Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Go Back to List 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Medical software

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.
	Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
	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.
	Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
	Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
	Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
	Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
	Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
	Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.

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.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	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.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	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.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	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.
	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.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

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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 $50,459.00 $24.26  $18.57  $19.16 - $27.92  Bridgeport/Stamford $53,612.00 $25.78  $19.70  $19.98 - $28.93  Danbury $48,883.00 $23.50  $18.13  $18.63 - $27.51  Hartford $49,419.00 $23.76  $18.41  $18.91 - $25.51  New Haven $49,615.00 $23.85  $18.40  $18.86 - $27.08  New London/Norwich $48,100.00 $23.13  $17.79  $18.34 - $26.82  Waterbury $48,595.00 $23.37  $18.33  $19.11 - $24.75  Torrington $49,027.00 $23.57  $18.22  $18.70 - $28.69

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   251   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited 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.