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Veterinarian Technician skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted Experts

Dr. James Roush,

Shea Porr Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical veterinarian technician skills. We ranked the top skills for veterinarian technicians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 16.2% of veterinarian technician resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a veterinarian technician needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 veterinarian technician skills for your resume and career

1. Patients

Here's how veterinarian technicians use patients:

Prepared patients for examinations by assessing potential problems prior to entering examination room with doctor -Assisted Dr. McMahon with surgery
Draw up blood work & assist veterinarian during physical exam of patients, administer controlled/uncontrolled drugs to patients

2. PET

Here's how veterinarian technicians use pet:

Provide immunizations of pet animals as directed by Assistant Public Health Officer/Veterinarian.
Assist Vet on duty with any procedures that are needed and comfort clients when hard decisions are made regarding their pet.

3. Anesthesia

Anesthesia is a treatment done to prevent or relieve the feeling of pain during a procedure like a tooth extraction, minor and major surgery, giving birth, and others. Typically, an anesthesiologist, doctors, nurses, and other health professionals use it. Depending on the so that their patients will be in a state of control or lose their sensation.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use anesthesia:

Assisted veterinarian with physical examinations, administered anesthesia and medications, processed fluids and blood products.
Monitored anesthesia and physiological parameters of multiple species of research animals during routine and complex procedures.

4. Catheter

Here's how veterinarian technicians use catheter:

Place catheters, draw blood, fill out paperwork to send samples to the labs for diagnostics.
Skilled in restraining animals, draw blood from both jugular and extremities, and placing catheters.

5. Lab Tests

A laboratory test is a practice in which a health care provider uses a sample of urine, blood, and other bodily fluid/tissue to get information about an individual's health. Lab tests lay a solid foundation for the diagnostics, screening, or monitoring specific diseases or conditions. Tests can help determine a treatment plan, access if a designated treatment is working, or monitor the situation of acute diseases.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use lab tests:

Run lab tests, give injections and medicate pets.
Performed various lab tests - small and large animals.

6. Surgery Room

Here's how veterinarian technicians use surgery room:

Sterilize tools, ensure equipment is in working order, stocking supplies for examination and surgery rooms.
Prepared surgical equipment and surgery room for surgeries.

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7. Patient Care

Patient care entails the diagnosis, recovery, and control of sickness as well as the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being through the use of healthcare providers' services. Patient care is described as services provided to patients by health practitioners or non-professionals under guidance.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use patient care:

Switchboard*Filing*Assisted in surgery*Performed patient care*Handled accounts receivables
Coordinated the In/Out patient care with staffing to ensure we were able to provide the highest level of care.

8. Catheter Placement

Catheter placement is the process of inserting a catheter into a patient's bladder, bowel, or urinary tract to freely drain and collect fluids or gases in an attached bag or container, and to perform a variety of other tasks, depending on the type of catheter.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use catheter placement:

Conducted proper intravenous catheter placement in cats and dogs for surgery and emergency.
Conducted IV catheter placement for surgery and emergency.

9. Radiology

Radiology means a division of medicine that concentrates on the use of radiant energy or any other radioactive material in the process of diagnosis and ailment treatments. It deals specifically with X-rays and radiations bearing high-energy, used in medicine and diagnosis.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use radiology:

Qualified to administer medications, perform blood draws, proper radiology techniques and all other aspects of a veterinary technician.
Performed and assisted in all procedures of radiology.

10. IV

Here's how veterinarian technicians use iv:

Perform certain procedures such as blood draws, placement of IV catheters, running lab work with the in house lab
Blood draws, placing IV catheters, in large and small animals, performing and reading tests.

11. Compassion

Here's how veterinarian technicians use compassion:

Possess the ability to balance empathy and compassion toward clients during delicate and difficult care decisions/procedures.
Handled client concerns with compassion and confidentiality.

12. Exam Rooms

An exam room in a hospital is a place where patients are examined by medical representatives. In several cases, the exam room distinguishes the doctor-patient relationship and is a critical component of the overall care process.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use exam rooms:

Assisted in surgery, exam rooms, pharmacy and assisted with patient questions and concerns pertaining to their animal's health.
Followed standard protocols and maintain clean, sterile and organized treatment areas, exam rooms and labs.

