Picture this: A dedicated professional working alongside veterinarians, ensuring animals receive proper care, comfort, and attention while maintaining clean, safe environments for both patients and medical staff.
Think about being the essential support person who helps calm a nervous dog before surgery, assists in monitoring vital signs during procedures, and ensures research animals receive proper care and feeding according to strict protocols.
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. They also clean and disinfect cages and work areas and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment.
These professionals are the backbone of veterinary practices and research facilities. They combine practical animal care skills with technical knowledge to support veterinary medicine and scientific research.
Total Employment: 115,770 (2023)
Common Names for Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
- Animal Care Provider
- Animal Caregiver
- Avian Keeper
- Certified Veterinary Assistant
- Emergency Veterinary Assistant
- Inpatient Technician Assistant
- Kennel Vet Assistant (Kennel Veterinary Assistant)
- Research Animal Attendant
- Small Animal Caretaker
- Veterinarian Assistant (Vet Assistant)
What Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Do
Their primary role is to support veterinarians and veterinary technicians in animal care to undertake the following:
- Facility Maintenance: Clean and disinfect animal quarters, examination rooms, and surgical areas to maintain sanitary conditions and prevent disease transmission.
- Medical Support: Assist veterinarians during examinations and procedures by restraining animals, preparing instruments, and monitoring vital signs to ensure safe and efficient treatment delivery.
- Record Keeping: Maintain accurate animal health records, medication schedules, and treatment documentation to ensure proper care continuity and regulatory compliance.
- Supply Management: Monitor, order, and stock medical supplies, medications, and feed to ensure adequate inventory for daily operations and emergency situations.
- Safety Protocol Implementation: Follow established safety procedures and protocols when handling animals and medical equipment to protect both staff and animals from injury or exposure.
- Basic Health Monitoring: Observe animal behavior, eating patterns, and physical conditions to report any concerning changes to veterinarians for timely intervention.
- Laboratory Assistance: Collect and prepare samples for laboratory testing, including basic specimen handling and processing to support diagnostic procedures.
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