Description
Assist veterinarians by providing clinical care to companion and other non-food animals. Perform technical nursing duties such as patient intake and monitoring, sample collection and testing, administering medications and vaccines, anesthesia support, radiography, and assisting with procedures and wound care. Maintain accurate medical records; educate clients; and clean, disinfect, and maintain treatment areas, equipment, and animal housing. Work in veterinary clinics, hospitals, shelters, zoos, aquariums, and research facilities.
- • Obtain patient history, vitals, and weight; update medical records.
- • Safely restrain animals for exams, procedures, and treatments.
- • Collect blood, urine, feces, and cytology samples; label and process.
- • Run in-house lab tests; prepare specimens for reference labs.
- • Administer medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed.
- • Place IV catheters; administer and monitor fluid therapy.
- • Induce, intubate, and monitor anesthesia under veterinary supervision.
- • Prepare patients, instruments, and equipment for surgery and procedures.
- • Assist during surgeries, dental prophylaxis, and wound care.
- • Clean, sterilize, and maintain surgical and medical equipment.
- • Monitor hospitalized patients; document status, intake, and outputs.
- • Educate clients on treatment plans, medications, and home care.
- • Dispense prescriptions; maintain pharmacy inventory and logs.
- • Take and position radiographs; assist with other imaging.
- • Mix specialized diets, formulas, and medication doses as directed.
- • Maintain sanitary treatment areas, kennels, and cages; perform laundry.
- • Manage inventory; order, receive, and stock supplies and vaccines.
- • Triage calls and schedule appointments; obtain estimates and consents.
- • Assist with humane euthanasia and aftercare per protocols.
- • Follow biosecurity and safety standards; adjust environmental controls as needed.
- • Transfer or transport animals between wards and isolation to prevent cross-contamination.
- • Implant microchips and collect identification data.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