13. Scheduling Appointments

Scheduling appointments is the practice of finding a free slot with the person(s) you want to meet. The process of scheduling appointments involves finding mutually free time, negotiating follow-ups, sending reminders, and creating new appointments. Scheduling appointments is important to ensure that the timings of consecutive meetings do not clash with each other.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use scheduling appointments:

Assisted Doctors in animal handling and treatment administration, scheduling appointments, pharmacy responsibilities, client education and clinic maintenance.
Received incoming phone calls for scheduling appointments and surgical treatments in a veterinary hospital.

14. Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures include the list of tasks that are done while doing surgery. Usually, a surgical procedure involves an incision with instruments, performed to repair damage or heal the disease in a living body. Surgical procedures are performed by trained individuals such as surgeons, doctors, and nurses.

Here's how veterinarian technicians use surgical procedures:

Performed duties of first assist throughout various veterinarian surgical procedures.
Assisted in various patient examinations and surgical procedures.

15. Emergency Situations

Here's how veterinarian technicians use emergency situations:

Act quickly, properly and calmly in emergency situations.
Administered medication and responded to emergency situations Maintained customer files and maintained a safe and sanitary environment according to company policies

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What skills help Veterinarian Technicians find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on Veterinarian Technician resumes?

Dr. James Roush

Doughman Professor, Small Animal Surgery, Interim Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Student Affairs, Kansas State University

Experience in veterinary practices from externships, preceptorships, and other opportunities, and b) evidence of focused study in areas that the employer is seeking help for. That focus depends on the practice, but can include experience or advanced education with exotic pets, avian patients, or feline medicine for example, or in disciplines such as dentistry, dermatology, and oncology. Veterinary employers want to see evidence that prospective employees are able to bring advanced skills to the practice and attract new patients.

What Veterinarian Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Shea Porr Ph.D.

Department Head, Animal/Equine Science, Associate Professor, Equine Science, Murray State University

Any of what are being commonly called "soft skills" would be very useful. This includes things like communication, both writing and speaking; problem solving, both in a team and as an individual; and the ability to prioritize and accomplish tasks in a timely manner. One of the best ways to do some of these is to get involved in an internship. Many of those pay, and they're often designed to help students get a better feel for that company's particular part of the industry. If they're working a job for that gap year, step into leadership positions, even if it's something like being a shift lead. Get involved with a community organization-don't just be a member, but participate and really get involved. Many of the skills that aren't directly related to working with or managing animals are highly valuable to any employer and you can work on those skills in nearly any setting.

What type of skills will young Veterinarian Technicians need?

Marília Chiavegato Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - Agroecosystem Management for Food System Resilience, Ohio State University

This year has shown us the importance of adaptability and collaboration. Young graduates will need to be creative in changing environments, adaptable to different scenarios and requirements, and motivated to find quick, simple solutions to small and big problems.

Collaborative personality is also key. The problems we face currently in the world are complex, they need different perspectives and approaches. In Animal Sciences specifically, graduates need to keep in mind the relationships between animals, plants, and especially the environment. It is important that young graduates are able to find reliable sources of information and avoid disseminating false concepts and generalizations. They need to understand that decisions regarding animals' management affect plants, water quality, soil quality, and the atmosphere. There are plenty of opportunities to use animals to preserve and enhance environmental sustainability.

Working in groups is essential. Being able to lead different people or groups is a big differential. The ability to lead diverse groups of people is indissociable from the ability to listen and engage respectfully, despite difference in opinions.

Do you want to know more?

List of veterinarian technician skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a veterinarian technician resume and required skills for a veterinarian technician to have include:

Patients
PET
Anesthesia
Catheter
Lab Tests
Surgery Room
Patient Care
Catheter Placement
Radiology
IV
Compassion
Exam Rooms
Scheduling Appointments
Surgical Procedures
Emergency Situations
Clinical Symptoms

Animal Restraint
DVM
Administer Medications
Physical Exams
Fecal Samples
Vital Signs
Medical Procedures
Drawing Blood
Preventative Care
Front Desk
Medical Care
IM
Surgical Equipment
Intubation
Blood Samples
Surgical Instruments

Diagnostic Tests
Patient History
Medical History
Cornerstone
Medical Equipment
Dental Procedures
Blood Counts
Dental Prophylaxis
Computer System
Surgical Assistance
ICU
SQ
Emergency First Aid
Client Relations
Client Education

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Veterinarian Technician Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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