Veterinary assistant (Tiermedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r)
You help the vet during treatment, welcome owners and look after animals: a paid 3-year training in a veterinary practice or clinic.
What a veterinary assistant does
Veterinary assistants help the vet with operations and X-rays, carry out laboratory tests, manage the pharmacy and look after animals on the ward. They also welcome owners.
Assist
Help the vet during operations and X-rays, prepare equipment and medicines.
Care
Look after animals on the ward, carry out laboratory tests, manage the practice pharmacy.
Welcome and advise
Receive owners, give appointments, advise on prevention and appropriate animal care.
This occupation is for you if…
- you love animals and accept close contact with them
- you are careful with medicines and hygiene
- you listen well to worried owners
- you keep calm when faced with a sick animal
Less suitable if…
- you cannot cope with animal smells and droppings
- you are uncomfortable around sick or dead animals
- you refuse any on-call duty or varying hours
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Assisting the vetHygiene and disinfectionLaboratory testsX-rays and radiation safetyPharmacy managementAnimal careReception and billingPersonal qualities
Love of animalsRigourComposureEmpathyTeamworkHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
The basics
- Hygiene and protection
- Reception and administration
- First aid
Animal care
- Assisting examinations
- Intermediate exam
- Pharmacy and equipment
Consolidation
- X-rays, laboratory
- Assisting treatments
- Final exam
Exams and qualification
A written intermediate exam (Zwischenprüfung) takes place before the end of the second year: hygiene, protection against infections and animal diseases, first aid, materials management, data. The final exam has a practical part, with a professional discussion, and a written part: treatment assistance, organisation, infectious diseases, radiation protection, economics. Qualification via the competent chamber.
You are paid during the training
Gross monthly pay during the training. These amounts are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Paid training from the first year
- Daily work with animals
- Jobs in practices, clinics or animal parks
- Next steps: office management or studies
Difficulties
- Close contact with sick or injured animals
- Smells, droppings and sometimes work in enclosures
- Emotionally difficult situations
- On-call duty possible depending on workplace
Where it can lead
Qualified veterinary assistant
Jobs in veterinary practices, animal clinics or animal parks.
Adaptation courses
Update your skills, from medical assistance to hygiene in healthcare settings.
Management or studies
Become an office and project management specialist, or study veterinary medicine with a baccalaureate.
Other trainings: Health and well-being
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
What health documents must I provide?
Do I need a specific school certificate?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.