Explore unit group
- Version:
- NOC 2006 Version 1.0
3213 – Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians
Veterinary and animal health technologists and technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and government.
Profile
Index of titles Example job titles
- Animal care technician
- Animal care technologist
- Animal health technician
- Animal health technologist
- Animal operating room attendant
- Attendant, animal operating room
- Laboratory animal technician
- Laboratory animal technologist
- Laboratory technician, veterinary
- Registered veterinary technician
- Registered veterinary technician (RVT)
- Technician, animal care
- Technician, animal health
- Technician, laboratory animals
- Technician, veterinary
- Technician, veterinary laboratory
- Technologist, animal care
- Technologist, animal health
- Technologist, veterinary
- Veterinarian assistant
- Veterinary laboratory technician
- Veterinary technician
- Veterinary technologist
- Animal health technologist
- Laboratory animal technician
- Veterinarian assistant
- Veterinary technician
- Veterinary technologist
Main duties
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Veterinary and animal health technologists and technicians perform 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 samples and perform other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems
- Assist veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery, and by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anaesthetics and cleaning up after surgery
- Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of veterinarian
- Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian
- Provide wound and bandage care
- Conduct specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming
- Counsel clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care
- Conduct and 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.
Employment requirements
- Completion of a two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required.
- Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings.
- Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians'/technologists' associations is available and is mandatory in some provinces.
Additional information
- With experience, veterinary and animal health technologists and technicians may progress to supervisory positions.
Exclusions
- Pet Groomers and Animal Care Workers (6483)
Breakdown summary
- Broad occupational category
- 3 – Health Occupations
- Skill level
- B – Occupations usually require college education or apprenticeship training.
- Major group
- 32 – Technical and Skilled Occupations in Health
- Minor group
- 321 – Medical Technologists and Technicians (Except Dental Health)
- Version
- NOC 2006 Version 1.0