Vet Jobs And Functions
What is a Veterinarian?
A professional who practices veterinary medicine by treating disease, disorder, and injury in animals.
What does a vet do?
The main task of a most veterinarian is to examine animals to detect and determine their health status as well as diagnose any injuries or illnesses they may be afflicted with. The veterinarian must then be capable of providing the proper treatment, advice, and/or prescriptions to treat whatever may be ailing the sick animal. If a veterinarian is unable to treat the animal himself or herself, then he or she must be able to refer the pet's owner to a specialist who can treat the animal. In addition to treating the animal, a veterinarian must be able to professionally interact with the pet's owner(s). He or she must be able to counsel pet owners regarding the best form of treatment, as well as provide calm assistance during difficult times for a family who may have to euthanize their pet.
The work of a veterinarian is both physically and mentally demanding. The veterinarian must be capable of standing on his or her feet for long periods of time, and should be able to lift heavy patients and equipment. The work also requires the constant use of one's mental abilities. A veterinarian must always be ready to diagnose any illness or injury, as well as be able to identify the best form of treatment for both the patient and the family. A veterinarian typically works indoors in a veterinary hospital or clinic. He or she must be able to work well with many other people, including nurses, assistants, and veterinary technicians. Extensive education is required to become a veterinarian, including high school, college, and postgraduate training.
Veterinarian Tasks
How much does a vet make?
With an average salary of $96,140 in 2013, veterinarians earned a healthy take-home pay for health care jobs. While they earned less than physicians ($188,440), they made about three times the pay of veterinary technologists ($31,760) in 2013. They made about the same average salary as physician assistants ($94,530).
A professional who practices veterinary medicine by treating disease, disorder, and injury in animals.
What does a vet do?
The main task of a most veterinarian is to examine animals to detect and determine their health status as well as diagnose any injuries or illnesses they may be afflicted with. The veterinarian must then be capable of providing the proper treatment, advice, and/or prescriptions to treat whatever may be ailing the sick animal. If a veterinarian is unable to treat the animal himself or herself, then he or she must be able to refer the pet's owner to a specialist who can treat the animal. In addition to treating the animal, a veterinarian must be able to professionally interact with the pet's owner(s). He or she must be able to counsel pet owners regarding the best form of treatment, as well as provide calm assistance during difficult times for a family who may have to euthanize their pet.
The work of a veterinarian is both physically and mentally demanding. The veterinarian must be capable of standing on his or her feet for long periods of time, and should be able to lift heavy patients and equipment. The work also requires the constant use of one's mental abilities. A veterinarian must always be ready to diagnose any illness or injury, as well as be able to identify the best form of treatment for both the patient and the family. A veterinarian typically works indoors in a veterinary hospital or clinic. He or she must be able to work well with many other people, including nurses, assistants, and veterinary technicians. Extensive education is required to become a veterinarian, including high school, college, and postgraduate training.
Veterinarian Tasks
- Administer vaccinations and collect samples for testing for pathogens or diseases.
- Provide immediate treatment and care including diagnosis, prescriptions, and/or advice and behavior changes.
- Examine animals to detect and determine health, injury, or illnesses.
- Counsel pet owners around treatment and diagnosis, and perform euthanization when required.
How much does a vet make?
With an average salary of $96,140 in 2013, veterinarians earned a healthy take-home pay for health care jobs. While they earned less than physicians ($188,440), they made about three times the pay of veterinary technologists ($31,760) in 2013. They made about the same average salary as physician assistants ($94,530).
Vet Assistance
The veterinary assistant primarily assists veterinarians in a practice with animal care. Often, it involves working side by side with the veterinarian to administer vaccinations, draw blood for testing, or otherwise generally assist in examinations and care. In certain situations, they are called upon to assist the veterinarian in surgical procedures as well.
The veterinary assistant may have office duties as well in some practices. They may help with scheduling appointments, work as a liaison with pet owners, and help maintain a clean, healthy waiting area and examination environment. Thus, depending on the situation, an assistant may need at least some familiarity with office functions such as word processing and file management.
Where allowed by licensing requirements, the assistant also typically has supervisory responsibilities for animals left in the care of the veterinary practice. They handle proper feeding and water schedules, and they must keep such areas clean and sanitary, working to assist housebroken animals in elimination and other hands-on needs.
One of the main requirements for the veterinary assistant position is a love for and comfort with animals and pets of all kinds. Additionally, being a veterinary assistant normally requires some form of technical or vocational training and certification. Normally, veterinary assistants work standard business hours, but, in certain practices, they may also be required to spend late nights or overnights at the clinic in the aforementioned supervisory role.
Veterinary Assistant Tasks
Vet Assistant Salary
Vet assistants earned an average annual wage of $24,430, or $11.75 an hour. The top 10 percent could earn $34,970 or more annually, the equivalent of $16.81 an hour, while the bottom 10 percent could earn $16,970 or less, the equivalent of $8.16 an hour.
Education
Required Education Associate's degree in veterinary technology Certification and Licensing Varies by state, but many require technicians to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination
The veterinary assistant may have office duties as well in some practices. They may help with scheduling appointments, work as a liaison with pet owners, and help maintain a clean, healthy waiting area and examination environment. Thus, depending on the situation, an assistant may need at least some familiarity with office functions such as word processing and file management.
Where allowed by licensing requirements, the assistant also typically has supervisory responsibilities for animals left in the care of the veterinary practice. They handle proper feeding and water schedules, and they must keep such areas clean and sanitary, working to assist housebroken animals in elimination and other hands-on needs.
One of the main requirements for the veterinary assistant position is a love for and comfort with animals and pets of all kinds. Additionally, being a veterinary assistant normally requires some form of technical or vocational training and certification. Normally, veterinary assistants work standard business hours, but, in certain practices, they may also be required to spend late nights or overnights at the clinic in the aforementioned supervisory role.
Veterinary Assistant Tasks
- Maintain animals, including feeding, cleaning, administering drugs and documenting care.
- Support examinations by obtaining data and ensuring a safe environment.
- Inventory equipment and medications to determine ordering needs and availability.
- Interact with animals, staff and owners to determine care plans move animals to designated locations.
- Train owners in drug administration, preventative maintenance and post-procedure care.
Vet Assistant Salary
Vet assistants earned an average annual wage of $24,430, or $11.75 an hour. The top 10 percent could earn $34,970 or more annually, the equivalent of $16.81 an hour, while the bottom 10 percent could earn $16,970 or less, the equivalent of $8.16 an hour.
Education
Required Education Associate's degree in veterinary technology Certification and Licensing Varies by state, but many require technicians to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination
