Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Animal Care Technician
An Animal Care Technician is a professional who plays a crucial role in the welfare and well-being of animals. They provide care and support to animals in various settings, such as animal shelters, veterinary clinics, research laboratories, and zoos. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Animal Care Technicians.
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Main Responsibilities of an Animal Care Technician
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Animal Care Technician:
Abide by
Abide by existing dog-walking protocol.
Administer
Administer medications and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians.
Assess
Assess inventory, and stock supplies as needed.
Assist in
Assist the research staff and users with animal care procedures and techniques.
Assist in the breeding and reproduction programs, including monitoring mating behaviors and caring for newborn animals.
Assist in the collection and processing of samples for laboratory testing.
Assist in the coordination of adoption processes for animals in shelters.
Assist in the development and implementation of behavioral training programs for animals.
Assist in the identification and treatment of common animal diseases and parasites.
Assist non-animal care personnel as directed in animal activities.
Assist research staff as needed.
Assist with animal handling and restraint during examinations and procedures.
Assist with animal procurement and disposition including.
Assist with the sentinel surveillance program.
Carry
Carry out duties independently, with minimal supervision.
Carry out familiar duties and responsibilities under general supervision.
Clean
Clean and maintain animal enclosures, ensuring a clean and safe environment.
Clean and sanitize kennels and enclosures, and all equipment, per existing SOPs.
Clean vehicles, per SOPs within X hours of every transport.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with veterinary professionals to provide necessary medical care.
Complete
Complete all required reporting documents and cage identification cards.
Conduct
Conduct laboratory procedures.
Conduct regular inspections of facilities to identify any safety or maintenance issues.
Contribute to
Contribute to prepare and maintain active Vivarium SOPs.
Coordinate
Coordinate order details to include selection, packaging and confirming accuracy.
Educate
Educate the public on responsible pet ownership and animal care.
Enjoy
Enjoy the process of cleaning.
Ensure
Ensure Adoption Center is kept clean and inviting throughout the day.
Ensure at all times that work complies with animal, facility and good laboratory standards.
Ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations and guidelines.
Ensure every animal is provided with the 5 Freedoms, every day.
Ensure investigators follow standard operating procedures.
Ensure positive relationships are developed with researchers and the ARC staff.
Ensure supplies are kept stocked in a timely manner to ensure continuous availability.
Ensure that all puppies and kittens health is monitored daily.
Ensure that orders match the incoming animal log and assigned cage cards.
Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures are current and up-to-date.
Ensure the comfort and cleanliness of shelter animals.
Exercise
Exercise and socialize animals three times a day.
Feed
Feed animals as scheduled, and ensure that clean water is available at all times.
Follow
Follow all protocols put forth by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Follow all safety standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies.
Follow protocol to ensure the health and welfare of the animals in care.
Help
Help maintain facility records for the Vivarium.
Help maintain records and folders kept for puppies and kittens.
Interact with
Interact with facility users in a pleasant and respectful manner.
Keep
Keep accurate records of breeding, feeding, cleaning and care of animals.
Lead
Lead Animal Care Technicians also provide training and coaching to other Animal Care Technicians.
Learn
Learn, implement, and teach new protocols.
Liaise with
Liaise with researchers and their teams.
Maintain
Maintain accurate documentation of animal records as directed in all aspects of job.
Maintain accurate records of animal breeding and health.
Maintain accurate records of animal care, including feeding schedules, medical treatments, and behavioral observations.
Maintain cleanliness and organization of equipment and supplies.
Maintain confidentiality and adhere to safety regulations at all times.
Maintain responsibility for sanitation of the animal buildings, cages and support areas.
Maintain the cleanliness of the animal transport vehicle and the mobile adoptions vehicle.
Make
Make and report routine observations of animals- each animal, every day, at last once daily.
Monitor
Monitor and control animal populations to prevent overcrowding and ensure optimal living conditions.
Monitor and record vital signs, such as temperature, pulse, and respiration rates.
Monitor daily animal health and welfare while performing daily animal health observations.
Participate in
Participate as an active member on the CCM Safety Committee.
Participate in the euthanasia process when necessary, following established protocols.
Perform
Perform all other related duties as assigned.
