Assists veterinarian to care for animals under treatment or in temporary residence at veterinary facilities and assists veterinarians to perform procedures and operations.

Provides animal care by determining animal requirements; conducts examinations and diagnostic procedures; assists during operations; feeds and cares for animals; maintains supplies and equipment; maintains records; determines animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviewing owner; completes laboratory tests and studies and diagnostic imaging; takes vital signs and collects samples; administers medications, drugs, and vaccines; bandages and wraps wounds; performs hydrotherapy and physical and inhalation therapies; supports animal examinations by assembling required supplies and instruments; explains animal status to owners; prepares surgery table instruments; completes local/regional anaesthesia; places catheters and obtains blood gases as needed; maintains sterile conditions; obtains and verifies medications; cleans animal cages and equipment; maintains safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment by sterilising and wrapping instruments, sanitising operating areas, verifying shelf-life of medications, and complying with legal regulations.

• Works indoors frequently in clinic but may be outdoors frequently (especially in rural veterinarian practices).
• Frequently works in hygienic, adequately heated, ventilated and well lit workspaces in clinic settings but works outdoors frequently in a rural setting.
• Work may be smelly and dirty at times and involve holding or restraining animals while treatment is provided. Infection prevention practices are necessary.
• Gloves and other protective equipment will be utilised as necessary.

• Light to heavy physical demand levels. Levels will vary in relation to the type of animal being cared for. Medium to heavy lifting, pulling or carrying is frequently needed to move animals and to carry required equipment or supplies.
• Employees frequently stand and walk about the clinic when working with animals and moving them about clinic areas and holding pens and cages, gathering equipment and meeting owners. Occasionally sits for clerical or record-keeping tasks. Stretching and/or twisting, bending, squatting or crouching will be occasionally when working with animals.
• Repetitive hand/arm movements are occasionally required.
• Driving is not a significant feature of the job in urban clinics but is frequently required in rural settings (in which case a driving license would be necessary).
• Mental skills include knowledge of animal behaviour, animal-handling, practical, observational, communication, documentation, organisational skills and knowledge of medical equipment (e.g. anaesthetic machines, sterilising, and x-ray equipment).

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Level 5) with strands in Rural Animal Technician, and Veterinary Nursing Assistant.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement, but they are limited.