Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
What is a Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers?
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers are professionals who play a crucial role in the care and handling of animals in veterinary settings and laboratory environments. Veterinary Assistants primarily support veterinarians and veterinary technicians by performing routine tasks related to the care of animals, including feeding, bathing, and transporting animals, assisting in examinations, and maintaining cleanliness in the clinic. They may also handle administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, managing medical records, and communicating with pet owners about their animals' health. Laboratory Animal Caretakers, on the other hand, specialize in the care of animals used in research and educational settings. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, and monitoring the health of laboratory animals, ensuring that the animals are kept in humane conditions and that their environments are conducive to research protocols. Additionally, they may assist scientists and researchers in preparing animals for procedures or experiments. Both roles require a strong compassion for animals, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of animal behavior. They often work in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities, and educational institutions. With ongoing advancements in veterinary medicine and animal research, the demand for skilled Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers continues to grow, offering rewarding career opportunities for those passionate about animal welfare and care.
Tasks
- 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.
Technology Skills
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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Medical software
- IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone
- McAllister Software Systems AVImark
- Practice management software PMS
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Label making software
- Labeling software
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Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
Tools Used
- Veterinary injection or suction unit
- Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use
- Urinalysis analyzers
- Animal shearing or clipping equipment
- Medical x ray films or cassettes
Knowledge
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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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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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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.
Skills
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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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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Less than high school diploma
Work Activities
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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical 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.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities
- Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
- Give medications or immunizations.
- Monitor patients to detect health problems.
- Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
- Control prescription refills or authorizations.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$28550.0 - $46630.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.