Veterinary Assistants Description OES Code: 79806 Examine animals for veterinarian; prepare animals for surgery; perform post-operational medical treatment as needed; and give medications to animals. Usually works directly under veterinarian. Receive extensive training on the job and may also have some postsecondary education such as trade school or junior college. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $6.00 minimum – $8.63 New, experienced: $7.50 minimum – $11.51 3 yrs+ experience: $9.50 $6.00 – $14.00 Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Many animal care facilities operate on a 24-hour schedule. Therefore, technicians must work on rotating or split shifts, weekends, and holidays. Most employees are full time and average 38 hours per week. Many employees are part time and average 19 hours per week. Most employers provide medical insurance, sick leave and vacation. Employment Trends Employment 1996 4,540 Projected Employment 2006 5,790 Growth Rate 1996-2006 27.5% Openings due to Separations 1,340 Employment Trends by California County The widespread popularity of pets should spur job growth. In addition, as public health organizations, research institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers and universities expand their research activities, more openings will be available. Advancement Trainee technicians can expect a change in pay and status with additional education and experience. Registered technicians can advance to supervisory positions at larger private establishments and in civil service. Technicians in research laboratories may become research scientist assistants. Getting the Job & Other Information Jobseekers should apply directly to research centers, veterinarians, animal hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical schools. Government positions are filled through success in written and oral examinations given by the city and county personnel divisions or the California State Personnel Board. College careers centers get information about job openings directly from employers. Some companies send recruitment officers to campuses who hire students for both part time and permanent jobs. Jobseekers may also want ot inquire with the following agencies for more information: Veterinary Medical Board, Registered Veterinary Technician Committee 1420 Howe Avenue, Suite 6 Sacramento, CA 95825 3228 (916) 263-2613 California Veterinary Medical Association 5231 Madison Ave. Sacramento, CA 95841 (916) 344-4985 Southern California Veterinary Medical Association 8338 S. Rosemead Blvd. Pico Rivera, CA 90660 (310) 948-4979 American Veterinary Medical Association 1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100 Schaumburg, IL 60173-4360 (847) 925-8070 Fax (708) 330-2862 www.avma.org For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Animal Health Technicians #402 Related Occupation: Dental Assistants #27, Veterinarians & Veterinary Inspectors #282, Medical Assistants #513 Training: California State Training Inventory Note: With the exception of definition, wage, hours and benefit, and employment trend data, the majority of the textual information is based on Veterinary Technician (OES 798060), a related occupation. © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training The Veterinary Medical Board currently classifies registered technicians as Registered Veterinary Technicians. Although registration is not mandatory to work in California, it can improve job opportunities and career development. Additionally, only registered technicians are allowed to perform procedures such as induce anesthesia, suture wounds and do certain other procedures. There are several routes by which an applicant may be eligible to qualify for the Veterinary Technician registration exam. Graduation from an approved school is the primary route. A certificate program that usually takes a year to complete is offered by some private schools and community colleges. A two-year degree program is also available in many community colleges. Training programs include both academic and clinical instruction. A list of accredited schools throughout the State with programs in animal health technology is available from the Registered Veterinary Technician Committee. Applicants with a BS degree in veterinary science, or in a closely related field must also complete a minimum of 12 months of practical experience under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Another eligibility category allows applicants to qualify for registration through practical on-the-job training (OJT) combined with specific classroom training. The practical OJT consists of thirty six months working under the direct supervision of a State-licensed veterinarian. Coursework consists of twenty semester (thirty quarter) units or 300 hours of instruction. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and show proof of training to be admitted to the registration exam. The exam is scheduled twice a year and requires an application and certificate fee. The certificate of registration must be renewed annually. Skills & Other Requirements Personal characteristics necessary for success in the job include a keen interest in animals, the ability to communicate well, and aptitudes to learn and independently apply techniques and methods of examination and treatment of animals. Technicians assist veterinarians, biological workers, and other scientists by performing more routine tasks, freeing them for specialized, complex tasks. They also work in companies that produce drugs and feeds, animal production facilities, zoos, meat packing companies, animal shelters, animal control facilities, and spaying and neutering clinics. Veterinary Technicians who assist veterinarians perform duties in the medical, surgical, and therapeutic treatment of animals. Under the direction of veterinarians, they assist with physical examinations that help determine the nature of the illness or injury. They administer medications, immunizations, anesthesia and blood plasma to the animals as prescribed by the veterinarian. Technicians take and record temperature, pulse and respiration. They collect and label specimens for culture or microscopic examination. They dress and suture wounds, apply splints and other protective devices, and clean and extract teeth. They also give enemas and perform catheterization, earflushes, intravenous feedings, and gavage (the introduction of food into the stomach by means of a tube). On some jobs, Veterinary Technicians operate electro-cardiographic and radiographic equipment and also expose and develop diagnostic radiographs. In surgery, they assist veterinarians by providing correct equipment and instruments and by assuring that monitoring and support equipment such as anesthetic machines, cardiac monitors, scopes and breathing apparatus are in good working condition. Technicians must also maintain treatment records and inventory of all pharmaceuticals, equipment and supplies. They may give emergency resuscitation or do other life saving procedures. In laboratories, they work under the direction of veterinarians, scientists, or senior technologists either in the handling of animals for experimental biological research or in the development and testing of new drugs and medical devices. Observation of the behavior and condition of the animals being studied is an important part of the job. They also assist in terminating unwanted cats, dogs, and other animals who are in city and county animal control facilities.