Veterinary Medical Assistant
じゅういりょうほじょしゃ
Industry & Occupation
Classification
- Major : Medical, Nursing, and Health Occupations
- Middle : Healthcare Assistants
- Minor : Other Healthcare Assistants
Summary
A profession that assists veterinarians with animal examinations, treatments, surgeries, and daily care under their instructions.
Description
Veterinary medical assistants work in animal hospitals or clinics following veterinarians' instructions. Specifically, they prepare instruments before examinations, restrain animals, assist with blood tests and X-rays, prepare for surgeries and manage instrument sterilization, administer medications and monitor post-treatment progress, care for hospitalized animals, assist with explanations to pet owners, handle reception duties, and perform cleaning and inventory management within the facility, supporting the safety and peace of mind of animals and their owners.
Future Outlook
Due to the aging of pets, increasing number of kept animals, and growing awareness of animal welfare, demand for veterinary medical assistants is expected to increase steadily. Having specialized knowledge and qualifications will increase opportunities for career advancement.
Personality Traits
Calm and Composed / Excellent Observation Skills / Good Team Player / Likes Animals / Strong Sense of Responsibility
Work Style
Animal Hospital Work / Day Shift System / Full-time / Night Shift / Part-time Available
Career Path
Junior Veterinary Medical Assistant → Senior Veterinary Medical Assistant → Chief Veterinary Medical Assistant → Animal Nurse → Animal Hospital Manager
Required Skills
Animal Restraint Technique / Inspection Technique / Instrument Preparation and Disinfection / Medication Assistance / Vital Signs Measurement
Recommended Skills
Animal Care Knowledge / Communication Skills (Pet Owner Interaction) / Emergency Response (First Aid) / English Literature Reading
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptability | Flexibility is needed to respond to animals' conditions and sudden situations. |
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | High accuracy is required in tasks such as medication dosages and surgical instrument management. |
| Communication Skills | Smooth communication with pet owners and veterinarians is important. |
| Learning Agility & Knowledge Acquisition | Continuous learning of veterinary knowledge and care methods specific to different animal species is necessary. |
| Physical Stamina & Endurance | Physical stamina is required for moving animals and long hours of standing work. |
| Stress Tolerance | Tolerance for high-stress situations such as animal pain and emergency responses is necessary. |
| Collaboration & Teamwork | Because work is done in cooperation with veterinarians and other staff. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Creativity & Ideation | The work involves following procedures, so creativity is not particularly required. |
Related Qualifications
- Companion Animal Husbandry Management Technician
Aliases
- Animal Nursing Assistant
- Veterinary Assistant
Related Jobs
- Animal Nurse
- Veterinarian