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VETERINARY ASSISTANTS AND LABORATORY ANIMAL CARETAKERS
An Occupation in
 
Occupation 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 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. Excludes “Animal Caretakers” (39-2021).
 
Career Video:
  Video Icon  Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
  Open-captioning or video transcript included for the hearing impaired. Career videos brought to you by CareerOneStop. Copyright © 2017 All Rights Reserved.
 
Typical 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.
 
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..
  • 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..
  • 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..
  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming..
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications..
 
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Education & Training:
 
  Short-term on-the-job training (short demonstration up to one month)
 
Wage Information:
 
 
Region Average Annual Average Hourly Entry Level (hourly) Mid-Range  (hourly)
Statewide $46,747.00 $22.47 $17.12 $17.54 - $23.98
Bridgeport/Stamford $43,046.00 $20.70 $17.78 $18.03 - $23.21
Danbury $41,026.00 $19.73 $17.08 $17.49 - $21.77
Hartford $40,995.00 $19.71 $16.76 $17.16 - $21.61
New Haven $60,354.00 $29.02 $18.06 $17.98 - $33.95
New London/Norwich $42,119.00 $20.26 $17.02 $18.09 - $22.84
Waterbury $38,830.00 $18.67 $15.98 $16.00 - $19.78
Torrington $46,592.00 $22.40 $17.46 $18.12 - $24.14
      
Select a town to see its region Not sure which Region applies to you?
    

 
Occupation Outlook:
 
 
Region Employment Average Annual Growth Rate Average Annual Job Openings
2022 2032
State of Connecticut 1,120 1,400 0.2% 271
 
 
Chart of Growth Rate and Annual Openings   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.
Key:
  N/A = Not Applicable, ***** = Over $60.00 per hour, ##### = Over $124,821
 
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