Home / Career Explorer / Healthcare

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$45,980	15400	19.3%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$45,980

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

15400

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

19.3%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

Related Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Maintain medical facility records.
Train medical providers.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Position patients for treatment or examination.
Communicate detailed medical information to patients or family members.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain.
Monitor patients following surgeries or other treatments.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Administer non-intravenous medications.
Immunize patients.
Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
Treat medical emergencies.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Prepare biological specimens for laboratory analysis.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Process x-rays or other medical images.
Operate diagnostic imaging equipment.
Maintain medical facility records.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Treat dental problems or diseases.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
Merchandise healthcare products or services.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Process medical billing information.
Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
Care for animals.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

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.
Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
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.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-technologist-technician/

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Session has been expired