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Veterinary Technologists and Technicians

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.

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    Work Activities

    Work Activities

    • Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
    • Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.
    • Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
    • Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
    • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
    • Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
    • Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.
    • Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.
    • Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
    • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
    • Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
    • Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
    • Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
    • Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.
    • Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.
    • Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
    • Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.
    • Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
    • Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.
    • Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.
    • Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
    • Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
    • Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.
    • Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
    • Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.
    • Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.
    • Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
    • Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
    • Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.
    • Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.
    • Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
    • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
    • Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.
    • Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.
    • Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
    • Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
    • Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
    • Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.
    • Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.
    • 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.
    • Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.

    Skills

    • Judgment and Decision Making

      Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.

    • Equipment Maintenance

      Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.

    • Quality Control Analysis

      Testing how well a product or service works.

    • Troubleshooting

      Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.

    • Coordination

      Changing what is done based on other people's actions.

    • Reading Comprehension

      Reading work-related information.

    • Writing

      Writing things for co-workers or customers.

    • Science

      Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.

    • Critical Thinking

      Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

    • Operation and Control

      Using equipment or systems.

    • Systems Analysis

      Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.

    • Operations Monitoring

      Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.

    • Complex Problem Solving

      Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

    • Active Learning

      Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.

    • Active Listening

      Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

    • Speaking

      Talking to others.

    • Negotiation

      Bringing people together to solve differences.

    • Time Management

      Managing your time and the time of other people.

    • Persuasion

      Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.

    • Mathematics

      Using math to solve problems.

    • Social Perceptiveness

      Understanding people's reactions.

    • Learning Strategies

      Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.

    • Service Orientation

      Looking for ways to help people.

    • Monitoring

      Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.

    • Instructing

      Teaching people how to do something.

    • Repairing

      Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.

    • Operations Analysis

      Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.

    • Management of Material Resources

      Managing equipment and materials.

    • Management of Financial Resources

      Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.

    • Systems Evaluation

      Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

    • Programming

      Writing computer programs.

    • Technology Design

      Making equipment and technology useful for customers.

    • Installation

      Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.

    • Equipment Selection

      Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.

    • Management of Personnel Resources

      Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.

    WorkKeys®

    Applied Math
    3
    Workplace Documents
    4
    Graphic Literacy
    4

    Abilities

    • Time Sharing

      Doing two or more things at the same time.

    • Rate Control

      Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.

    • Auditory Attention

      Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.

    • Night Vision

      Seeing at night or under low light.

    • Speed of Limb Movement

      Quickly moving your arms and legs.

    • Oral Expression

      Communicating by speaking.

    • Gross Body Coordination

      Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.

    • Spatial Orientation

      Knowing where things are around you.

    • Far Vision

      Seeing details that are far away.

    • Trunk Strength

      Using your lower back and stomach.

    • Written Expression

      Communicating by writing.

    • Depth Perception

      Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.

    • Speech Recognition

      Recognizing spoken words.

    • Visualization

      Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

    • Selective Attention

      Paying attention to something without being distracted.

    • Stamina

      Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.

    • Fluency of Ideas

      Coming up with lots of ideas.

    • Manual Dexterity

      Holding or moving items with your hands.

    • Sound Localization

      Noticing the direction that a sound came from.

    • Speech Clarity

      Speaking clearly.

    • Finger Dexterity

      Putting together small parts with your fingers.

    • Problem Sensitivity

      Noticing when problems happen.

    • Glare Sensitivity

      Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.

    • Flexibility of Closure

      Seeing hidden patterns.

    • Dynamic Flexibility

      Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.

    • Gross Body Equilibrium

      Keeping your balance or staying upright.

    • Control Precision

      Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

    • Perceptual Speed

      Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

    • Information Ordering

      Ordering or arranging things.

    • Number Facility

      Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.

    • Written Comprehension

      Reading and understanding what is written.

    • Dynamic Strength

      Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.

    • Memorization

      Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.

    • Extent Flexibility

      Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.

    • Peripheral Vision

      Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.

    • Mathematical Reasoning

      Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.

    • Near Vision

      Seeing details up close.

    • Visual Color Discrimination

      Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.

    • Speed of Closure

      Quickly knowing what you are looking at.

    • Inductive Reasoning

      Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.

    • Reaction Time

      Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.

    • Category Flexibility

      Grouping things in different ways.

    • Deductive Reasoning

      Using rules to solve problems.

    • Oral Comprehension

      Listening and understanding what people say.

    • Explosive Strength

      Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.

    • Static Strength

      Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.

    • Hearing Sensitivity

      Telling the difference between sounds.

    • Originality

      Creating new and original ideas.

    • Response Orientation

      Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.

    • Multilimb Coordination

      Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.

    • Arm-Hand Steadiness

      Keeping your arm or hand steady.

    • Wrist-Finger Speed

      Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.

    Knowledge

    • Biology

      Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

    • 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.

    • Physics

      Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

    • Production and Processing

      Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

    • Fine Arts

      Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

    • Foreign Language

      Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.

    • Food Production

      Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

    • Communications and Media

      Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

    • Engineering and Technology

      Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

    • 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.

    • Personnel and Human Resources

      Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

    • Computers and Electronics

      Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

    • Geography

      Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

    • Design

      Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

    • English Language

      Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

    • History and Archeology

      Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

    • Building and Construction

      Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

    • Law and Government

      Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

    • Psychology

      Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

    • 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.

    • Mechanical

      Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

    • Sociology and Anthropology

      Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.

    • 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.

    • Economics and Accounting

      Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

    • Therapy and Counseling

      Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

    • Administrative

      Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

    • Philosophy and Theology

      Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

    • Telecommunications

      Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

    • Public Safety and Security

      Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

    • 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 methods.

    • 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.

