review.
By combining a comprehensive online curriculum, varied learning experiences, formal assessments, a hands-on externship, the VetBloom Veterinary Assistant Program prepares learners to effectively support the veterinary healthcare team and contribute to safe, compassionate, and high-quality patient care.