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29-2056.00 · Task explorer

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Perform medical tests in a laboratory environment for use in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases in animals. Prepare vaccines and serums for prevention of diseases. Prepare tissue samples, take blood samples, and execute laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood counts. Clean and sterilize instruments and materials and maintain equipment and machines. May assist a veterinarian during surgery.

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This source lists 31 tasks, including 30 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2020.

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31 tasks shown

Core · Task 4176 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.

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Core · Task 4177 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.

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Core · Task 18548 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.

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Core · Task 4179 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.

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Core · Task 4178 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.

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Core · Task 20422 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Restrain animals during exams or procedures.

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Core · Task 4180 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.

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Core · Task 4182 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.

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Core · Task 4183 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.

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Core · Task 4193 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.

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Core · Task 4187 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.

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Core · Task 4190 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.

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Core · Task 4184 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.

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Core · Task 4181 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.

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Core · Task 4185 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.

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Core · Task 4188 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.

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Core · Task 20423 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.

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Core · Task 4194 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.

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Core · Task 4186 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.

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Core · Task 4191 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.

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Core · Task 4189 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.

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Core · Task 4192 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.

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Core · Task 4197 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.

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Core · Task 4196 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.

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Core · Task 20424 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.

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Core · Task 4195 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.

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Core · Task 18550 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.

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Core · Task 18549 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.

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Core · Task 4198 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.

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Core · Task 4199 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.

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Supplemental · Task 4200 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.