Veterinary Surgeons are superheroes who know what ails an animal, usually without being told and use their exceptional surgical skills to make the world a better place, one where animals with complex medical conditions receive due care and love.

Veterinary Surgeons typically work indoors in sanitised surroundings with occasional trips to customers’ homes, laboratories and classrooms or outdoor locations such as zoos and farms. Your work settings may range from small, individual practices run by one or two vets to spacious, well-equipped animal centres.

Program de lucru

Veterinary Surgeons typically work full-time on a rota system with other team members to provide round-the-clock service. To this end, most work more than forty hours per week, including evenings and weekends in case of on-call or emergency duties.

Despre angajatori

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Veterinary Surgeons can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Self-employment, freelancing and locum tenens are viable options.

Veterinary Surgeons are generally employed by:

• Mixed Veterinary Practices

• Specialist Veterinary Services

• Zoos

• Animal Hospitals

• Animal Charities & Welfare Societies

• Government Agencies

• Educational & Research Institutions

• Pharmaceutical Companies

• Social Advocacy Groups

Sindicalizare

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Veterinary Surgeons can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Self-employment, freelancing and locum tenens are viable options.

Veterinary Surgeons are generally employed by:

• Mixed Veterinary Practices

• Specialist Veterinary Services

• Zoos

• Animal Hospitals

• Animal Charities & Welfare Societies

• Government Agencies

• Educational & Research Institutions

• Pharmaceutical Companies

• Social Advocacy Groups

Provocari intalnite

• High probability of injury from working with frightened and emotionally abused animals

• Emotional stress from close contact with animals and animal owners/caretakers in distress

• Exposure to infectious diseases

• Physically-demanding nature of the work

• Long and unreliable working hours

Cele mai importante

De preferat si urmatoarele

Vet schools require applicants to be well-equipped to address the social aspects of the practice and the medical. Volunteer or work part-time with local veterinary practices, farms/stables, kennels/catteries, animal boarding/rescue & adoption centres and charities to complete the stipulated duration of hands-on practical experience.

Further, this field is highly competitive, and any relevant work experience will only tip the scales in your favour when applying for lucrative employment. Typically, your final year at university includes clinical rotation in various animal healthcare centre departments that appeal to prospective employers.

Some veterinarians offer pre-vet students internships or a chance to interview/job shadow them. Such experience, when coupled with your insightful reading about the profession, will further help prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Explore your university’s medicine-related clubs and societies. Join animal welfare clubs in high school and college/university to build your technical understanding and social conscience while bolstering your resume when you apply to vet school.

Veterinary Surgeons require a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) degree from an accredited college. These programs generally take four to six years to complete and include classroom, laboratory and clinical components.

Courses cover disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment, animal anatomy/physiology, advanced life sciences, pharmacology, practice management, communication, and medical laws & ethics. Comparable to a human medical school in most ways, veterinary medical schools differ in the knowledge about various species that they impart to the students.

Some education providers ask for a bachelor’s degree in biology or animal science, while others may require exceptional grades in biology, physics, chemistry and math at the high school level. Yet others may accept applicants with relevant vocational qualifications such as a BTEC Diploma in Animal Science with distinction. Entry requirements vary across locations; check with individual institutes for specific details.

Take classes in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics in high school and college to enter a prestigious veterinary school of your choice.

Certificari & Diplome

DVMs and VMDs take a certification exam to become board-certified Veterinary Surgeons. Those who wish to open their own practice in future would benefit from accredited certification in business management and customer service skills.

License to practice is mandatory; board certification is usually the only prerequisite to acquire licensure. You will need to apply for and pass a licensing exam every time you move across locations.

Typically, board certification and licensure require an application, processing fees, an examination in addition to relevant education and experience.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Veterinary Surgeons. They typically begin working as assistants or junior veterinary surgeons in a practice, hospital or clinic. You can become a Partner or Principal in the practice, although such opportunities are rare nowadays with large companies taking over veterinary practices. Applying to alternative practices, hospitals, clinics, and organisations is a viable possibility.

Some opt to switch from private practice to working in animal welfare societies which afford more hands-on experience and increased job satisfaction. Others move into government service and undertake activities such as licensing veterinary medicines. With advanced degrees under your belt, you could also become a Recognised Specialist who offers consultation.

Research in animal disease control/food safety and teaching offers excellent career prospects in universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies once you acquire the requisite higher educational qualifications.

Perspective de viitor

Candidates with a veterinary science degree from a prestigious institution and work experience have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Veterinary Surgeon build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning.

15 to 35 hours of continuing education every calendar year allows you to maintain licensure and upskill your knowledge of animal welfare regardless of your age, job, or level of expertise.

A diploma or working in alternative practices, hospitals and clinics will help broaden

your knowledge or specialise in a particular area of veterinary surgery such as small animal surgery, dermatology or equine surgery.

You may also complete masters and PhD degrees to be eligible to teach and research at universities, pharmaceutical companies and more.

The Evolution of Veterinary Science

Veterinary science as a formal field began in the late 18th century with its sustained focus on horses which were essential to a nation’s army. It was not long before the members of this profession began to include cattle and other livestock and dogs and other companion and exotic animals in the list of potential patients.

Veterinary Surgery 101

Surgery performed on animals falls into three main categories: orthopaedics (bones, joints and muscles), soft tissue surgery (skin, body cavities and cardiovascular system) and neurosurgery.

Veterinary Surgeons are also trained to perform advanced surgeries such as joint replacement, fracture repair, oncologic surgery, herniated disc treatment, complicated wound management, skin grafts, minimally invasive procedures and more.

Locum Tenens

Locum tenens (literally “place holder”) is an alternative to more permanent employment. Locum tenens positions are temporary (up to a year) offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need. The compensation rate is generally higher than what the permanent position would suggest. Locum tenens allows the Veterinary Surgeon to gauge a specific type of practice or location without committing to long-term employment.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Veterinary Surgeons have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time Veterinary Surgeon has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Veterinary Surgeons lend a voice and a helping hand to all animals on this planet that deserve a fighting chance to continue to live a life of comfort and security just as their human counterparts do.

Sfat?

While performing surgeries and treating animals, look into their eyes and understand their pain and fear. While focussing on building your ethics and technical competence, do not let go of your empathy because animals have feelings and emotions, just like humans.