HealthcareISCO 3240
Veterinary technician
Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.
Check yourself in a minute: veterinary technician
Rate 5 of the 29 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
control animal movement
assist in general veterinary medical procedures
assist in administering veterinary anaesthetics
manage animal biosecurity
prepare environment for veterinary surgery
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (29)
biosecurity related to animalsbiosecurity related to animalsAwareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...physiology of animalsphysiology of animalsThe study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.environmental enrichment for animalsenvironmental enrichment for animalsTypes, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, so...safe work practices in a veterinary settingsafe work practices in a veterinary settingSafe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, ...anatomy of animalsanatomy of animalsThe study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.animal behaviouranimal behaviourThe natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.assist in general veterinary medical proceduresassist in general veterinary medical proceduresAssist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.assist in administering veterinary anaestheticsassist in administering veterinary anaestheticsAssist the veterinary surgeon in administering anaesthetics to animals including the maintenance and monitoring of anaesthesia during veterinary procedures.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...prepare environment for veterinary surgeryprepare environment for veterinary surgeryPrepare the surgical environment, including preparation rooms, operating theatres, equipment and materials. prior to surgery.provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...prepare veterinary anaesthetic equipmentprepare veterinary anaesthetic equipmentPrepare and turn on all equipment required for animal anaesthesia, such as the anaesthesia machine, breathing circuit, endotracheal tube, intubation tools and anaesthetic monitors. Ensure they functio...support veterinary diagnostic proceduressupport veterinary diagnostic proceduresPrepare equipment and animals for veterinary diagnostic tests. Conduct or support sample collection. Preserve samples from animals for analysis and communicate the results. Provide care for the animal...monitor condition of hospitalised animalsmonitor condition of hospitalised animalsMonitor hospitalised animals and make appropriate adjustments in areas such as nutrition, hygiene, and pain management.apply safe work practices in a veterinary settingapply safe work practices in a veterinary settingApply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemi...support veterinary diagnostic imaging proceduressupport veterinary diagnostic imaging proceduresPrepare the equipment and animal for diagnostic imaging. Conduct or support diagnostic imaging procedures. Provide care for the animal undergoing diagnostic imaging.'.manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...prepare animals for anaesthesiaprepare animals for anaesthesiaPrepare animals for anaesthesia, including performing pre-anaesthetic checks and procedures and reporting findings.'.handle veterinary emergencieshandle veterinary emergenciesHandle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.manage infection control in the facilitymanage infection control in the facilityImplement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...maintain work environments in a veterinary practicemaintain work environments in a veterinary practicePrepare and maintain work environments for use, including equipment and materials, ensuring that equipment and materials are available.prepare animals for veterinary surgeryprepare animals for veterinary surgeryPrepare animals for minor and major surgical procedures and carry out the correct positioning and use of aseptic skin preparation.'.assist in the administration of fluids to animalsassist in the administration of fluids to animalsPrepare the equipment for administering fluids to animals, observe the animal during the treatment, and keep fluid balance records.deal with challenging peopledeal with challenging peopleWork safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how...
Optional (25) — show
veterinary terminologyveterinary terminologySpelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.animal production scienceanimal production scienceAnimal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary sciencetake advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary scienceUse different channels and learning styles such as journals, courses, and conferences to obtain new information, knowledge, skills, and know-how in relation to working with animals.treat animals ethicallytreat animals ethicallyCarry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.understand the animal's situationunderstand the animal's situationCategorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.collaborate with animal related professionalscollaborate with animal related professionalsCollaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorcope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sectorMaintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'.follow work schedulefollow work scheduleManage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.maintain veterinary clinical recordsmaintain veterinary clinical recordsCreate and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.calculate rates per hourscalculate rates per hoursMake simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.practise veterinary professional codes of conductpractise veterinary professional codes of conductAdhere to veterinary professional codes of practice and legislation.provide support to veterinary clientsprovide support to veterinary clientsAssist clients seeking veterinary treatment and during the provision of veterinary services. Aid clients with the care of their animals by demonstrating care techniques and use of veterinary products....follow written instructionsfollow written instructionsFollow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.make decisions regarding the animal's welfaremake decisions regarding the animal's welfareMake a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.maintain professional recordsmaintain professional recordsProduce and maintain records of work performed.interview animal owners on animals' conditionsinterview animal owners on animals' conditionsAsk questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.follow work proceduresfollow work proceduresAdhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.process paymentsprocess paymentsAccept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attent...plan scheduleplan scheduleDevelop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'.communicate by telephonecommunicate by telephoneLiaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.execute working instructionsexecute working instructionsUnderstand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.maintain stocks of veterinary materialsmaintain stocks of veterinary materialsMaintain stocks of veterinary materials to ensure there is an adequate supply. Ensure appropriate storage, rotation and record keeping for veterinary materials.maintain administrative records in the veterinary officemaintain administrative records in the veterinary officeCreate and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'.manage veterinary practice waiting areamanage veterinary practice waiting areaManage the waiting area in a veterinary practice and ensure that both the clients' and the animals' needs are monitored and prioritised.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
veterinary nurse25 shared essential skillsanimal behaviourist16 shared essential skillsalternative animal therapist15 shared essential skillsanimal care attendant15 shared essential skillsanimal handler15 shared essential skillsanimal trainer15 shared essential skillsgeneral veterinarian15 shared essential skillsanimal chiropractor14 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a veterinary technician do?
Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.
What skills does a veterinary technician need?
A veterinary technician needs 29 essential skills, including biosecurity related to animals, signs of animal illness, animal welfare legislation, animal welfare, physiology of animals.
Will AI replace veterinary technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for veterinary technician is 25/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: calculate rates per hours, follow written instructions, follow work schedule. Most resilient: control animal movement, apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting, treat animals ethically.
AI Replacement Risk
25/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
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