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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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32104.00 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Animal health technician
  • Animal health technologist
  • Laboratory animal technician
  • Registered veterinary technician (RVT)
  • Veterinarian assistant
  • Veterinary technician
  • Veterinary technologist

Core competencies

  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to analyze samples and perform select laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis of animal health problems and development of treatment plans with veterinarians
  • Monitoring to observe animal behaviour and symptoms to determine stress levels and physical condition during procedures
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness to administer medications, treatments and vaccines as prescribed by veterinarians
  • Finger Dexterity to manipulate delicate instruments and assemble small devices during diagnostic tests, treatments and surgical assistance
  • Attention to Detail to accurately collect and compile information from tests to assist in the diagnosis of animal health problems
  • Knowledge in Veterinarian and Animal Care to understand animal laboratory tests, common animal illnesses and procedures, animal care practices and sanitization requirements to conduct a limited set of common procedures or support veterinarians in the care of animals

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals
  • Handle, restrain and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery
  • Produce radiographs, collect and analyse samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
  • Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
  • Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of a veterinarian
  • Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
  • Provide wound and bandage care
  • Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
  • Educate and advise clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care
  • Assist in laboratory research
  • Perform routine animal dental procedures and assist veterinarians with animal dentistry
  • May perform a variety of office management and clerical duties.

Additional information

  • With experience, animal health technologists and veterinary technicians may progress to supervisory positions.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Pet groomers and animal care workers (65220)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

32 – Technical occupations in health

Sub-major group

321 – Technical occupations in health (except practitioners of natural healing)

Minor group

3210 – Technical occupations in therapy and assessment

Unit group

32104 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

Occupational profile

32104.00 – Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.