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Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 28 tasks, including 26 marked Core and 2 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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28 tasks shown

Core · Task 4312 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.

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Core · Task 4306 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.

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Core · Task 4314 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Fill medication prescriptions.

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Core · Task 4311 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.

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Core · Task 4316 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.

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Core · Task 4313 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.

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Core · Task 4317 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.

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Core · Task 4309 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.

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Core · Task 4315 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.

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Core · Task 4327 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.

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Core · Task 4308 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.

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Core · Task 4322 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.

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Core · Task 4310 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.

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Core · Task 4318 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.

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Core · Task 4323 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.

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Core · Task 4325 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.

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Core · Task 4320 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.

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Core · Task 4326 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.

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Core · Task 4329 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.

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Core · Task 4324 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.

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Core · Task 4319 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.

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Core · Task 4330 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.

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Core · Task 4321 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.

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Core · Task 21195 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.

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Core · Task 4332 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Sell pet food or supplies to customers.

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Core · Task 4328 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.

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Supplemental · Task 4307 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.

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Supplemental · Task 4333 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.

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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.
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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.