Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)
- Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
- Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
- Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)
Alternate Job Titles
- Animal Care Technician (Animal Care Tech)
- Animal Health Technician (Animal Health Tech)
- Animal Technician (Animal Tech)
- 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)
- Swine Technician (Swine Tech)
- Veterinarian Lab Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech)
- Veterinarian Technician (Vet Tech)
- Veterinary Assistant (Vet Assistant)
- Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Vet Lab Tech)
- Veterinary Nurse (Vet Nurse)
- Veterinary Surgery Technician (Vet Surgery Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- English Language
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Speech Clarity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Stress Tolerance
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adult Magill forceps
- Adult non-rebreather oxygen masks
- Adult stylets
- Aerosol nebulizers
- Airway suction units
- Ambu bags
- Ambulances
- Anesthesia syringes
- Animal capture nets
- Animal catching poles
- Animal electrocardiograph ECG units
- Animal nail trimmers
- Animal snares
- Arterial line catheters
- Artificial airway holders
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Physical Proximity
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $32,120 |
| Median | $45,980 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $60,880 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 131,320
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,320
Surgical Assistants
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $60,290
Medical Assistants
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $44,200
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $67,260
Surgical Technologists
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $62,830
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.