Veterinary Tech

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT); Emergency Veterinary Technician (Emergency Vet Tech); Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician (Internal Medicine Vet Tech); Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT); Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT); Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech); Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech); Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse); Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech); Veterinary Technologist

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.
• 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.
• Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
• Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
• Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• Medicine and Dentistry
• Biology
• English Language
• Mathematics
• Chemistry

Skills

• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Speaking
• Writing
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Problem Sensitivity
• Information Ordering
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Category Flexibility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Selective Attention
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Finger Dexterity
• Perceptual Speed
• Trunk Strength
• Auditory Attention