Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

The Work

Animal technicians are responsible for the care and welfare of animals in laboratory research. Scientific research uses three million animals each year. Many scientists see the research as essential to human health and quality of life, although alternative methods and technologies are reducing the number of animals involved. Researchers have developed drugs and medicines, and improved knowledge of diseases and surgical techniques. Animal technicians must keep meticulous records detailing all procedures and developments surrounding the animals.  
 
Research usually involves rats and mice. However, technicians may look after a wide range of animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, monkeys, farm animals, fish and insects. This means that technicians must learn to adapt to the animals' different health and nutritional needs, and patterns of behaviour.  
 
Animal technicians carry out routine aspects of animal care. They feed and water the animals, and clean cages, rooms and equipment. They make sure animals are comfortable and that they are not suffering unnecessarily.  
 
Technicians use nutritional knowledge to prepare special diets. They are in daily contact with animals, and are able to detect early signs of disease, illness, and changes in behaviour.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
• Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
• Fill medication prescriptions.
• Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
• Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
• Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
• Administer medication, immunisations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
• Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Naturalist

Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.

Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

There are many pathways to a career as an Animal lab Technician.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Animal Care & Dental assistant in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Animal care, Animal science, Veterinary, Applied science, Dentistry lab techniques courses around Ireland at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Lab Tech & Lab Analyst NFQ level 6-7 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Animal Science, Agri-Science, Veterinary, Animal Bioscience, Equine science courses around Ireland at NFQ Levels 6-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Animal Biotech, Experimental regulations, Agricultural biotech, Clinical Lab science courses at NFQ level 9

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €45k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Sigmar / Morgan McKInley / Brightwater / Payscale

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022, by approximately 3,000 persons, but remained above 2017 levels, resulting in a positive, but below average, annual average growth rate for the five-year period. Employment for this occupation was primarily in industry (accounting for a 60% share of employment). Employment permits issued were across a variety of technician roles (e.g. process, manufacturing, laboratory). The Recruitment Agency Survey identified vacancies for maintenance technicians in manufacturing with electrical/mechanical skills as difficult-to-fill.

Employers (Skills for Growth) experienced difficulties in filling a range of engineering technician roles, including aircraft technicians and manufacturing technicians, particularly for those with digital skills and knowledge of procedures/processes. There was a 3% increase in the number of online job adverts in 2022, driven by increases in electrical/electronic technicians and, to a lesser extent, laboratory technicians.

New apprenticeship registrations for a number of industry related technicians (including lab analysts) have risen strongly since the first of these programmes were introduced in 2017; by 2022 there were 314 new registrations across a range of apprenticeships (lab analyst, manufacturing technology, OEM engineer etc.) up from approximately 100 in 2017. Although demand seems to be lessening for these roles, issues with attracting suitable candidates remain for maintenance and laboratory technicians in particular, at least in the short-term.

• Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority

  • Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
  • (059) 917 0200
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Institute of Animal Technology

  • 5 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JL, UK
  • +44 (0)800 085 4380
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Veterinary Council of Ireland

  • 53 Landsdowne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
  • (01) 668 4402
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Veterinary Ireland

  • 13 The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road, Dublin 12
  • 01 457 7976
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here