"Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker"

Job Description - Part 1

Basic Job 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 post-operative 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.

Part 1	Part 2	Part 3	Part 4	Part 5
Duties / Tasks	Activities	Skills	Abilities	Knowledge / Experience

Click here to find the perfect career

Job Duties and Tasks for: "Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker"

1) Monitor animals' recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.

2) Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.

3) Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments and equipment.

4) Administer medication, immunizations, and blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.

5) Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.

6) Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination and operating rooms, and animal loading/unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.

Thanks for visiting CareerPlanner.com
How can we help you with your career?

1) Use Career Testing to find the perfect career

2) Use Career Counseling to discover your career direction

3) Use Personality Type Testing to learn what really motivates you

4) Is your resume getting you enough interviews?
See How To Write The Perfect Resume.

7) Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.

8) Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests such as taking and developing x-rays.

9) Fill medication prescriptions.

Is being a "Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker" your very best career choice?

Our Career Interest Test will show you which careers match your interests.

Our Free Personality Test will show you which careers match your personality and why.

10) Collect laboratory specimens such as blood, urine, and feces for testing.

11) Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.

12) Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.

13) Prepare surgical equipment, and pass instruments and materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.

14) Perform enemas, catheterization, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, and gavages.

15) Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions such as diet lists and schedules.

16) Exercise animals, and provide them with companionship.

17) Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, and breeding.

18) Educate and advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, and behavior problems.

19) Perform hygiene-related duties such as clipping animals' claws, and cleaning and polishing teeth.

20) Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.

21) Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals and disposal of corpses.

22) Perform office reception duties such as scheduling appointments and helping customers.

23) Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.

24) Write reports, maintain research information, and perform clerical duties.

25) Perform accounting duties, including bookkeeping, billing customers for services, and maintaining inventories.

26) Assist professional personnel with research projects in commercial, public health, or research laboratories.

27) Sell pet food and supplies to customers.

28) Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.