Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

Overview

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers has a national median salary of $38,150 per year, with +9.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

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 postoperative 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.

Work Values

• Relationships
• Support
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
• Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
• Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
• Fill medication prescriptions.
• Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.

Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
• Getting Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Detailed Work Activities

• Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a bachelor's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Bachelor's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers:

Video Resources