Details Report for:
31-9096.00 - 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. 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.
Sample of reported job titles: 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)
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Category | Task |
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93 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental | |
51 ![]() ![]() |
Supplemental |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software
- Data base user interface and query software — Microsoft Access
- Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook
- Label making software — Labeling software
- Medical software — IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone; McAllister Software Systems AVImark; Practice management software PMS
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Animal catching devices — Animal restraints
- Animal shearing or clipping equipment — Animal razors; Electric animal clippers
- Animal weighing scales — Electronic animal scales
- Bandage scissors or its supplies — Bandage scissors
- Bar code reader equipment — Microchip readers
- Benchtop centrifuges
- Binocular light compound microscopes — Optical compound microscopes
- Blood collection syringes
- Chemical or gas sterilizers — Chemical sterilizers
- Clothes dryers — Commercial dryers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks — Veterinary immersion hydrotherapy equipment
- Gas anesthesia apparatus — Veterinary anesthesia machines
- Handheld refractometers or polarimeters — Handheld refractometers
- Hematology analyzers
- Intravenous tubing with catheter administration kits — Intravenous IV administration sets
- Label making machines — Label printers
- Laboratory beakers — Glass beakers
- Laboratory forceps
- Laundry type washing machines — Commercial washing machines
- Medical acoustic stethoscope or accessory — Mechanical stethoscopes
- Medical picture archiving computer systems PACS — Retriever PACS
- Medical radiological shielding aprons or masks or drapes — Lead aprons
- Medical radiological shielding gloves — Lead gloves
- Medical x ray darkroom equipment or supplies — X ray film processors
- Medical x ray film or cassette — X ray cassettes
- Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use — Digital veterinary x ray equipment; Stationary veterinary x ray equipment
- Microcentrifuges — Microhematocrit centrifuges
- Microscope slides
- Multipurpose or general test tubes — General purpose laboratory test tubes
- Muzzles
- Notebook computers — Laptop computers
- Personal computers
- Protective gloves — Bite gloves
- Special purpose telephones — Multi-line telephone systems
- Specimen collection container — Specimen collection containers
- Steam autoclaves or sterilizers — Steam autoclaves
- Suture removers — Suture scissors
- Tablet counters — Pill counters
- Tourniquets
- Urinalysis analyzers — Urine analysis equipment; Urinometers
- Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers — Evacuated blood collection tubes
- Veterinary blood pressure testers — Veterinary blood pressure cuffs
- Veterinary clinical thermometers — Digital veterinary thermometers
- Veterinary injection or suction units or accessories — Balling guns; Injection syringes; Veterinary vaccination syringes
- Veterinary nail trimmers or cutters — Animal nail clippers
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Knowledge |
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83 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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64 ![]() ![]() |
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12 ![]() ![]() |
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9 ![]() ![]() |
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9 ![]() ![]() |
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7 ![]() ![]() |
Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Skill |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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56 ![]() ![]() |
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53 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Work Activity |
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90 ![]() ![]() |
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87 ![]() ![]() |
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30 ![]() ![]() |
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21 ![]() ![]() |
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21 ![]() ![]() |
Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Hold patients to ensure proper positioning or safety.
- Give medications or immunizations.
- Monitor patients to detect health problems.
- Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
- Control prescription refills or authorizations.
- Clean patient rooms or patient treatment rooms.
- Assess physical conditions of patients to aid in diagnosis or treatment.
- Conduct diagnostic tests to determine patient health.
- Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
- Collect biological specimens from patients.
- Perform clerical work in medical settings.
- Clean medical equipment.
- Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
- Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
- Record vital statistics or other health information.
- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
- Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
- Feed patients.
- Prepare patient treatment areas for use.
- Stock medical or patient care supplies.
- Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
- Dispose of biomedical waste in accordance with standards.
- Prepare medical reports or documents.
- Assist patients with daily activities.
- Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
- Process medical billing information.
- Order medical supplies or equipment.
- Sell products or services.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed |
Education | These occupations usually require a high school diploma. |
Related Experience | Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public. |
Job Training | Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations. |
Job Zone Examples | These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers. |
SVP Range | (4.0 to < 6.0) |
Education
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
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95 ![]() ![]() |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. ![]() |
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56 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
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28 ![]() ![]() |
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17 ![]() ![]() |
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17 ![]() ![]() |
Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Work Style |
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92 ![]() ![]() |
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88 ![]() ![]() |
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Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
29-2034.00 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians ![]() |
29-2051.00 | Dietetic Technicians ![]() |
29-2052.00 | Pharmacy Technicians |
29-2056.00 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians ![]() |
31-1121.00 | Home Health Aides ![]() |
31-1122.00 | Personal Care Aides ![]() |
31-2012.00 | Occupational Therapy Aides ![]() |
31-2022.00 | Physical Therapist Aides ![]() |
31-9091.00 | Dental Assistants ![]() |
31-9095.00 | Pharmacy Aides |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages (2019) | $13.75 hourly, $28,590 annual |
State wages | |
Local wages | |
Employment (2019) | 99,500 employees |
Projected growth (2019-2029) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2019-2029) | 16,900 |
State trends | |
Top industries (2019) | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (91% employed in this sector)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data
and 2019-2029 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2019-2029). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.