Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Human Advantage71%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation RiskModerate Risk
3.6 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
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 postoperative 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.
Also Known As:Animal Care Provider, Animal Care Service Worker, Animal Care Specialist, Animal Caregiver, Animal Caretaker, Animal Health Technician, Avian Keeper, Certified Veterinary Assistant +12 more
Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
Fill medication prescriptions.
Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.
Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.
Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.
Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.
Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.
Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.
Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.
Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.
Sell pet food or supplies to customers.
Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
Supplemental Tasks (2)
Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
78%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
11%
Less than a High School Diploma
6%
Some College Courses
4%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.
0%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0%
Technology & Tools
★ Hot Technologies
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
Software (13)
IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone
Labeling software
McAllister Software Systems AVImark
Medical software
Practice management software PMS
Scheduling software
Word processing software
Tools & Equipment (52)
Animal nail clippers
Animal razors
Animal restraints
Balling guns
Bandage scissors
Benchtop centrifuges
Bite gloves
Blood collection syringes
Chemical sterilizers
Commercial dryers
Commercial washing machines
Desktop computers
Digital cameras
Digital veterinary thermometers
Digital veterinary x ray equipment
Electric animal clippers
Electronic animal scales
Evacuated blood collection tubes
General purpose laboratory test tubes
Glass beakers
Handheld refractometers
Hematology analyzers
Injection syringes
Intravenous IV administration sets
Label printers
Laboratory forceps
Laptop computers
Lead aprons
Lead gloves
Mechanical stethoscopes
Microchip readers
Microhematocrit centrifuges
Microscope slides
Multi-line telephone systems
Muzzles
Optical compound microscopes
Personal computers
Pill counters
Retriever PACS
Specimen collection containers
Stationary veterinary x ray equipment
Steam autoclaves
Suture scissors
Tourniquets
Urine analysis equipment
Urinometers
Veterinary anesthesia machines
Veterinary blood pressure cuffs
Veterinary immersion hydrotherapy equipment
Veterinary vaccination syringes
X ray cassettes
X ray film processors
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Animal Systems Healthcare & Human Services
Zone 2
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