What does a laboratory animal technician do?
A laboratory animal technician is responsible for conducting animal research studies by observing and analyzing animal nature and conditions. Laboratory animal technicians maintain the safety and cleanliness of animal cages, supply them food and water, and administer medications as needed. They also take samples for laboratory examinations, monitor the adequacy of inventories, and sterilize tools and equipment. A laboratory animal technician writes finding reports, logs information on the database, and coordinates with other animal experts for study validations.
Laboratory animal technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real laboratory animal technician resumes:
- Manage the crossing activities to meet the target number of F1 seed, including quality control and purity.
- Conduct daily internal audits/inspections to ensure lab are in compliance with IACUC, GLP and FDA regulations.
- Register animal lab technician and member of AALAS.
- Maintain lab records in accordance to USDA standards.
- Depend upon for movement of sows and gilts.
- Perform husbandry duties for all species house according to ALLAC and USDA standards.
- Supervise labor in Spanish, operate equipment for production, harvest, processing.
- Follow OSHA, FDA, animal welfare protocols for sterilization, care, feeding.
- Operate autoclaves to sterilize equipment or waste, following standard work procedures and safety protocols.
- Maintain lab equipment, including the cage washer, autoclaves and the cold storage areas.
- Collect various samples for investigators such as ear punch, tail snips, and fecal.
- Keep to strict code and guidelines as followed by IACUC and NIH procedures for care and compliance.
- Ensure a proper animal environment, including but not limit to ventilation, water, feed, and animal husbandry.
- Maintain cleanliness and organization of facilities.
- Conduct GLP toxicology studies for pharmaceutical companies.
Laboratory animal technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Laboratory Animal Technicians are proficient in Animal Handling, Animal Husbandry, and Research Animals. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Physical strength, and Compassion.
We break down the percentage of Laboratory Animal Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Animal Handling, 11%
Train new employees in animal handling and care procedures.
- Animal Husbandry, 10%
Worked in all areas of the facility including animal husbandry, equipment sterilization and compound preparation.
- Research Animals, 5%
Provided primary care of routine husbandry and sanitation for medical research and research animals.
- Cleanliness, 5%
Ensured cleanliness and sanitation of animal housing and ancillary areas.
- Technical Procedures, 5%
Executed technical procedures that include animal identification, weaning, breeding, and euthanasia.
- Animal Species, 4%
Provided anesthesia, surgical preparation and recovery for multiple animal species.
"animal handling," "animal husbandry," and "research animals" are among the most common skills that laboratory animal technicians use at work. You can find even more laboratory animal technician responsibilities below, including:
Manual dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a laboratory animal technician to have is manual dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "veterinary technologists and technicians must handle animals, medical instruments, and laboratory equipment with care." Laboratory animal technicians often use manual dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "positioned for and took radiographs developed radiographs manually placed and maintained iv catheters"
Physical strength. Another essential skill to perform laboratory animal technician duties is physical strength. Laboratory animal technicians responsibilities require that "veterinary technologists and technicians need to be able to manage and lift animals." Laboratory animal technicians also use physical strength in their role according to a real resume snippet: "assist clinical veterinarian with routine physicals on rabbits, non-human primates and canines. "
Compassion. laboratory animal technicians are also known for compassion, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to laboratory animal technician responsibilities, because "veterinary technologists and technicians must treat animals with kindness and must be sensitive when dealing with the owners of sick pets." A laboratory animal technician resume example shows how compassion is used in the workplace: "showed compassion for patient's parents during times of hardship, accidents of patients. "
Detail oriented. For certain laboratory animal technician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "detail oriented." The day-to-day duties of a laboratory animal technician rely on this skill, as "veterinary technologists and technicians must pay attention to detail." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what laboratory animal technicians do: "prepared detailed reports with recommendations for improving animal health and welfare in accordance with local iacuc guidelines. "
Communication skills. Another common skill required for laboratory animal technician responsibilities is "communication skills." This skill comes up in the duties of laboratory animal technicians all the time, as "veterinary technologists and technicians communicate with supervisors, other staff, and animal owners." An excerpt from a real laboratory animal technician resume shows how this skill is central to what a laboratory animal technician does: "maintain strong communication with dvm and clients. "
The three companies that hire the most laboratory animal technicians are:
- Oregon Health & Science University26 laboratory animal technicians jobs
