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Veterinary Assistant Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Veterinary Assistant interview questions and answers.

  1. What are your educational qualifications that make you suitable for this job? See answer
  2. Certifications demonstrate a candidates desire to grow professionally. Are there any certifications you have pursued? See answer
  3. Sick animals may suddenly become aggressive and difficult to handle. What tactics would help you handle an aggressive animal? See answer
  4. What type of cleaning duties did you perform in your previous position as a veterinary assistant? See answer
  5. Sick animals require a conducive environment. How do you ensure a comfortable environment for animals under your direct care? See answer
  6. At the end of the day, what brings you satisfaction as a veterinary assistant? See answer
  7. What are the symptoms of a cat suffering from FeLV? See answer
  8. What is the largest number of animals you have cared for in a kennel facility? See answer
  9. How do you assess the correct food portions and determine nutrition needs for animals in your care? See answer
  10. How would you educate animal owners on proper dental care for their pets? See answer
  11. Do you have previous experience assisting veterinarians before, during or after surgical procedures? See answer
  12. As a veterinary assistant responsible for grooming animals, what methods and products would you use on different animals? See answer
  13. What is your strategy for dealing with compassion fatigue? See answer
  14. A veterinary assistant’s main duties involve working with animals. What animals have you worked with in the past?
  15. Is there any other role in veterinary practise that you feel capable of filling or train for in the future?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Veterinary Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

What are your educational qualifications that make you suitable for this job?

This question allows to gauge whether the prospective veterinary assistant has the prerequisite academic qualifications to perform the duties of the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • The candidate's educational background
  • Relevant professional qualifications
  • The institutions the candidate attended

Example:

"In High School, I undertook biology and zoology where I learned a lot about animal behaviour, anatomy and physiology. Since I love animals, I later pursued an online diploma in Veterinary Assisting for nine months. I undertook topics like animal behaviour and restraint, small animal nursing, medication dosage, and surgical preparation."

Certifications demonstrate a candidates desire to grow professionally. Are there any certifications you have pursued?

While you may already know about the candidate's professional certifications, this question will allow you to understand their motivations towards professional development. What to look for in the answer:

  • Additional relevant professional certifications
  • Drive for continued professional development
  • Motivation and enthusiasm

Example:

"While veterinary assistants don't need to be licenced, I have completed a voluntary Dogsafe Canine First Aid certification. I am currently undertaking Cat and Dog First Aid offered online by the American Red Cross. I believe these courses will be helpful for my career progress and make me a better staff member in your clinic."

A veterinary assistant's main duties involve working with animals. What animals have you worked with in the past?

This question will allow you to gauge whether the candidate is prepared to handle all types of animals that clients may bring to your clinic. What to look for in an answer:

  • List of animals they have handled before
  • Examples of procedures on those animals
  • Desire to work with all animals

Example:

"In my previous position, I have handled cats, dogs, horses, and cows for various procedures such as surgery, vaccination, and dressing. While I do not have an uncomfortable relationship with any animal, I particularly like cats and dogs."

Sick animals may suddenly become aggressive and difficult to handle. What tactics would help you handle an aggressive animal?

Veterinarians are assisted by veterinary assistant's when treating animals. This question tests the candidates techniques in handling aggressive animals during the administration of treatments. What to look for in an answer:

  • Specific techniques of managing an agitated animal
  • Knowledge of animal behaviour
  • Example of an actual scenario they have handled before

Example:

"I've had many brushes with aggressive animals even before I became a veterinary assistant. I recall one instance in my current position where I had to deal with a dog that was involved in a motor accident. The dog became aggressive when we strapped it for dressing. I use various tactics, such as using my voice to calm them down and carefully restraining them."

What type of cleaning duties did you perform in your previous position as a veterinary assistant?

One of the main duties of a veterinary assistant is to clean up after a veterinary or surgical procedure. You may ask this question to gauge a candidates experience with cleaning tasks. What to look for in an answer:

  • Specific cleaning duties performed in past roles
  • Comfort level with cleaning duties
  • Importance of sanitation in animal services

Example:

"I did various cleaning jobs such as keeping the kennels clean and dry, and disinfecting surfaces and surgical equipment. Occasionally, I showed a client how to wash a sick animal or clean wounds. Cleaning animals, equipment, and animal areas is essential for hastening the patient's healing process and fighting new infections."

Sick animals require a conducive environment. How do you ensure a comfortable environment for animals under your direct care?

A veterinary assistant is critical in creating a good environment for sick animals. You may ask this question to gauge whether a candidate has the ability to provide and maintain a relaxing environment for patients under their care. What to look for in an answer:

  • Basics of a conducive animal care environment
  • How to take care of sick animals
  • Interpreting signs of a distressed animal

Example:

"A conducive environment at the clinic or hospital is essential for animal care. I always ensure that animals are staying apart to avoid cross-infection or the animals fighting each other. I also ensure the living areas are clean. In addition, I ensure that there is not too much noise in the premises to avoid provoking the already distressed animals."

