Animal Health Technician

OFO No:

What is an Animal Health Technician? 

Animal Health Technicians are interested in all technical areas of animal health care.  They work together with and help veterinarians, scientists and science students. 

For examples: programmes to remove disease, making and giving vaccines, studies in the field and work in an indoor laboratory.

What does an Animal Health Technician do?

• carries out experiments on animals and make notes
• watches animals’ reactions to tests/experiments
• makes calculations and graphs
• takes animal fluid samples eg faeces or tissue for veterinary analysis
• inspects and tests animals for disease
• makes food for animals
• cleans water bowls and fills them up
• helps with return-to-the-wild programs
• cleans cages
• sterilises equipment
• studies breeding programs
• helps in fertility testing
• helps with injections, surgery, bandages and care of animals after operations
• humanely puts animals down (euthanasia)
• handles animals that have died
• studies dead animals

Are you … ?

• love animals?
• hardworking?
• physical and strong?
• interested in working with veterinarians?
• emotionally stable?
  
• good at communication (writing and speaking)?
• organised?

How do I become an Animal Health Technician?

To become an Animal Health Technician you will need a minimum 3 year National Diploma in Animal Health which can be studied through UNISA . 

A BTech Degree in Animal Health is extremely advantageous.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

• SAVC: South African Veterinary Council

POSITIONS & SALARIES:

Animal Health Technician jobs can be found in the Department of Agriculture (government) or in the private sector, assisting farm managers, veterinarians or science laboratories eg medical companies.

• 2011-2012  Starting salaries from approximately R96 000 per annum

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Animal Care Attendant … or … Animal Nutritionist

Is becoming an Animal Health Technician the right career choice for me?