Example Career: Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Career 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 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.

What Job Titles Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Might Have

• Animal Care Provider
• Animal Caregiver
• Certified Veterinary Assistant
• Veterinarian Assistant (Vet Assistant)

What Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Do

• 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.
• Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
• Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.

What Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Should Be Interested In

• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Social - Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

What Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Need to Learn

• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.