National Occupation Code (NOC): 3213

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.

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Job Duties for Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

• 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.

Working Conditions for Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians

Work is performed in verterinary clinics or on out-call. Risk of injury is present when interacting with animals undergoing treatment, which may require high physical stamina.

Alternate Job Titles

• (RAHT) Registered Animal Health Technologist
• Animal Care Technician
• Animal Care Technologist
• Animal Health Technician
• Animal Health Technician - Agriculture
• Animal Health Technologist
• Animal Health Technologist Supervisor
• Animal Operating Room Attendant
• Laboratory Animal Technician
• Laboratory Animal Technologist
• Registered Animal Health Technologist
• Registered Animal Health Technologist (RAHT)
• Registered Veterinary Technician
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
• Veterinarian Assistant
• Veterinary Laboratory Technician
• Veterinary Technician
• Veterinary Technician Supervisor
• Veterinary Technologist
• Veterinary Assistant/receptionist
• Registered Veterinary Technician
• Veterinary Technician
• Veterinary Assistant
• Registered Veterinary Technician
• Technician, Veterinary
• Vet Tech/assistant/co-op Student
• Summer Student Vet Assistant
• Vet Assistant
• Part Time/full Time Rvt
• Clinical Trials And Research Technician- Veterinary Medical Innovation Program
• Research Animal Technician - Isolation Unit And Production Animal Isolation Facility
• Specific Rvt Needed
• Technician (animal Care)
• Technician, Animal Care
• Veterinary Tech/Assistant
• Zookeeper