Veterinarian Job Description
The job of a Veterinarian involves studying, diagnosing, treating and controlling animal diseases or injuries. They help healthy animals avoid getting diseases, perform surgeries to animals, prescribe medications and inspect meat products or other animals to be used as food. Veterinarians find work in farms, zoos, ranches, hospitals, private clinics, pharmaceutical companies, meat/poultry houses or government agencies.
Education/Experience Requirements for the job of a Veterinarian: A successful candidate must obtain at least 2 years of undergraduate training in biological/physical sciences or a related field, followed by a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (V.M.D. or D.V.M.) degree, veterinarians must pass state licensing examinations.
Skills of a Veterinarian include but are not limited to: active listening and reading comprehension, critical thinking, time management and organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment and decision-making skills, complex problem solving skills and ability to use mathematics and science in solving problems. Veterinarians must also have a natural love for animals and be willing to work during non-traditional working hours.
Specific work elements of the job as a Veterinarian include but are not limited to: Diagnosing and treating diseases or injuries of farm animals or pets; testing dairy herds, sheep, horses and other animals for disorders and diseases; advising animal owners about general care, feeding, breeding, exercise and other health requirements of specific animals; performing research; working in research and development of commercial products; working as a consultant for commercial firms; conducting clinical research in labs; performing surgery on animals; and preventing communicable animal diseases, among others.
