Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
Overview
Salary
Demand
Core Tasks
Technology Skills
Tools Used
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Top 10 Skills
Top 10 Abilities
Top 10 Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Education
Majors
Interests
Top 10 Work Styles
Work Values
Related Careers
Overview
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
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.
Salary Salary
Salary at 10th Percentile: $25K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $30K
Median Salary: $36K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $43K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $52K
Demand
Core 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.
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.
Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
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.
Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
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.
Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.
Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Customer and Personal Service
83%
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.
Medicine and Dentistry
83%
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.
Biology
80%
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
English Language
80%
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
69%
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Chemistry
66%
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Computers and Electronics
60%
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Clerical
59%
Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Education and Training
59%
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Sales and Marketing
54%
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
75%
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.
Critical Thinking
75%
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
73%
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
73%
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Complex Problem Solving
65%
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Monitoring
65%
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
65%
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
63%
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination
63%
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Top 10 Abilities
Deductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning
78%
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Near Vision
78%
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Expression
78%
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Information Ordering
75%
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).
Oral Comprehension
75%
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem Sensitivity
75%
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Recognition
75%
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Comprehension
75%
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Speech Clarity
68%
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Top 10 Work Activities
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
91%
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Assisting and Caring for Others
90%
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Documenting/Recording Information
88%
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Getting Information
87%
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
87%
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
85%
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing General Physical Activities
85%
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 of materials.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
84%
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
80%
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
80%
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Detailed Work Activities
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
Maintain medical facility records.
Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Administer non-intravenous medications.
Immunize patients.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Treat medical emergencies.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Treat dental problems or diseases.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Train medical providers.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Merchandise healthcare products or services.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Process medical billing information.
Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
Care for animals.
Work Context
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Work With Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
Education
Interests
Realistic
100%
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
86%
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
53%
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Social
43%
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
34%
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Artistic
24%
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Top 10 Work Styles
Attention to Detail
93%
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
91%
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Stress Tolerance
91%
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Integrity
89%
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Adaptability/Flexibility
88%
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Cooperation
88%
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control
87%
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative
86%
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort
81%
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Persistence
81%
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Work Values
Relationships
72%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
67%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Working Conditions
53%
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
48%
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
