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Animal Technician |
Career OverviewAn animal technician is often referred to as an animal care technician. As the name implies they are used in laboratory, veterinary and other facilities to care for research animals, pets or animals brought into or housed within the facility.
The animals can be research animals such as rats, mice, rabbits or even primates or cats and dogs. Veterinary-based animal technicians are more likely to deal with domestic animals such as dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, reptiles and possibly even some primates.
Animal technicians are responsible for the intake of the animals, caging, monitoring, feeding and caring for the animals either in a laboratory setting, zoo, research facility or vet clinic. The animal assistant is required to have a good working knowledge of how to handle various animals as well as basic animal husbandry, care and feeding of the various types and species of animals under their care.
The job involves working directly with the vet or under the vet’s supervision to draw blood, perform various medical analysis and tests as well. The animal technician may also be responsible for maintaining the cages, keeping the lab or clinic free from contaminants as well as monitoring any health concerns or possible risks for animals within the facility.
Quarantine and managing and following standard operating procedures with regards to various animals and health concerns is also under the jurisdiction of an animal health technician.
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Career RequirementsMost facilities require that an animal technician have a strong background in the sciences. Many employers require a Bachelors degree in a life science program that may include zoology, biology, animal science or a related field. Most veterinarians require a 4-year Veterinary Technologist degree for animal technicians. In addition there are three different levels of certification for animal technicians under the AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) and they are:
ALAT – Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician. This is the lowest level of certification.
LAT- The more advanced level is the Laboratory Animal Technician.
LATG – The most advanced level. Those with this level of certification are known as Laboratory Animal Technologists.
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Job OutlookThe United States Department of Labor predicts that career opportunities for animal technicians in veterinary practices, zoos and research facilities will continue to increase. Higher levels of training allow the animal technician to do additional work under the supervision of a trained professional such as a vet and can provide a great deal of assistance to the clinic or facility.
Animal technicians that are good communicators and are able to help pet owners understand the various medical treatments and procedures are always in high demand in vet practices both in urban and rural settings.
Part of the reason that vet clinics are becoming more involved in hiring animal technicians is because of the increased willingness for pet owners to engage in long term care and more advanced treatments of their pets. In these situations often the owners actually interact more with the animal technician than they do with the vet.
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Career TrackAnimal technicians with experience have more options to move within the various marketplaces of employment. Since most of the animal technicians are employed by veterinarian services and clinics the opportunity to move into a supervisory or management role is often somewhat limited, but there is still the possibility to become a shift supervisor or the kennel or recovery area manager.
Often larger clinics and research facilities have opportunities to advance to management positions that include overseeing the animal component of the facility as well as scheduling and training.
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CompensationAs experience and training levels increase so does the average salary. Most entry level animal technicians with little experience can expect to earn between $8.00 and $12.00 per hour, with some expectation of on-call, especially in a vet clinic or animal care facility. More experienced or well-trained animal technicians with LAT or LATG certification often earn between $14.00 and $17.00 per hour.
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Animal Technician Jobs |
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