Jobs / Healthcare / 31-9096.00
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
Feed, water, and examine pets and other nonfarm animals for signs of illness, disease, or injury in laboratories and animal hospitals and clinics. Clean and disinfect cages and work areas, and sterilize laboratory and surgical equipment. May provide routine postoperative care, administer medication orally or topically, or prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal technologists or technicians, veterinarians, or scientists.
- US jobs
- 126,580
- Median wage
- $38,150 a year
- Job family
- Healthcare
Can agents do the work of veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Healthcare: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: MedAgentBench, 69.7% of tasks completed.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 15%Assist individuals with special needsNot measured
- 13%Assist healthcare practitioners during medical proceduresNot measured
- 12%Administer basic health care or medical treatmentsNot measured
- 6%Monitor health conditions of humans or animalsNot measured
- 5%Clean tools, equipment, facilities, or work areasNot measured
- 4%Administer diagnostic tests to assess patient healthNot measured
- 4%Collect environmental or biological samplesNot measured
- 4%Prescribe medical treatments or devicesNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in healthcare, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
- Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
- Fill medication prescriptions.
- Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
- Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
- Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
- Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
- Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
- Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
- Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.
- Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
- Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
Other job titles for this occupation (20)
Animal Care Provider · Animal Caregiver · Avian Keeper · Certified Veterinary Assistant · Emergency Veterinary Assistant · Inpatient Technician Assistant · Kennel Vet Assistant (Kennel Veterinary Assistant) · Research Animal Attendant · Small Animal Caretaker · Veterinarian Assistant (Vet Assistant) · Animal Care Service Worker · Animal Care Specialist · Animal Caretaker · Animal Health Technician · Laboratory Animal Caretaker · Laboratory Animal Technician · Veterinarian Helper (Vet Helper) · Veterinary Attendant · Veterinary Kennel Assistant (Vet Kennel Assistant) · Veterinary Receptionist (Vet Receptionist)