National
| Median wages (2008) |
$10.20 hourly, $21,210 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
75,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
21,000 additional employees |
31-9096.00 - Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
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 post-operative 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant), Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech), Veterinary Assistant (VA), Kennel Technician, Veterinarian Assistant, Kennel Assistant, Groomer, Animal Caregiver, Animal Care Provider, Kennel Attendant
Tasks
- Monitor animals' recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination and operating rooms, and animal loading/unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Administer medication, immunizations, and blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments and equipment.
- Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests such as taking and developing x-rays.
- Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
- Prepare surgical equipment, and pass instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Animal shearing or clipping equipment — Animal razors; Electric animal clippers |
| Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use — Digital veterinary x ray equipment; Stationary veterinary x ray equipment |
| Muzzles |
| Urinalysis analyzers — Urinalysis equipment; Urinometers |
| Veterinary injection or suction units or accessories — Balling guns; Injection syringes; Vaccination syringes |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software |
| Label making software — Labeling software |
| Medical software — IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone; McAllister Software Systems AVImark; Practice management software PMS |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
