Veterinary Technologist & Technician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A veterinary technologist and technician could...

Overview Listen to this section

Everyday heroes in the animal healthcare world are veterinary technicians and technologists. Just as nurses assist doctors, veterinary technicians and technologists are on the front lines, assisting veterinarians. As part of their duties, they perform initial physical exams, take samples, run tests in the lab, monitor patients' heart and respiratory rates, give shots, and assist in surgery and dental work. Their work helps relieve animal suffering and prevent future disease.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Veterinary Technologist & Technician?

1. 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.
2. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
3. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
4. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
5. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

6. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
7. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
8. Service Orientation: ? Actively looking for ways to help people.
9. Coordination: ? Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
10. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Veterinary Technologist & Technician might do:

• 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.
• Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
• Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
• Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
• Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
• Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
• Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
• Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
• Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
• 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.
• Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
• Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
• Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
• Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
• Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
• Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
• Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
• Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
• Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
• Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
• Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
• 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.