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute8 laboratory animal technicians jobs
- Baylor College of Medicine7 laboratory animal technicians jobs
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Compare different laboratory animal technicians
Laboratory animal technician vs. Veterinary nurse
Registered veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The technicians must control and prevent zoonotic diseases. They assist veterinarians in medical administration, surgeries, and other animal health treatment procedures. These technicians observe animals for behavioral and physical changes, perform lab tests and collect laboratory examples, and provide nursing care to animals. They must undergo training in any accredited veterinarian technician programs and must study topics such as veterinary anatomy and physiology, parasitology, and veterinary nursing.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between laboratory animal technicians and veterinary nurse. For instance, laboratory animal technician responsibilities require skills such as "animal husbandry," "research animals," "cleanliness," and "technical procedures." Whereas a veterinary nurse is skilled in "patients," "patient care," "pet," and "medical procedures." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Veterinary nurses really shine in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,153. Comparatively, laboratory animal technicians tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,377.The education levels that veterinary nurses earn slightly differ from laboratory animal technicians. In particular, veterinary nurses are 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a laboratory animal technician. Additionally, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory animal technician vs. Registered veterinary technician
A veterinary technician assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a veterinary hospital or clinic. Their responsibilities include administering medication to animals in adherence to the veterinarian's directives and performing basic care tasks such as feeding, bathing, and walking animals. They may also clean cages, sterilize equipment, prepare and process documents, and answer calls and inquiries. Furthermore, as a veterinary technician assistant, it is essential to monitor the behavior of animals, reporting to the veterinarian or technician should there be any problems.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, laboratory animal technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "animal husbandry," "research animals," "cleanliness," and "technical procedures." Meanwhile, a registered veterinary technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "pet," "patients," "venipuncture," and "patient care." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, registered veterinary technicians earn a higher salary than laboratory animal technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, registered veterinary technicians earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $41,217. Whereas laboratory animal technicians have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $35,377.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Registered veterinary technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than laboratory animal technicians. In fact, they're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for laboratory animal technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Gerald Bergtrom Ph.D.
Professor of Biological Sciences (Emeritus) & Teaching & Learning Consultant, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
-Medical science will need to respond to new challenges arising out of climate change and the aging population. Supported (as always) by basic sciences, medical science will focus on big-picture biology, represented by the ever-growing number of "...omics". These include genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics... and the enabling technologies that let us look at a lot of genes, gene products, and biochemical reactions at the same time. Finally, the ever-improving gene-editing technologies can lead to the treatment of disease, leading to a greater understanding of the disease and biological process in general.
Laboratory animal technician vs. Veterinary technician assistant
A certified veterinary technician is in charge of performing laboratory tests, participating in medical procedures, and performing clerical support tasks at veterinary clinics, zoos, and private laboratories. Their responsibilities often include collecting information from pet owners, studying the patients' medical histories, gathering and analyzing samples from the patients through various laboratory procedures, operating equipment and machines, and monitoring the patients' conditions. Moreover, under the supervision of a veterinarian, they may also provide first-aid to animals and administer medication.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from laboratory animal technician resumes include skills like "animal husbandry," "research animals," "cleanliness," and "technical procedures," whereas a veterinary technician assistant is more likely to list skills in "patients," "pet," "patient care," and "anesthesia. "
Veterinary technician assistants earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $40,380. Laboratory animal technicians earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $35,377.veterinary technician assistants typically earn similar educational levels compared to laboratory animal technicians. Specifically, they're 3.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Laboratory animal technician vs. Certified veterinary technician
Types of laboratory animal technician
Updated January 8, 2025
