Veterinary assistants in Tucson, AZ make $31,000 to $32,000 per year on average.
With more experience, certifications, and skills, their take-home pay can go as high as $40,000 to $45,000 annually.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in veterinary assisting to earn a good salary, you should enroll in a veterinary assisting program and earn a certificate.
You have to undergo training that usually takes a few months so that you can be prepared for the duties that the job calls for.
Take a look at the list of veterinary assistant schools in Tucson, AZ below to see your options.
Pima Community College
About the School
Pima Community College is a two-year educational institution that serves Pima County.
They provide high-quality programs that equip students with the knowledge and skills that today’s employers look for and are necessary to transition into four-year programs.
From Education, Arts, and Business to STEM, IT, and Trades, their degree and certificate programs are designed to develop competencies in their students’ chosen fields.
Through their expert instructors, state-of-the-art facilities, and partnerships with employers, they want to become a Center Of Excellence and raise the bar on workforce-based education.
Fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, they have multiple campuses and centers throughout Tucson.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Practice Assistant Program is a certificate program that teaches the different skills involved in veterinary assisting in a veterinary facility.
It covers a wide range of topics, including medical terminology, basic animal care assisting skills, surgical assistance, and standard office procedures.
Its syllabus consists of three core courses:
- Veterinary Practice Assistant I
- Veterinary Practice Assistant II
- Introduction to Veterinary Facilities Practices
It requires 12 total credits.
Upon successful completion, students may choose to continue their veterinary studies by completing the Veterinary Technician AAS program.
Address: 2202 W Anklam Rd, Tucson, AZ 85709, United States
Pima Medical Institute
About the School
Pima Medical Institute is a private college that specializes in medical career programs.
They were founded in 1972 and have had more than 15,000 graduates over the years.
They offer instruction and training that focuses exclusively on healthcare professions in the medical, veterinary, and dental industries.
Their curriculum consists of certificate, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in various fields, including Healthcare Administration, Nursing, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Hygiene, and Paramedic.
Whether on-campus, online, or hybrid, they strive to deliver quality healthcare-focused education to improve people’s lives.
They possess institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
They also hold various degree and non-degree accreditation for their programs at their multiple campuses.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program aims to provide the necessary knowledge and training that prepares for entry-level employment as a veterinary assistant.
It covers clinical skills, such as animal nursing, laboratory testing, and surgical procedures, and administrative skills, such as medical records and client communication.
The program curriculum is divided into five parts:
- Career Prep Sequence – Includes Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology, CPR & First Aid, Math Fundamentals, Computer Basics, and Study Skills
- Professional Sequence I – Covers Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology, Clinical Lab Procedures, and Sequence I Clinical Applications
- Professional Sequence II – Features Animal Life Stages, Nutrition, and Husbandry, Animal Nursing and Radiography, Office Procedures, and Sequence II Clinical Applications
- Professional Sequence III – Teaches Pharmacology, Aseptic Technique, and Surgical Assisting, and Sequence III Clinical Applications
- Externship – Requires 400 hours of hands-on clinical experience in a hospital and/or surgery center
Enrollment options available are on-campus and hybrid (at select campuses).
Program length is approximately 9 months.
Address: 2121 N Craycroft Rd Building 1, Tucson, AZ 85712, United States
Carrington College
About the School
Carrington College is a college that provides healthcare education for students who want to pursue healthcare professions.
They offer certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in the Dental, Medical, and Veterinary Fields.
They have Trades and Industrial Programs too.
They strive to meet student, employer, and community needs by providing hands-on training and instruction delivered through in-classroom, online and blended learning.
They are committed to ensuring equitable and inclusive access to their programs, resources, and services to their diverse population of students.
Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, they have multiple locations in Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
Courses Offered
The Veterinary Assisting Program covers the clinical, laboratory, and administrative skills required to work as an entry-level veterinary assistant at veterinary facilities.
Its curriculum can be delivered in a traditional or blended format and teaches the following topics:
- Animal anatomy and physiology
- Nursing skills
- Animal surgical assisting
- Pharmaceutical chemistry and application
- Animal restraint
- Patient services
It also features front office skills, such as:
- Computer basics
- Appointment scheduling
- Telephone communication requirements
It includes an externship too, allowing students to get real-world practice in an actual veterinary healthcare setting.
The full program requires 270 lecture hours, 240 laboratory hours, and 180 externship hours.
Upon successful completion, graduates will receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Address: 201 N Bonita Ave #101, Tucson, AZ 85745, United States
Veterinary Assistant Schools by City in Arizona