---
name: veterinary-technician
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'veterinary technician' (also: veterinary assistant, veterinary auxiliary, veterinary practice technician, vet technician, vet's technician, vet practice technician). Use when the user asks for typical veterinary technician work such as: Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.; Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.; Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low."
---

# Veterinary Technician

Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.

## Core workflow

1. Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
2. Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.
3. Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.
4. Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
5. Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.
6. Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.
7. Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
8. Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.

## How to use this skill

- Read [references/profile.md](references/profile.md) for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult [references/tasks.md](references/tasks.md) for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check [references/skills.md](references/skills.md) for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check [references/tools.md](references/tools.md) for the software commonly used in this role.
- See [references/ai-skills.md](references/ai-skills.md) — matched external AI agent skills (per-source attribution).

## Key competences (essential)

- anatomy of animals
- animal behaviour
- animal welfare
- animal welfare legislation
- apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
- assist in administering veterinary anaesthetics
- assist in general veterinary medical procedures
- assist in the administration of fluids to animals
- assist the veterinary surgeon as a scrub nurse
- biosecurity related to animals
- control animal movement
- deal with challenging people
- environmental enrichment for animals
- handle veterinary emergencies
- maintain work environments in a veterinary practice

## Hot technologies

- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word

---
*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/99ebf2c2-1811-4c77-b2e6-7008cba29ea0), O*NET 30.3 (29-2056.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*