Veterinary Technician Health Associate Professionals
SaveWhat Does a Veterinary Technician Do?
Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.
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Where Do I Start?
Animal Welfare
Universally 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 behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Veterinary Technician
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialAnimal Welfare knowledge
Universally 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 …
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EssentialAnimal Welfare Legislation knowledge
The 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.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialEnvironmental Enrichment For Animals knowledge
Types, 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, social and training …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialSafe Work Practices In A Veterinary Setting knowledge
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, chemicals, …
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialSigns Of Animal Illness knowledge
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialBiosecurity Related To Animals knowledge
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
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EssentialAnatomy Of Animals knowledge
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Behaviour knowledge
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPhysiology Of Animals knowledge
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialApply Safe Work Practices In A Veterinary Setting skill
Apply 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, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialControl Animal Movement skill
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDeal With Challenging People skill
Work 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 to address …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Veterinary Emergencies skill
Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Animal Biosecurity skill
Plan 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 with animals, including recognising …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Infection Control In The Facility skill
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Personal Professional Development skill
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor The Welfare Of Animals skill
Monitor 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 food and water …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide First Aid To Animals skill
Administer 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 prior to first-aid …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In Administering Veterinary Anaesthetics skill
Assist the veterinary surgeon in administering anaesthetics to animals including the maintenance and monitoring of anaesthesia during veterinary procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In General Veterinary Medical Procedures skill
Assist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In The Administration Of Fluids To Animals skill
Prepare the equipment for administering fluids to animals, observe the animal during the treatment, and keep fluid balance records.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist In Veterinary Surgery skill
Assist the veterinary surgeon during surgical procedures by carrying out the duties of a general theatre assistant.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssist The Veterinary Surgeon As A Scrub Nurse skill
Provide assistance in the handling of equipment and materials in a sterile manner during surgical procedures in operating theatre.'
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Work Environments In A Veterinary Practice skill
Prepare and maintain work environments for use, including equipment and materials, ensuring that equipment and materials are available.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor Condition Of Hospitalised Animals skill
Monitor hospitalised animals and make appropriate adjustments in areas such as nutrition, hygiene, and pain management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Animals For Anaesthesia skill
Prepare animals for anaesthesia, including performing pre-anaesthetic checks and procedures and reporting findings.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Animals For Veterinary Surgery skill
Prepare animals for minor and major surgical procedures and carry out the correct positioning and use of aseptic skin preparation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Environment For Veterinary Surgery skill
Prepare the surgical environment, including preparation rooms, operating theatres, equipment and materials. prior to surgery.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrepare Veterinary Anaesthetic Equipment skill
Prepare the equipment and materials required for animal anaesthesia.'
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupport Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Procedures skill
Prepare the equipment and animal for diagnostic imaging. Conduct or support diagnostic imaging procedures. Provide care for the animal undergoing diagnostic imaging.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupport Veterinary Diagnostic Procedures skill
Prepare 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 undergoing examination.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 25 displayed)
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OptionalVeterinary Terminology knowledge
Spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.
Recommended Books
1 book -
OptionalAnimal Production Science knowledge
Animal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalAssess Animal Behaviour skill
Observe 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCalculate Rates Per Hours skill
Make simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollaborate With Animal Related Professionals skill
Collaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCommunicate By Telephone skill
Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCope With Challenging Circumstances In The Veterinary Sector skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Given Instructions skill
Follow instructions to achieve goals and meet deadlines.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Work Procedures skill
Adhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Written Instructions skill
Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterview Animal Owners On Animals' Conditions skill
Ask 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Professional Records skill
Produce and maintain records of work performed.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Veterinary Clinical Records skill
Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMake Decisions Regarding The Animal's Welfare skill
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProcess Payments skill
Accept 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 …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTake Advantage Of Learning Opportunities In Veterinary Science skill
Use 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.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTreat Animals Ethically skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUnderstand The Animal's Situation skill
Categorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Administrative Records In The Veterinary Office skill
Create and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Stocks Of Veterinary Materials skill
Maintain stocks of veterinary materials to ensure there is an adequate supply. Ensure appropriate storage, rotation and record keeping for veterinary materials.'
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Veterinary Practice Waiting Area skill
Manage the waiting area in a veterinary practice and ensure that both the clients' and the animals' needs are monitored and prioritised.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Schedule skill
Develop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPractise Veterinary Professional Codes Of Conduct skill
Adhere to veterinary professional codes of practice and legislation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Support To Veterinary Clients skill
Assist 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. Provide …
Course recommendations coming soon.