# Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers

> 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.

- Code: 31-9096.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 31-9096)
- Family: [Healthcare Support](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-31), one of its 20 occupations
- Tasks: 28 tasks (26 core and 2 supplemental)
- Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9096.00
- JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/31-9096.00.json

## What the work is made of

1. Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.  
   Core task · Task 4312 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
2. Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.  
   Core task · Task 4306 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
3. Fill medication prescriptions.  
   Core task · Task 4314 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
4. Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.  
   Core task · Task 4311 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
5. Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.  
   Core task · Task 4316 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
6. Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.  
   Core task · Task 4313 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
7. Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.  
   Core task · Task 4317 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
8. Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.  
   Core task · Task 4309 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
9. Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.  
   Core task · Task 4315 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
10. Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.  
   Core task · Task 4327 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
11. Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.  
   Core task · Task 4308 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
12. Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.  
   Core task · Task 4322 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
13. Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.  
   Core task · Task 4310 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
14. Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.  
   Core task · Task 4318 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
15. Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.  
   Core task · Task 4323 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
16. Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.  
   Core task · Task 4325 · Rated by 64 people who do the job, August 2020
17. Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.  
   Core task · Task 4320 · Rated by 64 people who do the job, August 2020
18. Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.  
   Core task · Task 4326 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
19. Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.  
   Core task · Task 4329 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
20. Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.  
   Core task · Task 4324 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
21. Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.  
   Core task · Task 4319 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
22. Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.  
   Core task · Task 4330 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
23. Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.  
   Core task · Task 4321 · Rated by 64 people who do the job, August 2020
24. Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.  
   Core task · Task 21195 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
25. Sell pet food or supplies to customers.  
   Core task · Task 4332 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
26. Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.  
   Core task · Task 4328 · Rated by 65 people who do the job, August 2020
27. Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.  
   Supplemental task · Task 4307 · Rated by 64 people who do the job, August 2020
28. Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.  
   Supplemental task · Task 4333 · Rated by 64 people who do the job, August 2020

## More in Healthcare Support

- [Dental Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9091.00): 16 tasks
- [Endoscopy Technicians](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9099.02): 12 tasks
- [Healthcare Support Workers, All Other](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9099.00): no tasks listed
- [Home Health Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1121.00): 15 tasks
- [Massage Therapists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9011.00): 14 tasks
- [Medical Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9092.00): 20 tasks
- [Medical Equipment Preparers](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9093.00): 15 tasks
- [Medical Transcriptionists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9094.00): 15 tasks
- [Nursing Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1131.00): 33 tasks
- [Occupational Therapy Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2012.00): 15 tasks
- [Occupational Therapy Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2011.00): 22 tasks
- [Orderlies](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1132.00): 22 tasks
- [Personal Care Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1122.00): 11 tasks
- [Pharmacy Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9095.00): 14 tasks
- [Phlebotomists](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9097.00): 23 tasks
- [Physical Therapist Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2022.00): 19 tasks
- [Physical Therapist Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-2021.00): 21 tasks
- [Psychiatric Aides](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-1133.00): 17 tasks
- [Speech-Language Pathology Assistants](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/31-9099.01): 11 tasks

## Where this comes from

Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. Nothing on this page is written by the Org.AI Foundation.