Perform animal care and husbandry tasks.
Perform cage changing and / or cage cleaning as required.
Perform daily water bottle and cage checks.
Perform grooming tasks, including bathing, brushing, and nail trimming.
Perform other cleaning tasks in and around the kennel.
Perform other related duties as assigned by management.
Perform other related tasks as required.
Perform rodent euthanasia via exsanguination preceded by administration of CO2 or anesthesia.
Prepare
Prepare samples for transport to offsite diagnostic laboratory.
Provide
Provide appropriate bedding at all times, and appropriate daily enrichment.
Provide appropriate food and water.
Provide consistent, high quality and compassionate care to all animals.
Provide custodial duties to maintain facility sanitation procedures.
Provide daily care and feeding for animals, including monitoring their health and behavior.
Provide daily husbandry care to laboratory mice and rats.
Provide proper nutrition daily.
Provide socialization and enrichment activities to promote animal well-being.
Provide technical assistance with animal treatments and health monitoring of colony animals.
Receive
Receive and pack live animal shipments.
Receive and set up incoming animals.
Recommend
Recommend revisions to existing policies and procedures to the Assistant Supervisor.
Record
Record and prepare data for inclusion in project reports.
Record animal health concerns per SOP and / or specified protocols.
Report
Report all signs of illness to the Supervisor immediately.
Report any concerns to the Supervisor.
Report errors immediately to the Supervisor.
Report sick or injured animals immediately to Attending Veterinarian or Clinical Veterinarian.
Represent
Represent the ASPCA in a professional, and courteous manner at all times.
Seek
Seek to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible.
Support
Support and follow organizational and departmental policies and protocols.
Take
Take direction from the Senior Operations Manager and the Assistant Supervisor.
Understand
Understand the importance of cleaning and sanitation in a shelter environment.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Animal Care Technician:
Basic knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology, and behavior.
Proficiency in animal handling and restraint techniques.
Understanding of common animal diseases and treatment protocols.
Experience in administering medications and vaccinations.
Knowledge of proper nutrition and feeding requirements for different species.
Familiarity with grooming techniques and practices.
Ability to use and maintain various animal care equipment and tools.
Proficiency in record-keeping and documentation.
Understanding of laboratory procedures for sample collection and testing.
Knowledge of animal breeding and reproduction principles.
Experience in administering first aid and emergency care to animals.
Understanding of animal welfare regulations and ethical considerations.
Proficiency in operating computer software for data entry and analysis.
Ability to operate and maintain animal care facilities and equipment.
Knowledge of zoonotic diseases and biosecurity measures.
Familiarity with surgical assisting and post-operative care.
Understanding of animal behavior modification techniques.
Experience in conducting behavioral assessments and observations.
Knowledge of environmental enrichment strategies for animal well-being.
Proficiency in the use of laboratory equipment for diagnostic testing.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Animal Care Technician:
Compassion and empathy towards animals.
Strong communication skills for interacting with colleagues, veterinarians, and the public.
Ability to work well in a team and collaborate with others.
Attention to detail and strong observational skills.
Time management and organizational skills for prioritizing tasks.
Adaptability and flexibility in handling diverse animal species and situations.
Patience and calmness when dealing with stressed or aggressive animals.
Physical stamina and ability to perform tasks that involve lifting, carrying, and cleaning.
Problem-solving skills to address animal care challenges and emergencies.
Excellent interpersonal skills to build rapport with animals and establish trust.
Conclusion
In the role of an Animal Care Technician, individuals are responsible for the well-being and welfare of animals under their care. They provide daily care, administer medications, monitor health and behavior, and maintain clean and safe environments. Animal Care Technicians also play a vital role in educating the public about responsible pet ownership and promoting animal welfare.
Apart from technical skills related to animal care, Animal Care Technicians require a range of hard and soft skills to excel in their role. Hard skills encompass knowledge and proficiency in animal handling, disease management, grooming, and record-keeping. These technical skills ensure the proper care and health of animals.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are equally important. Compassion, communication, teamwork, and attention to detail are essential soft skills for building positive relationships with animals, colleagues, and the public. Animal Care Technicians must demonstrate patience, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities to address the diverse needs and challenges they may encounter.