At the end of the day, what brings you satisfaction as a veterinary assistant?

Every job has its challenges, but also some memorable moments. You may ask this question to gauge a prospective veterinary assistant passion for the or if they are genuinely interested in the job. What to look for in an answer:

  • What the candidate likes about the job
  • What motivates them
  • Example of a memorable event at work

Example:

"I have always liked animals. Having worked as a volunteer at a zoo, I pursued a career in animal care. I became interested in supporting animals to get better after suffering sickness or injury."

What are the symptoms of a cat suffering from FeLV?

Feline immunodeficiency virus (FeLV) is a disease that infects cats. A veterinary assistant job candidate may be tested by this question to establish their knowledge of common cat ailments. What to look for in an answer:

  • Common FeLV symptoms
  • Ability to explain veterinary jargon
  • How to handle a cat suffering from FeLV

Example:

"Some symptoms of FeLV in cats include sudden loss of appetite accompanied by progressive weight loss. The gums may appear pale and you are also likely to spot yellow colouration in the mouth. The animal posts persistently high fever and the coat loses its normal texture while appearing unkempt."

What is the largest number of animals you have cared for in a kennel facility?

Kennel facilities may face a huge influx of patients, especially during disease breakouts. You may ask this question to assess the candidates capacity for a heavier workload. What to look for in an answer:

  • The specific workload
  • How they handled the workload
  • Any lessons learned

Example:

"I have worked in a fairly busy environment. One such period was during the outbreak of the Avian flu, where the clinic was handling at least 100 birds per day. I liked the experience despite the fatigue as it drew great team efforts from everyone at the facility."

How do you assess the correct food portions and determine nutrition needs for animals in your care?

Sick animals require a balanced diet and appropriate food portions to ensure a quick recovery. This question tests a prospective veterinary assistant knowledge of feeding sick animals. What to look for in an answer:

  • How to feed sick animals
  • Appropriate food for sick animals
  • Different types of animal food

Example:

"A sick animal loses their appetite and this may affect the recovery speed. A balanced diet in the right portions is critical for recovery. Before feeding sick animals, I always consult my supervisor, a veterinary doctor, just to be sure I am doing the right thing. When an animal refuses to eat, I document the observation to allow for further diagnosis and treatment."

How would you educate animal owners on proper dental care for their pets?

Dental problems in pets are some of the most prevalent cases that pet owners have to contend with. You can ask this question to evaluate candidates knowledge of animal dental care. What to look for in an answer:

  • Cause of dental problems
  • How to prevent dental problems
  • Candidate communication and presentation skills

Example:

"When a client brings their animals with dental issues to the hospital, I always take my time to give a content-rich brief on proper dental care for animals. This includes daily brushing, right feeds, giving chew toys, and regular examinations. I believe that prevention is better than cure and this makes our clients trust us more with their animals."

Do you have previous experience assisting veterinarians before, during or after surgical procedures?

Veterinary assistants play an important role in preparing animals and equipment for surgery. You may pose this question to establish whether the candidates have previous experience in the animal surgery room. What to look for in an answer:

  • Example of involvement in a surgery
  • Their exact role in the surgery
  • Summary of the experience

Example:

"Yes. I have assisted veterinary doctors to prepare for surgery, during the actual operation, and after the surgery. My role involved preparing and cleaning the surgical equipment, a surgical table, and restraining the animal. I also observed and recorded notable signs of the animal in the post-surgery recovery room and briefed the doctor appropriately."

As a veterinary assistant responsible for grooming animals, what methods and products would you use on different animals?

Different animals require different method and products of grooming. This question tests the candidate's knowledge of animal grooming. What to look for in an answer:

  • How to groom animals
  • Safe methods of grooming animals
  • Safe products for grooming animals

Example:

"I always ensure that I use recommended products for every animal. This includes checking the product label to ensure it is safe and consulting my supervisor when in doubt. I also ask clients what products they use to avoid confusion. Grooming may involve combing fur, washing the animal in treated water, or clipping long nails."

Is there any other role in veterinary practise that you feel able of filling or train for in the future?

Employers need to understand employees career development goals. This question gives you a window to learn about the career goals of the candidate and if those goals fit into your business objectives. What to look for in an answer:

  • Candidates career objective
  • Any other roles they can play
  • Training needs, immediate or future

Example:

"Yes. In the future, I wish to pursue a veterinary technician course and become a certified veterinary technologist. In the meantime, I am happy to perform my role as a veterinary assistant."

What is your strategy for dealing with compassion fatigue?

Compassion fatigue is the emotional and physical exhaustion one may experience when working with animals in distress, such as sickness or injury. You may ask this question to establish how the candidate copes with compassion fatigue. What to look in an answer:

  • If they have experienced compassion fatigue
  • How to prevent it
  • How to cope when it occurs

Example:

"Working with sick animals may be more challenging on some days. Although it is professional to be compassionate to animals and their owners, I have learned to develop mental shock absorbers. I overcome compassion fatigue by journalling about my tough experiences and having debriefing sessions with family and friends."

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