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Veterinarian

Veterinarians are responsible for treating a variety of ailments, disorders, illness or injuries associated with zoo, domestic, farm, large, and small animals.  They perform numerous duties including examining, testing, and treating or preventing illnesses and must be able to recognize common disorders so they can make correlations between symptoms to properly diagnose an animal.  Tests may include blood or specimen screening, x ray examinations, or dental checks.  Many of the illnesses animals obtain may be prevented with routine examination, vaccination, and physical check ups.  Advancements in medicine and technology have lead to newer and more accurate tools and machinery to assist vets with wound care, joint replacement, tumor removal, and the resetting and casting of broken bones. 

Similar to human healthcare, animals may need attention day and night; so many offices provide overnight care.  In order to better accommodate customers’ schedules, veterinarian offices often include evening and/or weekend shifts.  In addition to working off shifts, professionals who work with large animals, such as those in farms or zoos, often travel to the owners’ facility to treat animals on site.  This not only requires extended travel time, but may also force professionals to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. 

Although many professionals desire veterinary jobs because of their love for animals, there are a number of other factors to consider as well.  Animals that are transported to a strange facility may be frightened or feel threatened and need to be calmed or muzzled in order to complete necessary tasks.  It is not uncommon for vets to endure bites, kicks, or scratches; therefore caution is crucial when working with any animal. 

Candidates interested in entering veterinarian careers must undergo extensive training.  They are expected to complete a bachelor’s degree with a biology or science major before they are able to enter a veterinary school.  Competition for entrance into these programs is intense, and generally only the students with the highest grades are able to begin studying veterinary medicine.  These schools generally require an additional four years of education before students may attempt the licensure examination which must be passed in order to begin medical practice.  Students commonly undergo a two year internship which, in some instances, may be completed while still attending school. 

Competition to enter veterinary educational programs is high due to the demands that are expected for trained professionals in both large and small animal practices.  In 2004, approximately 61,000 professionals were employed in vet jobs, with 20% of those being self employed.  All veterinarians are expected to experience occupational growth, but careers in small animal treatment will increase more quickly than large animal, zoo, or aquarium veterinarians.  Plentiful occupational outlooks are expected due to individuals taking on more pets in coming years. 

For more information on a career as a veterinarian, please visit the following sites:

• American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
• Associations of Veterinary Practice Management Consultants & Advisors
• National Association of Federal Veterinarians
• Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams
• World of Small Animal Veterinary Association

If you are searching for a veterinarian career, or are looking to hire veterinary professionals, please visit iHireVeterinary.  We are a niche job board focusing only in candidates and positions within the animal healthcare field.