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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$37320	22200	8.7%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$37320

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

22200

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

8.7%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

Education, Training and Experience

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

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Detailed Work Activities

Order medical supplies or equipment.
Monitor patients to detect health problems.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Give medications or immunizations.
Clean medical equipment.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.
Control prescription refills or authorizations.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
Feed patients.
Assist patients with daily activities.
Record vital statistics or other health information.
Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
Prepare patient treatment areas for use.
Stock medical or patient care supplies.
Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Prepare medical reports or documents.
Process medical billing information.
Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
Sell products or services.

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

Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
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.
Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.
Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.
Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.
Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.
Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.
Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.
Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.
Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.
Sell pet food or supplies to customers.
Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

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.

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