Veterinarian Job Description Information

Of all the careers available, veterinarian is one of the most rewarding, variable and exciting available. Unlike doctors for people, veterinarians must be able to care for a variety of species from fish to birds and mammals to amphibians. The specialties available to veterinarians are also variable, so each veterinarian will be required to handle different tasks. Although each veterinarian's job description will vary, there are a few basic tasks that all veterinarians are responsible for performing.

 

Surgery

• Veterinarians are required to perform surgical procedures all different types of animals. Many veterinarians act as their own anesthesiologist during these procedures. Depending on the veterinarian's specialty, the procedures may differ significantly.

Diagnosis

• Veterinarians must diagnosis a variety of illnesses and diseases for many different types of animals. They must be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of these illnesses and diseases.

Prescribing Medications

• Veterinarians must prescribe medications to animals. They must know the dosages, side effects and length of time to prescribe the medications.

Dental Care

• Veterinarians must provide animals with dental care. They must be able to provide preventative dental care as well. Veterinarians must understand that poor dental care can lead to many other serious health issues and problems.

Educating Clients

• Veterinarians must educate their clients. Veterinarians must be able to explain complicated procedures in simple terms. They should be able to train their clients to be responsible animal caregivers.

Business Management

• Veterinarians who own their own practice must be able to run a business. They need to understand marketing, sales, management of employees and client relations. They should have a basic understanding of business laws.

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Veterinarian Salary Information

The salaries earned by veterinarians are as wide-ranging as the type of work they do. Generally, veterinarians provide health care to animals, diagnosing and treating diseases. They work with dogs, cats, exotic pets, zoo animals and livestock. Veterinarians may do very specific work, like research, technical writing or consultation. Veterinarians can provide technical services to commercial companies, testing or selling products.

 

Type

• There are many types of veterinarians, just like there are many types of doctors. The average salary of a veterinarian depends upon the work they do. Some veterinarians take care of farm animals and some study disease transmission by insects. Veterinarians can specialize in surgery, pharmacology, research or care of family pets. Because the field of veterinary medicine is so varied, it is difficult to cite an average salary for a "typical" veterinarian.

Experience

• The amount of career experience of a veterinarian has a great impact on their annual salary. Veterinarian salaries increase with the number of years practicing and it is a stable career choice with many possibilities to advance. The average salary for a veterinarian, considering data from across specialties and experience levels, is $75,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Beginning veterinarians earn between $25,000 to $35,000 annually. Six to 10 years of experience raises the annual salary to the $75,000 range.

Location

• Annual earnings for veterinarians varies across the U.S. On either coast, salaries are generally high. Veterinarians in New York City earn the highest annual salaries. Rural veterinarians practicing in livestock-raising regions also earn substantial salaries.

Employer

• Veterinarians working for veterinary care franchises are generally the lowest paid, earning about $30,000 a year. This salary range is comparable to the salary earned by veterinarians working at a university or college. The highest-paid veterinarians are generally self-employed, with salaries exceeding $100,000 annually.

Considerations

• Veterinarians have the potential to earn substantial salaries, but the investment in a veterinary medicine education is also substantial. Veterinarians must earn an undergraduate degree, then graduate from a four-year program to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, or DVM. Many new veterinarians work as low-paid interns for at least one year. If a veterinarian intends on specializing, they must complete three to four years of residency training.

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How to Become a Veterinarian

Most veterinarians take care of beloved family pets, but the responsibilities of other vets can range from researching animal and human diseases to treating farm and ranch livestock. Competition for veterinary jobs is tight, so training and grades are of utmost importance.

1. Volunteer at a local veterinary office, SPCA, farm or animal hospital during high school to gain experience working with animals.
2. Attend college, perhaps in a preveterinary program if your school offers one; otherwise, consider biology, biochemistry or another science.
3. Find out which college courses are required by the American Veterinary Medical Association and by each veterinary school that interests you.
4. Maintain a very high grade point average in college. This is a must.
5. Find out which standardized tests are required by each veterinary school that interests you, since this varies from school to school.
6. Apply to any of the 27 accredited veterinary schools in the United States that offer the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree.
7. Graduate from veterinary school and take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam for your veterinary license.
8. Be prepared to take a state exam covering state laws and regulations.

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