Occupation Details
Veterinarians
Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$78,570.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$128,500.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$160,500.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
4,230
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
5,080
+85 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
231
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Veterinarian
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Ambu bags
- Angiography catheters
- Animal catching poles
- Animal electrocardiograph ECG units
- Animal snares
- Arterial line catheters
- Arthroscopic surgical equipment
- Aspiration catheters
- Automated chemistry analyzers
- Automated microbial identification systems
- Avian restrainers
- Bandage scissors
- Barcode scanners
- Battery-operated orthopedic drills
- Benchtop centrifuges
- Biopsy punches
- Blood collection syringes
- Blood gas analyzers
- Bone chisels
- Bone clamps
- Bone curettes
- Bone cutting forceps
- Bone holding forceps
- Bone marrow aspirators
- Bone rasps
- Bone ronguers
- Capture rifles
- Cardiac monitors
- Cast cutting saws
- Castrating knives
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX Cornerstone
- IDEXX Laboratories IDEXX VPM
- IntraVet
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Vetport
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- prepare patient reports
- prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices or other forms of treatment
- advise animal owners regarding treatment of animals
- apply traction
- teach food or nutrition principles
- communicate technical information
- make presentations on health or medical issues
- administer anesthetics
- administer injections
- administer medications or treatments
- diagnose spinal misalignments
- draw blood
- perform animal euthanasia
- perform minor surgery
- conduct medical tests
- position patient for therapy
- treat medical condition of patient
- diagnose medical condition of patient
- examine animals to detect illness, disease, or injury
- calculate medical dosages
- analyze medical data
- analyze patient activity
- observe patient condition
- interpret medical laboratory test results
- understand properties or composition of drugs
- identify livestock characteristics
- recognize disease or parasites in animals
- understand animal habits or needs
- identify animal species
- use clinical problem solving techniques
- follow infectious materials procedures
- use medical diagnostic techniques
- follow patient care procedures
- use research methodology procedures in health care
- use sanitation practices in health care settings
- use knowledge of medical terminology
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- follow surgical procedures
- use animal disease control techniques
- obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
- make decisions
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
- Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
- Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
- Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
- Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
- Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
- Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.
- Specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine.
- Direct the overall operations of animal hospitals, clinics, or mobile services to farms.
- Advise animal owners regarding sanitary measures, feeding, general care, medical conditions, or treatment options.
- Euthanize animals.
- Attend lectures, conferences, or continuing education courses.
- Inspect and test horses, sheep, poultry, or other animals to detect the presence of communicable diseases.
- Train or supervise workers who handle or care for animals.
- Establish or conduct quarantine or testing procedures that prevent the spread of diseases to other animals or to humans and that comply with applicable government regulations.
- Research diseases to which animals could be susceptible.
- Provide care to a wide range of animals or specialize in a particular species, such as horses or exotic birds.
- Determine the effects of drug therapies, antibiotics, or new surgical techniques by testing them on animals.
- Perform administrative or business management tasks, such as scheduling appointments, accepting payments from clients, budgeting, or maintaining business records.
- Inspect animal housing facilities to determine their cleanliness and adequacy.
- Plan or execute animal nutrition or reproduction programs.
- Drive mobile clinic vans to farms so that health problems can be treated or prevented.
- Conduct postmortem studies and analyses to determine the causes of animals' deaths.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Cornell University Summer College Program: Veterinary Medicine
<p>This program, offered at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, will help you gain realistic and exciting insights into modern veterinary medicine. Explore the variety of disciplines and specialties within the field of veterinary medicine, including zoo animal medicine, marine mammal medicine, animal behavior, anatomy of domestic species, emergency medicine, pathology, and more.</p>
Learn MoreSUNY New Paltz Summer Camp: Mad Science Anatomy Academy
Mad Science has sparked imaginative learning with their unique brand of engaging and educational live programs and activities. Anatomy Academy, the science of the human body, includes but is not limited to, the science of all things gross!
Learn MoreVeterinarians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More