Quick Search - Results

Keyword(s): "3213"

3213 Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians

Veterinary and animal health technologists and technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and government.

Example Titles

animal health technologist
laboratory animal technician
veterinarian assistant
veterinary technician
veterinary technologist

View all titles

Main duties

Veterinary and animal health technologists and technicians perform some or all of the following duties:

• Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals
• Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery
• Produce radiographs, collect samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
• Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery, and by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
• Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of veterinarian
• Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
• Provide wound and bandage care
• Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
• Counsel clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care
• Conduct and assist in laboratory research
• Perform routine animal dental procedures, and assist veterinarians with animal dentistry
• May perform a variety of office management and clerical duties.

Employment requirements

• Completion of a two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required.

• Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings.

• Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians'/technologists' associations is available and is mandatory in some provinces.

Additional information

• With experience, veterinary and animal health technologists and technicians may progress to supervisory positions.

Classified elsewhere

• Pet Groomers and Animal Care Workers (6483)