Median Annual Wage: $31,070
Education: Associate's degree (68%); High school diploma or equivalent (12%); Post-secondary certificate (11%)
Projected Growth: Much faster than average (22% or higher)
Related Job Titles: Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech); Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT); Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT); Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT); Veterinary Assistant; Veterinary Nurse; Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician; Medical Technologist; Emergency Veterinary Technician; Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech)
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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians.
More Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Careers
- Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
- Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
- Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
- Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
- Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
- Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
- Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
- Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
- Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
- Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
- Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
- Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, and respiration data.
- Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
- Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
- Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
- Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
- Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
- Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
- Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
- Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
- Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
- Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
- Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
- Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
- Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
- Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
- Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Source: O*NET OnLine information for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians.