Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians – NOC : 3213

Unit Group

3213 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. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies and government. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Example Titles

animal health technician

animal health technologist

laboratory animal technician

registered veterinary technician (RVT)

veterinarian assistant

veterinary technician

veterinary technologist

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Main duties

Animal health technologists and veterinary 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 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.

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’ associations is available, and is mandatory in some provinces.

Additional information

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

Classified elsewhere

Pet groomers and animal care workers (6563)