Reading 4.5: Other Jobs in the Racing Industry

Communicating in the Horse Racing Industry

Reading 4.5: Other jobs in the racing industry

The following position outline has been taken from the jobs guide website http://jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au

Animal Technician ASCO Code: 311215H

Animal technicians help veterinary, medical, pharmacy, agricultural and general scientists and students to care for and check on animals used for research, breeding and scientific purposes.

Animal technicians may perform the following tasks:

 check and record, on a daily basis, the health status and behaviour of animals in their care  prepare food and water and care for laboratory, field or zoo animals  look after zoo exhibits, holding or breeding areas and equipment  assist in return-to-the-wild programs  carry out experiments using animals, and record the results under supervision and according to relevant codes of practice and the organisation's animal experimentation ethics committee  take samples of animal body fluids, faeces or tissues for analysis or veterinary inspection  inspect and test animals for worm infestation and disease  observe animals' reactions to tests  make routine calculations and prepare graphs  clean and disinfect cages and facilities, and sterilise equipment  establish and maintain breeding programs  help in fertility testing with sheep, cattle or poultry research  assist in the selection and grading of animals for breeding programs  help with injections, surgery, dressings and care of animals after operations  assist with the production of animal experimentation protocols  humanely put animals down and/or handle animals which have died  carry out post-mortem examinations on dead animals.

Animal technicians may specialise as a:

Field Assistant who cares for large animals, such as sheep and cattle used for research purposes, in outside pens and paddocks.

Zookeeper who helps care for animals in zoos and wildlife parks, and provides assistance to veterinary staff. Zookeepers observe animal behaviour and provide enrichment activities for the animals in their care. Zookeepers also provide information to the public on animals and conservation, and create appropriate environments for education and animal welfare. Zookeepers may work with a wide variety of wildlife, both exotic and native, such as birds, mammals and reptiles. They work in city and open-range zoos. Animal technicians are usually required to work in shifts and on weekends. Some work outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions. Much of their time is spent doing routine tasks such as cleaning exhibits and feeding animals.

 2004 Commonwealth of Australia Page 1 of 2 Produced by School of FEAES, Victoria University www.staff.vu.edu.au/racing Communicating in the Horse Racing Industry

Personal Requirements:

 enjoy practical and manual activities  interested in animals, their welfare and conservation  able to handle animals with confidence and patience  able to make accurate observations  free from allergies aggravated by animal hair, feathers, fur and dust  able to undertake manual and sometimes heavy work

Related Jobs:

 Agricultural Technical Officer  Animal Attendant  Horse Trainer  Laboratory Worker  Shearer  Stablehand  Veterinarian  Veterinary Nurse  Zoologist

State/Territory Specific Information: Information relating to education and training, employment opportunities and additional information is specific to each State/Territory. To see the relevant information, select the State or Territory:

NSW/ACT NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA

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 2004 Commonwealth of Australia Page 2 of 2 Produced by School of FEAES, Victoria University www.staff.vu.edu.au/racing