Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Careers / Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Summary Description


	Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine post-operative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Animal Care Provider

2.	Animal Care Service Worker

3.	Animal Care Taker

4.	Animal Caregiver

5.	Animal Health Technician

6.	Avian Keeper

7.	Emergency Veterinary Assistant

8.	Laboratory Animal Caretaker

9.	Research Animal Attendant

10.	Small Animal Caretaker

11.	Technician Assistant

12.	Veterinarian Assistant

13.	Veterinarian Helper

14.	Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant)

15.	Veterinary Attendant

16.	Veterinary Technician Assistant (Vet Tech Assistant)

Job Tasks

	Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures. Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.

	Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease. Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.

	Fill medication prescriptions. Control prescription refills or authorizations.

	Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals. Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. Give medications or immunizations.

	Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries. Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.

	Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms. Monitor patients to detect health problems.

	Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment. Clean medical equipment. Maintain medical equipment or instruments.

	Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury. Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.

	Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems. Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

	Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians. Give medications or immunizations.

	Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces for testing. Collect biological specimens from patients.

	Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures. Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.

	Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules. Feed patients.

	Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals. Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

	Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays. Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.

	Exercise animals or provide them with companionship. Assist patients with daily activities.

	Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies. Prepare patient treatment areas for use. Stock medical or patient care supplies.

	Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages. Administer basic health care or medical treatments.

	Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses. Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards. Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.

	Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding. Record vital statistics or other health information.

	Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers. Schedule patient procedures or appointments. Perform clerical work in medical settings.

	Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth. Assist patients with daily activities.

	Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories. Process medical billing information. Inventory medical supplies or equipment.

	Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties. Prepare medical reports or documents. Perform clerical work in medical settings.

	Sell pet food or supplies to customers.

	Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests. Assist patients with daily activities.

	Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats. Assist patients with daily activities.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
	Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers look after animals in laboratories, animal hospitals, and clinics. They care for the animals by performing routine tasks under the supervision of scientists, veterinarians, and veterinary technologists and technicians.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
	Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers work mainly in clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. Their work may be physically and emotionally demanding.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

Before becoming an actor, Bob Newhart worked as an accountant.

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