Career Advice

Career Advice & Opportunities in Veterinary Health Care

The veterinary health care team is essential to our practice at Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals. Every person in every position matters greatly and contributes to our high standard of care for companion animals.

Explore Each Role in the Veterinary Profession

Veterinary Technicians

A veterinary technician is an important member of our veterinary health care team, providing technical support to the veterinarian in every aspect of care. They are trained professional support staff, providing nursing and assistance to veterinarians. Technicians provide patient monitoring, animal restraint, surgical and dental assistance, and laboratory diagnostics. They are responsible for administration of medicines, treatments, and anesthesia, among other vital animal care and veterinary clinical tasks.

Read more about becoming a veterinary technician

Veterinary Assistants

A veterinary assistant is an important member of our veterinary healthcare team, assisting the veterinarians and technicians in performing daily tasks. Veterinary assistants perform duties such as handling patients, cleaning and setting up equipment, reception and clerical work, and kennel care.

Read more about becoming a veterinary assistant

Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS)

Veterinary technician specialists receive additional specialized training, testing, and certification in an area of veterinary medicine. Recognized specialties include dental technology, behavior, emergency & critical care, anesthesia, internal medicine, zoological medicine, and equine veterinary nursing.

Read more about becoming a veterinary technician specialist

Veterinary Technician Assistant Certification Program

This program is held at Brookdale Community College and taught by Janet McConnell, CVT, and Karen Norton, CVT, of Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals.

This program is accredited through the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) and is given in collaboration with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital. Veterinary Technician Assistants (VTA) become an integral part of the veterinary health care team, working under the guidance of a veterinarian or credentials veterinary technician.

Through classroom and clinical instruction, the assistant becomes multi-skilled and knowledgeable in the following: front office procedures, client relations, pharmacy, examination room procedures, behavior and restraint, small animal nursing, laboratory procedures, surgical prep and recovery, radiology, and emergency response (150 hours).

VTA Program Prerequisites

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Successful completion of “Applied Math in Health Care” or a grade of C or better
  • English language proficiency
  • Pass criminal background check and drug screen
  • Physical including tetanus
  • Fitness for duty form and privacy form signed

Credit

Students who successfully complete the Veterinary Technician Assistant program are eligible to receive two college credits toward the Veterinary Technician Program (AVMA approved) at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, if further education is desired. Students will be advised of the steps needed to continue their education at Bergen Community College at the conclusion of the VTA program. Successful completion of didactic (75%) and 100% attendance is required for clinical placement.

AVA Credential

Successful graduates are eligible to sit for the National Veterinary Assistant Exam and become an AVA (Approved Veterinary Assistant), a new and nationally recognized member of the veterinary health care team.

High School Mentorship

Veterinary Mentorship for Monmouth Co. High School Seniors

Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals offers an eight-week mentorship program for high school seniors seeking a supervised educational experience in a veterinary hospital.

Select local high schools have integrated mentorship programs into their curriculums for their senior class students and are continually seeking potential mentors. Red Bank Veterinary Hospitals has participated in this program since 2001. The purpose of this eight-week mentorship is to provide senior students from Monmouth County a collaborative learning experience with a science/health related theme. Mentor sites host students two hours per day, three days per week.

Student Requirements

  • 18 years old (or within three months of it with proper paperwork).
  • Rabies vaccines for hands-on participation. Students are in a controlled supervised educational position so, if shadowing only, they do not require the vaccine.
  • Proof of health insurance.
  • Background check and drug test are not required for this position.

Available Positions

  • One per semester

Compensation

  • None to student

Affiliated High Schools

  • High Tech High School in Lincroft, New Jersey
  • Allied Health and Science in Neptune, New Jersey

Contact our hospital for additional information.