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.
Work Activities
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Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
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Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
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Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
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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.
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Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
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Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
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Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
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Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
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Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
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Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
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Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
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Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
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Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
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Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
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Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
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Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
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Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
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Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
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Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
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Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
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Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
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Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
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Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
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Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
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Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
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Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
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Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
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Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
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Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
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Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.
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Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
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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.
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Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
- Education
Associate's degree
- Work Experience
No work experience
- Training
No on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
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Realistic:
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
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Attention to Detail
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Stress Tolerance
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Dependability
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Integrity
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Adaptability/Flexibility
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Cooperation
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Medical oxygen masks or parts
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Laryngoscopes or accessories
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Emergency medical services suction units or accessories
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Animal husbandry equipment
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Animal catching devices
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Word processing software
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Medical software
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Internet browser software
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Electronic mail software
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Data base user interface and query software
