Veterinary medical assistants provide support to clients, animal health technologists and veterinarians. Duties may include administration, animal handling and support with nutritional and pharmaceutical products. They also assist with record keeping and other clinical procedures and tasks.

This 1-year certificate program will provide students with the skills and confidence they will need to work in a front-line position as a veterinary medical assistant in private veterinary clinics, livestock centres and animal shelters. In addition to classroom instruction, students will get in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in animal clinics across Alberta.

Good attention to detail? Thrive on a fast pace and heavy workload? These are important traits of people interested in this program. This program is a good fit for anyone who is a people person and enjoys helping them with their animals.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

After a year of classroom instruction, the clinical placement will give students the hands-on experience at an animal clinic where they will get a taste of what their future career could look like. Travel may be necessary as some placements are outside of Edmonton. Students will also regularly support the animal health technologists at the NAIT Animal Clinic.