VETERINARY ASSISTANTS: 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.

• Administer animal immunology
• Administer injections
• Administer medications/treatments
• Apply advanced technical math (trig, calculus, statistics etc.)
• Apply animal psychology
• Apply infectious materials procedures
• Apply nutritional practices
• Apply sanitation practices to health care
• Collect specimens
• Draw blood
• Groom animals
• Identify livestock characteristics
• Keep records & maintain files
• Make appointments
• Operate specialized equipment in agriculture, forestry or fishing activities
• Operate x-ray machines
• Provide customer service
• Recognize animal diseases
• Recognize disease/parasites in animals
• Understand & use medical terminology
• Understand animal habits/needs
• Use computer
• Use laboratory/surgical procedures on animals