Will AI replace Veterinary Technologists and Technicians?
AI can do 18% of the work Veterinary Technologists and Technicians do at least twice as fast. Real use has not caught up: none of their tasks show up in real AI use yet, but AI could speed up 7 of them. Robots can technically handle 6 physical tasks. 18 still need a person.
AI is already doing this0 · 0% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Real AI use has not reached any of this job's tasks yet.
AI could do this next7 · 18% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Take and develop diagnostic radiographs, using x-ray equipment.4% of time
- Maintain laboratory, research, or treatment records, as well as inventories of pharmaceuticals, equipment, or supplies.4% of time
- Discuss medical health of pets with clients, such as post-operative status.4% of time
- Perform a variety of office, clerical, or accounting duties, such as reception, billing, bookkeeping, or selling products.3% of time
- Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.1% of time
- Monitor medical supplies and place orders when inventory is low.1% of time
- Schedule appointments and procedures for animals.1% of time
Robots can technically do this6 · 22% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Clean kennels, animal holding areas, surgery suites, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.Robots: purpose built settings5% of time
- Provide veterinarians with the correct equipment or instruments, as needed.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
- Fill prescriptions, measuring medications and labeling containers.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
- Maintain instruments, equipment, or machinery to ensure proper working condition.Robots: purpose built settings1% of time
Still needs a person18 · 59% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.8% of time
- Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.8% of time
- Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.5% of time
- Restrain animals during exams or procedures.5% of time
- Collect, prepare, and label samples for laboratory testing, culture, or microscopic examination.4% of time
- Take animals into treatment areas and assist with physical examinations by performing such duties as obtaining temperature, pulse, or respiration data.4% of time
- Observe the behavior and condition of animals and monitor their clinical symptoms.4% of time
- Perform dental work, such as cleaning, polishing, or extracting teeth.4% of time
- Prepare animals for surgery, performing such tasks as shaving surgical areas.3% of time
- Give enemas and perform catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.3% of time
- Prepare treatment rooms for surgery.3% of time
- Provide information or counseling regarding issues such as animal health care, behavior problems, or nutrition.3% of time
- Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.1% of time
- Provide assistance with animal euthanasia and the disposal of remains.1% of time
- Dress and suture wounds and apply splints or other protective devices.1% of time
- Bathe animals, clip nails or claws, and brush or cut animals' hair.1% of time
- Supervise or train veterinary students or other staff members.1% of time
- Conduct specialized procedures, such as animal branding or tattooing or hoof trimming.under 1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships. Robots are the other change to watch: they can technically do 28% of the working time.
What to do next
- Get ahead on the 7 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 6 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 18 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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