VETERINARY ASSISTANT AND LABORATORY ANIMAL CARE TAKER

Job Definition:

• Veterinary technicians and assistants carry out advisory, diagnostic, preventive and curative veterinary tasks, more limited in scope and complexity than those carried out by veterinarians. They care for animals under treatment and in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assist veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.

Job Description:

• 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.

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Monitor animals’ recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
• 2) Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
• 3) Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments and equipment.
• 4) Administer medication, immunizations, and blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
• 5) Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
• 6) Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination and operating rooms, and animal loading/unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• 7) Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
• 8) Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests such as taking and developing x-rays.
• 9) Fill medication prescriptions.
• 10) Collect laboratory specimens such as blood, urine, and feces for testing.
• 11) Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
• 12) Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
• 13) Prepare surgical equipment, and pass instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
• 14) Perform enemas, catheterization, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, and gavages.
• 15) Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions such as diet lists and schedules.
• 16) Exercise animals, and provide them with companionship.
• 17) Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, and breeding.
• 18) Educate and advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, and behavior problems.
• 19) Perform hygiene-related duties such as clipping animals’ claws, and cleaning and polishing teeth.
• 20) Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
• 21) Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals and disposal of corpses.
• 22) Perform office reception duties such as scheduling appointments and helping customers.
• 23) Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
• 24) Write reports, maintain research information, and perform clerical duties.
• 25) Perform accounting duties, including bookkeeping, billing customers for services, and maintaining inventories.
• 26) Assist professional personnel with research projects in commercial, public health, or research laboratories.
• 27) Sell pet food and supplies to customers.
• 28) Groom, trim, or clip animals’ coats.

Activities:

• 1) Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• 2) Performing General Physical Activities — 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.
• 3) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 4) Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 5) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 6) Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 7) Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 8) Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 9) Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• 10) Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 11) Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• 12) Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• 13) Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Abilities:

• 1) Problem Sensitivity — 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.
• 2) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 3) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• 4) Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• 5) Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• 6) Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• 7) Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• 8) Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• 9) Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Knowledge:

• Customer and Personal Service — 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.