    • Mathematics

      Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

    • Transportation

      Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

    Career Video

    Additional videos and more information available on CareerOneStop

    Pay

    • Ohio Annual Salary 37820/yr
    • Typical Salary
    • Ohio Hourly Wage 18.18/hr
    • Typical Hourly Wage

    Ohio Employment Trends

    • Currently Employed 5,100
    • Yearly Projected Openings 500

    Typical Education

    Personality

    Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.They do well at jobs that need:
    • Attention to Detail
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Dependability
    • Integrity
    • Adaptability/Flexibility
    • Cooperation

    Tools

    • Air rifles or air handguns
    • Ambulances
    • Analgesic infusion sets or kits
    • Animal catching devices
    • Animal husbandry equipment
    • Animal shearing or clipping equipment
    • Animal weighing scales
    • Arterial line catheters
    • Artificial airway holders
    • Benchtop centrifuges
    • Binocular light compound microscopes
    • Blood collection needles
    • Blood collection syringes
    • Blood gas analyzers
    • Blood pressure recording units
    • Cages or its accessories
    • Cardiac output CO monitoring units
    • Cardiac pacemaker generators or cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers CRT-P
    • Chemical or gas sterilizers
    • Chemistry analyzers
    • Coagulation analyzers
    • Dental finishing or polishing discs
    • Dental handpieces
    • Dental probes or explorers
    • Dental scalers
    • Dental x ray units
    • Desktop computers
    • Digital cameras
    • Electrocardiography EKG transmitters or telemetry devices
    • Electrocardiography EKG units
    • Electrosurgical or electrocautery equipment
    • Endotracheal tubes
    • Enema kits
    • Enteral feeding administration sets
    • Esophageal tubes
    • Extremity restraints
    • Finger ring removers or cutters
    • Flow sensors or regulators or components
    • Forced air or mechanical convection general purpose incubators
    • Full body immersion hydrotherapy baths or tanks
    • Gas anesthesia apparatus or machines
    • Glucose monitors or meters
    • Handheld refractometers or polarimeters
    • Harnesses or its accessories
    • Hemocytometers
    • Hypodermic injection apparatus
    • Hypodermic needle
    • Intermittent positive pressure breathing IPPB machines
    • Intravenous catheters
    • Intravenous infusion pumps for general use
    • Intravenous or arterial arm boards
    • Intravenous or arterial tubing adapter or connector
    • Intravenous tubing with catheter administration kits
    • Intubation forceps
    • Intubation gauges or guides
    • Intubation laryngoscopes
    • Intubation stylets
    • Laboratory balances
    • Laboratory diluters
    • Manual or electronic hematology differential cell counters
    • Medical acoustic stethoscopes
    • Medical aspiration or irrigation syringes
    • Medical computed tomography CT or CAT scanners or tubes
    • Medical gas cylinders or related devices
    • Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI scanners
    • Medical nasal cannulas
    • Medical oxygen masks or parts
    • Medical radiation films or badges
    • Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological use
    • Medical radiological shielding aprons or masks or drapes
    • Medical radiological shielding gloves
    • Medical syringes with needle
    • Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echocardiograph or echocardiograph units for general diagnostic use
    • Medical x ray darkroom accessories
    • Medical x ray films or cassettes
    • Medical x ray intensifying screens
    • Medical x ray units for general diagnostic use
    • Microcentrifuges
    • Microscope slides
    • Mobile medical service anti shock garments
    • Mobile medical service intravenous IV kits
    • Mobile medical services automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles
    • Mobile medical services head immobilizers
    • Mobile medical services litter
    • Mobile medical services non-suction antichoke devices
    • Mobile medical services obstetrics kits
    • Mobile medical services suction antichoke devices
    • Mobile medical services triage tags
    • Mobile or transportable medical linear accelerators
    • Mobile resuscitator or aspirator kits
    • Muzzles
    • Nasopharyngeal tubes or airways
    • Nebulizers
    • Needleless intravenous injection syringe sets or injection cannulas
    • Needleless vial or bag withdrawal cannulas or adapters or decanters
    • Non vacuum blood collection tubes or containers
    • Notebook computers
    • Ophthalmic tonometers
    • Ophthalmoscopes or otoscopes or scope sets
    • Orthopedic splint systems
    • Osmometers
    • Oxygen insufflators
    • Oxygen therapy delivery system products
    • Patient stretchers
    • Periodontal curettes
    • Personal computers
    • Protective gloves
    • Pulse oximeter units
    • Respiratory monitoring kits
    • Restraints
    • Resuscitation masks
    • Sledge hammer
    • Specimen collection container
    • Steam autoclaves or sterilizers
    • Surgical calipers or rulers or protractors
    • Surgical isolation or surgical masks
    • Surgical retractors
    • Surgical scalpels or knives or blades or trephines
    • Suture needles
    • Suture removers
    • Tablet computers
    • Therapeutic heating or cooling units or systems
    • Tourniquets
    • Ultrasonic cleaning equipment
    • Urinary catheterization kits
    • Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers
    • Veterinary blood pressure testers
    • Veterinary castration instruments
    • Veterinary clinical thermometers
    • Veterinary electrocardiograph ECG
    • Veterinary injection or suction unit
    • Veterinary nail trimmers or cutters
    • Veterinary speculums
    • Winged infusion needle set

    Technology

    • Data base user interface and query software
    • Electronic mail software
    • Internet browser software
    • Medical software
    • Office suite software
    • Presentation software
    • Spreadsheet software
    • Word processing software

    Tags

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