Description
Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Stress Tolerance
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Tasks
- Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
- Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
- Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
- 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.
Work Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Detailed Work Activities
- 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.
- Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Performing General Physical Activities - Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Presentation software
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- English Language
- Mathematics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Veterinary Technician Specialist in NutritionCertifying Organization
Academy of Veterinary Nutrition Technicians
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - CardiologyCertifying Organization
Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Veterinary Technician National ExamCertifying Organization
American Association of Veterinary State Boards
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Veterinary Internal Medicine Technician - NeurologyCertifying Organization
Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certificate in CardiologyCertifying Organization
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $NaN |
| Median (50%) | $NaN |
| High (90%) | $NaN |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–7 years), to senior level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
| Entry Level | $50,000 |
| Mid Level | $100,000 |
| Senior Level | $150,000 |
Employability
There are currently 125,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 150,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 19%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 19%
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), with ONET® being a registered trademark of USDOL/ETA. Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA; CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA) and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED); and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CVs
Resumes
Cover Letters
Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast