Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians
(NOC 3213)
in All HealthAnimal health technologists and veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and help diagnose and treat animal health disorders. They work for veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and government. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this group.
Job Outlook
average
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Compared to: All Health
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a small percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are not expected to be a major contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Animal Health Technologists and Veterinary Technicians most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically permanent positions.
There are some positive, long-term factors that suggest employment growth for this occupation. These include a greater awareness of advanced care options on the part of pet owners, better technological and medical solutions, a general willingness to spend more on animal care, and an increase in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vacancies in the occupation may come about more from the general mobility of a younger workforce than from retirements. There is some indication employers in the province are having difficulty finding experienced workers, rarely seeing applicants with more than a year's worth of experience, as they compete with other provinces for qualified technicians.
Hourly Pay
$13.35
Minimum$17.00
Median$18.90
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,586
Minimum$27,196
Median$42,829
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and help diagnose and treat animal health disorders. They work for veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, humane societies, zoos, animal research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and government. Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians who are supervisors are included in this group.
Job duties
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians:
- Provide nursing care and rehabilitation therapy for animals.
- Handle, restrain, and care for animals undergoing treatment and surgery.
- Produce radiographs, collect, and analyze samples and do other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems.
- Help veterinarian with animals before, during and following surgery by preparing surgical equipment, administering, and monitoring anesthetics and cleaning up after surgery.
- Prepare and administer medications and vaccines under direction of a veterinarian.
- Administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian.
- Provide wound and bandage care.
- Carry out specialized procedures like animal identification and hoof trimming.
- Educate and advise clients on animal health care including nutrition and home care.
- Help in laboratory research.
- Do routine animal dental procedures and assist veterinarians with animal dentistry.
- May do a variety of office management and clerical duties.
Sample job titles
- animal care technician
- animal health technician - agriculture
- animal health technologist
- animal operating room attendant
- laboratory animal technician
- registered animal health technologist (RAHT)
- registered veterinary technician (RVT)
- veterinarian assistant
- veterinary laboratory technician
- veterinary technologist
Skills
- You should have an interest in medicine and health as well as in animals. Manual dexterity and good coordination are necessary. You should be able to handle and restrain animals that may be distressed or in pain. If you work in a veterinary practice, you will require good interpersonal and communication skills to deal with pet owners.
Job requirements
- A two- or three-year animal health/veterinary technology college program is required.
- Successful completion of a national registration examination may be required in some employment settings.
- Registration with provincial animal health technologists' or veterinary technicians' associations is available, and is mandatory in some provinces.
Other considerations
- While most people in these jobs are employed full-time, part-time and casual work arrangements are common. With experience, animal health technologists and veterinary technicians may progress to supervisory positions.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$26,023 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$32,113 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$36,904 median annual incomeSouthern
$18,567 median annual incomeCape Breton
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Other services (except public administration)
Health care and social assistance
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
15-24
45-54
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$28,283 median annual incomeBachelor
$25,907 median annual incomeDiploma Below Bachelor
$15,847 median annual incomeHigh school
N/AMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Animal Behaviour and Ethology
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific study of the psychological and neurological bases of animal sensation, perception, cognition, behaviour, and behavioural interactions within and outside the species. They include courses in ethology, behavioural neuroscience, neurobiology, behavioural evolution, cognition and sensory perception, motivators, learning and instinct, hormonal controls, reproductive and developmental biology, community ecology, functional behaviour, and applications to specific behaviours and patterns as well as to specific phyla and species.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Animal Sciences
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural animal products. They include courses in the animal sciences, animal husbandry and production, and agricultural and food products processing.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Preveterinary Studies
College or University ProgramThis includes any program that prepares students for admission to a first-professional program in veterinary medicine.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Veterinary Sciences/Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Cert., MSc, PhD)
University ProgramThis includes any integrated program of study in one or more of the veterinary medical or clinical sciences or a program undifferentiated as to title.
Institutions providing this program
Truro, NS
Veterinary/Animal Health Technician and Vterinary Assistant
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students, under the supervision of veterinarians, laboratory animal specialists, and zoological professionals, to provide patient management, care, and clinical procedures assistance as well as owner communication. They include courses in animal nursing care, animal health and nutrition, animal handling, clinical pathology, radiology, anesthesiology, dental prophylaxis, surgical assisting, clinical laboratory procedures, office administration skills, patient and owner management, and applicable standards and regulations.
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title: This job is regulated in Nova Scotia. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional designation. Professional designation shows that the holder has met provincial standards for the job. Employers may require professional designation, but professional designation is not necessary to do this work.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.