Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers Go Back to List 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Medical software

Tasks
	Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
	Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
	Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
	Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
	Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
	Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
	Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
	Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
	Fill medication prescriptions.
	Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.

Skills
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Knowledge
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.   Related Experience:   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.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $41,861.00 $20.13  $15.13  $15.44 - $21.09  Bridgeport/Stamford $39,404.00 $18.94  $15.59  $15.58 - $19.25  Danbury $35,966.00 $17.29  $15.15  $15.29 - $18.12  Hartford $36,530.00 $17.56  $14.96  $15.11 - $18.73  New Haven $53,745.00 $25.84  $15.74  $15.78 - $31.53  New London/Norwich $38,296.00 $18.42  $15.06  $15.26 - $22.67  Torrington $37,000.00 $17.79  $14.77  $14.88 - $18.88

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   247   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than average, and the number of annual openings will offer very good job opportunities.

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	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.