Laboratory Technician/Technologist, Veterinary Technician
Interest in assisting veterinarians before, during and after surgery, and by preparing surgical equipment, administering and monitoring anesthetics and cleaning up after surgery; in conducting specialized procedures such as animal identification and hoof trimming, and in preparing medications and vaccines under the direction of veterinarians
Interest in operating laboratory equipment to produce X-rays radiographs, collect samples and perform other tests to assist in the diagnosis of animal health problems
Interest in compiling information from tests to assist in the diagnosis of animal health problems; and in conducting and assisting in laboratory research
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Animal health technologists provide a wide range of animal health services under the supervision of veterinarians. In general, they:
Animal health technologists also may:
Most animal health technologists are employed in veterinary clinics and hospitals, laboratories, research facilities and animal shelters. Some work on farms or in stockyards or feedlots. The work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Depending on the work situation, animal health technologists may be required to lift up to or over 20 kilograms.
Hours of work vary and may include evenings, weekends, nights, emergency on-call rotations or overtime to assist in emergencies.
Animal health technologists sometimes work around strong, unpleasant odours. Occupational hazards include contact with potentially dangerous animals and potential exposure to radiation, biohazardous substances and waste, anesthetics (gases) and diseases that may be transmissible to human beings.
Animal health technologists need the following characteristics:
They should enjoy having clear rules and guidelines for their work, and performing laboratory and diagnostic procedures.
Animal health technologists must have a minimum of a two year Animal Health Technology or Veterinary Technology diploma accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Before enrolling in any program, prospective students should check with the Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) to make sure the program is recognized across Canada.
To maintain licensure, registered animal health technologists must complete 10 hours of continuing education annually.
Animal health technologists provide primary support to veterinarians by caring for animals, and assisting in the care and treatment of companion and livestock animal health disorders.
Under Alberta's Veterinary Profession Act and General Regulation, you must be registered with the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) to work as an animal health technologist under the direction of a registered veterinarian.
Registration with the ABVMA requires: (1) membership in the Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists (AAAHT), (2) an Animal Health Technology diploma accredited by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), or equivalent, and (3) successful completion of a national exam administered by the ABVMA. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, contact the ABVMA or visit their website.
Animal health technologists who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if registered animal health technologists in the two jurisdictions have similar responsibilities and competencies. For more information, see "What if I am already certified in another province or territory?" and the Alberta regulatory authority (below).
To find more information on the certification process for internationally educated animal health technologists, see Animal Health Technologist Registration Process on the AlbertaCanada.com website.
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
950 Weber Centre, 5555 Calgary Trail N.W.
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6H 5P9
Phone number: 780-489-5007
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-404-2862
Fax number: 780-484-8311
Website: www.abvma.ca
Animal health technologists may be employed by:
Advancement generally takes the form of increasingly complex duties or management responsibilities.
Animal health technologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 3213: Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians. In Alberta, 84% of people employed in this classification work in the Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF) industry.
The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $13.00 | $26.51 | $18.48 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $15.00 | $27.50 | $21.31 | $21.50 |
| Top | $17.00 | $35.00 | $25.36 | $25.00 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AB.VMA) website: www.abvma.ca
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) websites: www.canadianveterinarians.net
Registered Veterinary Technologists and Technicians of Canada (RVTTC) website: beta.rvttcanada.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.
Updated Mar 14, 2014. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.