Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Animal health technologists perform supportive duties in the field of veterinary medicine. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, zoos and animal research laboratories.

Nature of Work

Animal health technologists perform supportive duties in the field of veterinary medicine. They are employed in veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, zoos and animal research laboratories.

Duties

Animal health technology is a fairly diverse field of work, and work duties for technologists in the field will vary depending on the size and species of the animal being treated. However, most technologists in this field have similar responsibilities. They provide technical support to veterinarians by caring for animals and assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health disorders.They are also generally responsible for handling, restraining and caring for animals undergoing treatment and surgery and for performing radiography and other laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis of animal health problems.

Animal health technologists may also be responsible for assisting veterinarians during surgery by preparing surgical equipment and administering and monitoring anaesthetics and for preparing and administering medications and vaccines under direction of veterinarian. Animal health technologists also administer treatments as prescribed by a veterinarian and conduct specialized procedures, such as animal identification, dehorning and hoof trimming. Many in this field counsel clients on animal health care and conduct and assist in laboratory research.

Example Titles

• animal care technician
• animal health technologist
• animal technologist
• laboratory animal technician
• veterinary technologist
• veterinary laboratory technician

Training Paths

Individuals interested in a career in animal health technology can earn a diploma in Veterinary Technology from SIAST.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: good

The number of veterinary and animal health technologists working in Saskatchewan nearly doubled between 1995 and 2000, according to the 2001 Census. This was followed by a period of slight downturn. Between 2001 and 2006, employment for these occupations dropped by more than 10%. Whether or not this downward trend continues, prospective technologists cannot expect many job openings in the next few years. This is a very young work force; only 11% of all Saskatchewan technologists were over the age of 45 in 2006. This means limited retirement in the short term.

Veterinary and animal health technologists assistants are not well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this field was $29,880 per year. This is one of the lowest income levels among health technicians and skilled workers and it is well below the full-time provincial average for all occupations ($42,300 per year in 2005). Of course, many technologists in the province earned considerably more (or less) than the average. Some technologists in the province earned as much as $44,350 in 2005. Veterinary and animal health technologists who work in Regina or Saskatoon generally earn more than their counterparts elsewhere in the province.

An increasing number of animal health technologists in Saskatchewan are working less than full-time hours. In 2005, only 42% of all veterinary and animal health technologists in the province worked full time year round, 24% increase from 2000. Over 90% of all technologists were female in 2006. Work in these fields is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions, and self-employment is rare. In 2006, just over 50% of all veterinary and animal health technologists worked in or around Saskatchewan's two largest cities; 46% in Saskatoon and 7% in Regina.

Knowledge in medical and animal science often advance rapidly, and it is crucial that veterinary and animal health technologists keep abreast of developments within their area of expertise. A career in this field will involve periods of retraining and professional development. Technologists who continually upgrade their skills have an advantage over others seeking employment in this field.

Professional Associations

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