Description
Provide clinical and laboratory support for diagnosing and treating animal patients. Collect and prepare samples, perform in-house tests (e.g., urinalysis, CBCs), and administer medications and vaccines as prescribed. Maintain and sterilize instruments and equipment, prepare patients and rooms for procedures, take diagnostic radiographs, and keep accurate records. Assist veterinarians during exams and surgery, including anesthesia monitoring and post-operative care.
- • Administer and monitor anesthesia under veterinary direction, adjusting dosages as directed.
- • Monitor and care for animals recovering from surgery.
- • Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
- • Perform in-house laboratory tests on blood, urine, feces, or cytology samples.
- • Clean kennels, wards, surgical suites, and exam rooms to control disease spread.
- • Provide client education on health care, behavior, medications, and nutrition.
- • Clean and dress wounds; apply bandages or splints as directed.
- • Perform reception, billing, record entry, and product sales as needed.
- • Bathe animals, trim nails or claws, and brush or clip hair.
- • Assist with microchipping, tattooing, or hoof trimming as directed.
- • Maintain controlled substance inventory and required log books.
- • Train and mentor veterinary assistants, externs, or students.
- • Monitor medical supply levels and place orders when inventory is low.
- • Safely restrain animals during exams, imaging, and procedures.
- • Discuss diagnoses, treatment plans, and post-operative care with clients under veterinary guidance.
- • Schedule appointments, procedures, and follow-up visits.
- • Provide emergency first aid and CPR until a veterinarian takes over.
- • Collect, prepare, and label specimens for laboratory testing or microscopy.
- • Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, and materials.
- • Set up and pass the correct instruments and supplies to veterinarians.
- • Fill prescriptions, measure medications, and label containers per orders.
- • Prepare patients for surgery, including shaving and aseptic skin preparation.
- • Obtain temperature, pulse, and respiration data and assist with physical examinations.
- • Observe and document behavior, pain scores, and clinical signs.
- • Acquire diagnostic radiographs and ensure proper positioning and radiation safety.
- • Maintain medical records and inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, and supplies.
- • Place IV catheters and administer IV fluids; perform enteral feeding or gavage as directed.
- • Prepare treatment and surgery rooms and ensure aseptic conditions.
- • Maintain and troubleshoot instruments, equipment, and machinery.
- • Perform dental prophylaxis, including scaling and polishing, under supervision.
- • Assist with humane euthanasia procedures and the handling of remains.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
