Job Description

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.

Sample of reported job titles: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Emergency Veterinary Technician, Internal Medicine Veterinary Technician, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT), Medical Technologist, Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT), Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Laboratory Technician (Veterinary Lab Tech), Veterinary Nurse, Veterinary Technician (Vet Tech)

Tasks

• Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.

• Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
• Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals’ responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
• Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
• Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
• Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.

• 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.
• Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
• Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
• Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.

• Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
• Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
• Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, and respiration data.
• Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
• Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.

• Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
• Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
• Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
• Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.

• Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
• Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
• Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
• Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
• Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.

• Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
• Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
• Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
• Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals’ hair.
• Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.

Technology Skills

• Data base user interface and query software – FileMaker Pro ; Microsoft Access
• Electronic mail software – Microsoft Outlook
• Internet browser software – Web browser software
• Medical software – Animal Intelligence Software Animal Intelligence; McAllister Software Systems AVImark ; Veterinary practice management software PMS

• Office suite software – Microsoft Office
• Presentation software – Microsoft PowerPoint
• Spreadsheet software – Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software – Microsoft Word

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.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Biology – Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Mathematics – Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Medicine and Dentistry – Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

• Clerical – Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Skills

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Active Learning – Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Service Orientation – Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Writing – Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Science – Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Abilities

• Oral Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Deductive Reasoning – The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Oral Comprehension – The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• 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.
• Information Ordering – The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Near Vision – The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Recognition – The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Written Comprehension – The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Inductive Reasoning – The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Speech Clarity – The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Category Flexibility – The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Finger Dexterity – The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Flexibility of Closure – The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

• Written Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness – The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• 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.
• Trunk Strength – The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without ‘giving out’ or fatiguing.
• Auditory Attention – The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

• Extent Flexibility – The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Mathematical Reasoning – The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Number Facility – The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Perceptual Speed – The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
• Selective Attention – The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

• Static Strength – The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
• Time Sharing – The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

Work Activities

• Getting Information – Observing , receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Documenting/Recording Information – Entering , transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

• Assisting and Caring for Others – Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates – Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings – Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events – Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 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.

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material – Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems – Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting w ith Computers – Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization – Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work – Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Processing Information – Compiling , coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge – Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• 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.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards – Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Training and Teaching Others – Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others – Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Analyzing Data or Information – Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Controlling Machines and Processes – Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Handling and Moving Objects – Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships – Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information – Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others – Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing Administrative Activities – Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Selling or Influencing Others – Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Scheduling Work and Activities – Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

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Detailed Work Activities

• Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
• Maintain medical facility records.
• Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.

• Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
• Position patients for treatment or examination.
• Treat medical emergencies.
• Prepare medications or medical solutions.
• Administer non-intravenous medications.

• Immunize patients.
• Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
• Clean medical equipment or facilities.
• Collect biological specimens from patients.
• Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.

• Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
• Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
• Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
• Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
• Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.

• Process x-rays or other medical images.
• Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
• Treat dental problems or diseases.
• Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
• Schedule patient procedures or appointments.

• Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
• Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
• Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
• Supervise patient care personnel.
• Train medical providers.

• Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
• Order medical supplies or equipment.
• Merchandise healthcare products or services.
• Perform clerical work in medical settings.
• Process medical billing information.

• Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.