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 postoperative 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.
20 alternate job titles:
Salary Information
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: $37,320 (median) per year.
Starting salary (10th percentile).
Required expreience: Varies by Company
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
| Task Description | Category |
|---|---|
| Monitor patients to detect health problems. | Maintenance |
| Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. | Maintenance |
| Maintain medical equipment or instruments. | Maintenance |
| Give medications or immunizations. | General |
| Clean medical equipment. | General |
| Administer basic health care or medical treatments. | General |
| Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms. | General |
| Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety. | General |
| Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health. | General |
| Control prescription refills or authorizations. | General |
| Collect biological specimens from patients. | General |
| Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures. | General |
| Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. | General |
| Feed patients. | General |
| Assist patients with daily activities. | General |
| Record vital statistics or other health information. | General |
| Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients. | General |
| Prepare patient treatment areas for use. | General |
| Stock medical or patient care supplies. | General |
| Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards. | General |
| Schedule patient procedures or appointments. | General |
| Perform clerical work in medical settings. | General |
| Prepare medical reports or documents. | General |
| Process medical billing information. | General |
| Inventory medical supplies or equipment. | General |
| Sell products or services. | General |
| Order medical supplies or equipment. | General |
| Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment. | Analysis |
Technology Requirements
| Technology | Description |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Access | Data base user interface and query software |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software |
| IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone | Medical software |
| Labeling software | Label making software |
| McAllister Software Systems AVImark | Medical software |
| Medical software | Medical software |
| Practice management software PMS | Medical software |
| Scheduling software | Calendar and scheduling software |
| Word processing software | Word processing software |
Relevant Certifications
Industry certifications that may be valuable for this career role:
| Certification | Issuing Organization | Practice Test |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Not Available |
| Certified Farrier | American Farrier's Association | Not Available |
| Certified Journeyman Farrier | American Farrier's Association | Not Available |
| Certified Journeyman Farrier - Educators Endorsement | American Farrier's Association | Not Available |
| Certified Journeyman Farriers - Forging Endorsement | American Farrier's Association | Not Available |
| Certified Journeyman Farriers - Therapeutic Endorsement | American Farrier's Association | Not Available |
| Certified Manager of Animal Resources | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Not Available |
| Certified Tradesman Farrier | American Farrier's Association | Not Available |
| Certified Veterinary Practice Manager | Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, Inc. | Not Available |
| Diplomate of the ACVR - Veterinary Radiology | American College of Veterinary Radiology | Not Available |
| Laboratory Animal Technician | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Not Available |
| Laboratory Animal Technologist | American Association for Laboratory Animal Science | Not Available |