Animal Care Technician: Job Description and Education Requirements

If you love working with animals, you may want to consider a career as an animal care technician. Technicians typically care for animals in clinical settings, track their medical progress and provide basic healthcare. Educational requirements for these positions may vary according to employer and animal care setting.

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Job Description

An animal care technician works one-on-one with animals, usually in either animal hospitals or research laboratory facilities. Technicians monitor and maintain the health of animals under their care and may perform duties such as receiving new animals, cleaning and changing cages and providing food and water. Some animal technicians have more complex duties that may include updating and maintaining animal records, administering injections and medications, sterilizing equipment and preparing laboratory samples.

While animal lovers in particular gain satisfaction from contributing to animal health and sometimes human health as well, in certain research settings. However, it should be noted that there are some dangers inherent in this type of work. Many aspects of this job may be physically taxing, emotionally stressful and sometimes physically risky.

Animal care technicians may have to move heavy objects such as cages or equipment and deal with distressed animals, which may them at risk for injuries, bites or scratches. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2009 that technicians and technologists who work full-time in animal care have a higher than average rate of work injuries and illness than other professions (www.bls.gov).

Education Requirements

At the minimum, a high school education is usually required to work as an animal care technician, although an associate or bachelor's degree is preferred by some employers. Educational options to consider are colleges or technical schools that offer two-year programs in relevant fields, such as veterinary technology or laboratory animal science. Most employers prefer technicians who have graduated from programs that have been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Associate's degree programs in veterinary technology may require incoming students to take a physical exam, provide proof of vaccinations and acquire health insurance. Because of the popularity of veterinary tech programs, colleges may impose strict guidelines on program applicants and use a selective admissions process. Admission eligibility may rest on GPA scores, high school coursework in the sciences, previous college credits and a college placement test.

Most two-year program curriculum concentrates on small animals, such as those typically seen in veterinary practices or used in clinical settings. Coursework often includes general education topics such as biology, chemistry and natural sciences. Major coursework is often intensive in animal physiology and anatomy and can include other topics such as:

  • Veterinary surgery assistance
  • Veterinary radiology
  • Laboratory practices
  • Veterinary office procedures
  • Small animal anesthesia

Certification Options

Many states require veterinary technicians to receive professional certification or registration and all states require technicians to pass a state administered exam. Most states use the National Veterinary Technician (NVT) exam to determine if a technician has the needed skills and education to provide animal care.

There is specific certification available for technicians working in laboratory facilities. Certification is offered by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) at three levels- Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician, Laboratory Animal Technician and Laboratory Animal Technologist. Each level of certification requires a certain level of education and experience and the passing of a multiple-choice exam that focuses on the topics of animal husbandry and management and administration (www.aalas.org).

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