Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians typically perform the following 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. • Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books. • 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. • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians. • Restrain animals during exams or procedures. • Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures. • Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials. • Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed. • Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth. • Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms. • Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages. • Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers. • Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination. • Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas. • Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment. • Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status. • Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease. • Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data. • Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.