Veterinary Assistant | Holyoke Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 31-9092.00

Skills

Social PerceptivenessSpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingCoordinationService OrientationMonitoring

Knowledge

English LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryAdministrativeComputers and Electronics

Abilities

Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityNear VisionSpeech RecognitionWritten ExpressionSpeech ClarityDeductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning

Tasks

Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
Record patients' medical history, vital statistics, or information such as test results in medical r

Technology

Calendar and scheduling softwareBilling and invoicing softwareAccounting softwareOffice suite softwareData base user interface and query software

Tools

AudiometersAutoclavesBaumanometersBinocular light compound microscopesBlood chemistry analyzersBlood collection vialsBreathalyzersButterfly needlesCanesCast cuttersCentrifugesCredit card readersCrutchesCulturettesDictation equipment

Work Values

RelationshipsSupportAchievementWorking ConditionsRecognitionIndependence

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium31-9092.00	Medical Assistants	title_inference	$44,200 median$57,830 top	+12.48%	10,120

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certificate)

Patient medical histories and vital statistics — gather and document accurately with minimal oversight using clinic EHR systems in a busy ambulatory care environment.
Examination rooms and procedure trays — set up independently for a variety of routine patient visits, applying knowledge of physician preferences and exam types.
Patients with diverse needs — interview, prioritize, and prepare for physician encounters by applying active listening and social perceptiveness in a multi-provider practice.
Clinical instruments and materials — hand to physicians during routine examinations and minor procedures, anticipating needs based on familiarity with common workflows.
Injections and suture removals — perform under established standing orders, applying learned clinical technique with appropriate attention to patient safety.
Specimen collection and preparation workflows — manage independently, ensuring proper labeling, logging, and timely transport to laboratory services.
Treatment instructions, medication details, and dietary guidance — explain to patients with varying health literacy levels using clear verbal and written communication.
Medical software and billing platforms — use routinely to support accurate coding, invoicing, and administrative documentation in a clinical office setting.
Sterilization and instrument-management cycles — monitor and document to ensure ongoing compliance with infection-control standards across a full clinic day.
Time and patient flow — coordinate across multiple examination rooms by applying scheduling awareness and organizational skills in a high-volume practice.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.