Animal technician
Animal technicians look after animals in medical and scientific research laboratories.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As part of your day-to-day duties you will:
- provide exercise, food and water to the animals
- carry out regular observations
- make sure that animals are clean and comfortable
- control heating, lighting and humidity
- monitor animals' weight and behaviour
- follow hygiene rules in the facility
- keep accurate records
Working environment
You could work at a research facility.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Career path and progression
You could become a senior animal technician and supervise or manage the work of other technicians.
With experience and further training, you could become an animal technologist or a named animal care and welfare officer.
You could specialise in working with animals in specific research areas like breeding, immunology or genetics.
There may also be opportunities to work as a trainer and assessor of new animal technicians.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to use your initiative
- sensitivity and understanding
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- administration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
You could apply directly for trainee animal technician jobs with GCSEs in maths, English and science. In addition, some employers may also expect you to have animal care and laboratory skills. You could gain these through a Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in:
- animal care or animal management
- applied science
- biology
- laboratory animal science and technology
Entry requirements
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
More Information
You could gain some of the skills needed for this role, from an animal care and welfare assistant intermediate apprenticeship.
Depending on your previous experience and qualifications, you may be able to do an animal technologist advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More Information
You may be able to apply directly if you have previous experience as an animal care assistant or veterinary nurse.
Career tips
Experience of lab techniques as well as handling and caring for animals, may improve your chances of finding a job or training.
You could get work experience:
- on a farm
- in kennels, an animal welfare centre or zoo
- in a science laboratory
Further information
Find out more about career pathways and training for animal technician and animal technologist roles from the Institute of Animal Technology.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.