Veterinary Technologist
What the work is
Performs diagnostic procedures used in the medical care of animals, and monitors their health and wellbeing to support the work of veterinary, medical and other scientists.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Triages sick or injured animals in a variety of environments such as veterinary clinics, farms or zoos
- Administers anaesthesia to animals in preparation for surgery, and monitors them throughout the procedure
- Obtains and tests animal blood, urine and faecal samples
- Performs animal tests including X-rays, laparoscopes, endoscopes, CT scans and dental procedures
- Provides post-operative care instructions to animal carers
- Monitors animals and records their behaviour and vital signs to ensure complete records of their care
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a mixed-practice veterinary clinic in a fictional country town, with small animals in town and farm visits. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A sick animal you worried about is wagging its tail by the end of the week
- A farmer rings to say your advice improved the whole herd's health
- A nervous puppy visit that ends with a happy owner and a very happy puppy
Hard days
- An owner cannot afford the best treatment, and you must find a sensible option
- A long call-out on a cold night, miles from the clinic
- A conversation about an animal that cannot be saved, with a family that loves it
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 269532, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.