anatomy of animals
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.
Competences and skills
55 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 9 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
7 competencesanimal behaviour
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
biosecurity related to animals
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
environmental enrichment for animals
Types, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, social and training activities.
physiology of animals
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
safe work practices in a veterinary setting
Safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and working environment.
signs of animal illness
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
Cross-sector
2 competencesanimal welfare
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
green
animal welfare legislation
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
- Scope note
- National and EU legislation relevant to occupation, regulatory body and codes of conduct. This may include . , health and safety, risk assessment requirements and codes of conduct, especially in the areas of animal welfare, health and public health, food and environmental safety in relation with clients.
Essential skills and competences 21 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesassist in the administration of fluids to animals
Prepare the equipment for administering fluids to animals, observe the animal during the treatment, and keep fluid balance records.
maintain work environments in a veterinary practice
Prepare and maintain work environments for use, including equipment and materials, ensuring that equipment and materials are available.
monitor condition of hospitalised animals
Monitor hospitalised animals and make appropriate adjustments in areas such as nutrition, hygiene, and pain management.
Sector-specific
13 competencesapply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and work environments.
assist in administering veterinary anaesthetics
Assist the veterinary surgeon in administering anaesthetics to animals including the maintenance and monitoring of anaesthesia during veterinary procedures.
- Scope note
- All assistance in the administration and maintenance of anaesthesia is provided under direct veterinary supervision.
assist in general veterinary medical procedures
Assist veterinarians by preparing both the animal and the equipment for medical procedures, and providing care and support to the animal undergoing a medical procedure.
assist the veterinary surgeon as a scrub nurse
Provide assistance in the handling of equipment and materials in a sterile manner during surgical procedures in operating theatre.'
- Scope note
- Handling includes handling of tissues as part of the surgical procedure
control animal movement
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
- Scope note
- "Restrain" includes physical and mechanical means, and/or the use of chemical means under veterinary direction.
manage animal biosecurity
Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
prepare animals for anaesthesia
Prepare animals for anaesthesia, including performing pre-anaesthetic checks and procedures and reporting findings.'
prepare animals for veterinary surgery
Prepare animals for minor and major surgical procedures and carry out the correct positioning and use of aseptic skin preparation.'
prepare environment for veterinary surgery
Prepare the surgical environment, including preparation rooms, operating theatres, equipment and materials. prior to surgery.
prepare veterinary anaesthetic equipment
Prepare and turn on all equipment required for animal anaesthesia, such as the anaesthesia machine, breathing circuit, endotracheal tube, intubation tools and anaesthetic monitors. Ensure they function and have undergone appropriate safety checks.
provide first aid to animals
Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid provided by a veterinarian. Non-veterinarians providing emergency treatment are expected to seek treatment by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Scope note
- Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought.
support veterinary diagnostic imaging procedures
Prepare the equipment and animal for diagnostic imaging. Conduct or support diagnostic imaging procedures. Provide care for the animal undergoing diagnostic imaging.'
support veterinary diagnostic procedures
Prepare equipment and animals for veterinary diagnostic tests. Conduct or support sample collection. Preserve samples from animals for analysis and communicate the results. Provide care for the animal undergoing examination.'
Cross-sector
5 competencesdeal with challenging people
Work safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how to address them to promote personal safety and that of others.
handle veterinary emergencies
Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.
manage infection control in the facility
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
- Scope note
- Includes procedures such as hand washing, disinfection and proper skin care, universal hygiene precautions, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment, reporting and treatment of sharps injuries, and dealing with blood and body fluid spillages.
manage personal professional development
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders. Pursue a cycle of self-improvement and develop credible career plans.
research
monitor the welfare of animals
Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
green
Optional knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencesanimal production science
Animal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.
veterinary terminology
Spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 23 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
15 competencesassess animal behaviour
Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'
calculate rates per hours
Make simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.
collaborate with animal related professionals
Collaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.
cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sector
Maintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'
interview animal owners on animals' conditions
Ask questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.
maintain administrative records in the veterinary office
Create and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'
maintain stocks of veterinary materials
Maintain stocks of veterinary materials to ensure there is an adequate supply. Ensure appropriate storage, rotation and record keeping for veterinary materials.
maintain veterinary clinical records
Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.
- Scope note
- Includes consultations, animal details, clinical measurements, communication with clients, prescription of pharmaceuticals, surgical and medical diagnostics and treatments, certification and monitoring of hospitalization records.
make decisions regarding the animal's welfare
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
manage veterinary practice waiting area
Manage the waiting area in a veterinary practice and ensure that both the clients' and the animals' needs are monitored and prioritised.
practise veterinary professional codes of conduct
Adhere to veterinary professional codes of practice and legislation.
- Scope note
- This involves relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements and codes of conduct, especially in the areas of animal welfare, health and public health, food and environmental safety in relation with clients.
provide support to veterinary clients
Assist clients seeking veterinary treatment and during the provision of veterinary services. Aid clients with the care of their animals by demonstrating care techniques and use of veterinary products. Provide support during difficult situations.
- Scope note
- To include how to provide: emotional support to the client, demonstrate techniques, make recommendations on care and use of veterinary products.
take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary science
Use different channels and learning styles such as journals, courses, and conferences to obtain new information, knowledge, skills, and know-how in relation to working with animals.
treat animals ethically
Carry out activities according to accepted principles of right and wrong, including transparency in work practices and conduct towards clients and their animals.
understand the animal's situation
Categorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.
Cross-sector
8 competencescommunicate by telephone
Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.
execute working instructions
Understand, interpret and properly apply work instructions regarding different tasks in the workplace.
follow work procedures
Adhere to procedures at work in a structured and systematic manner.
follow work schedule
Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
follow written instructions
Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
maintain professional records
Produce and maintain records of work performed.
plan schedule
Develop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.
process payments
Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.