Veterinary Surgeon
What is the work like?
Veterinary surgeons (usually known as vets) look after the health and welfare of animals. Most work in general practice, with domestic pets, farm and zoo animals.
As a vet in general practice you would:
- diagnose and treat sick and injured animals
- help animals to stay healthy by doing regular health checks, giving vaccinations and advising owners on care and diet
- operate on ill or injured animals
- carry out x-rays, laboratory tests and ultrasound scans
- provide on-going care for in-patients
- check farm animals and advise on how to stop diseases spreading
- neuter animals to stop them breeding
- carry out euthanasia of terminally ill, severely injured or unwanted animals
- supervise veterinary nurses and support staff
- keep records of the treatments you carry out.
You could also be involved in inspecting hygiene and care standards in zoos, kennels, catteries, riding stables, pet shops and cattle markets.
Some vets work full-time work for DEFRA, in either the Veterinary Field Service (VFS) or Veterinary Investigation Centres (VICs), which involves helping to control animal diseases and protect public health interests.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To work as a vet you must be registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the UK regulatory body for the profession.
To register you must have a degree from veterinary schools at one of the UK universities approved by RCVS, or an equivalent overseas qualification recognised by RCVS. Visit the RCVS website for details of approved courses.
Your degree would last for five years (six at Cambridge), and include both clinical and practical training.
To get onto a degree course you would need:
- five GCSEs (A-C) including English, maths, chemistry, biology and physics (or combined science, double award); and
- at least three A levels (AAB) including chemistry and one or two from biology, physics or maths
Check with universities for exact entry requirements.
If you have a first or upper second class honours degree in a science-related subject you may be exempt from part of the veterinary degree course.
You would also need some work experience in a veterinary practice, and in handling healthy animals on livestock farms or other animal establishments.
You would usually need a driving licence.
What further training and development can I do?
The first year after you qualify as a vet is known as the Professional Development Phase, during which you will be expected to develop your professional and clinical skills. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has developed a set of Year One Competences so that you can structure and record your development.
After this stage you will be expected to continue to keep your knowledge and skills up to date by continuing professional development (CPD). This could include:
- attending courses and seminars arranged by universities, veterinary associations and commercial training providers
- taking part in informal networks of colleagues (sometimes known as 'learning sets')
- in-house training
- secondment or mentoring arrangements
- distance learning involving on line tutors and study groups
- private self-directed learning such as keeping up to date with veterinary journals
- working towards further qualifications such as RCVS certificates and diplomas and university postgraduate degrees.
You could focus on treating particular animals, or specialise in areas such as dermatology or cardiology, by taking RCVS-approved postgraduate qualifications. See the RCVS website for details.
If you work with horses you can join the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), which offers a range of one/two day CPD courses and workshops, meetings and networking opportunities. Visit the BEVA website for details.
Where can I go for more information?
Belgravia House62-64 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 2AF
Tel: 020 7222 2001
31 Market St
Fordham
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 5LQ
Tel: 01638 723555
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Newly qualified veterinary surgeons can earn around £30,000 a year.
- Experienced veterinary surgeons can earn around £48,000.
- Senior partners may earn over £50,000 depending on the size of their practice.
Employers often provide accommodation and transport.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
As a practice-based vet you would work on a rota system to provide 24-hour cover, seven days a week.
You would carry out most treatments in a surgery, but may also need to travel to treat large animals on farms or other establishments. You could work at any time of day or night, and in all weathers – often in unpleasant conditions.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- commitment to doing lengthy and continuing training
- a high level of scientific ability
- willingness to work long and irregular hours
- an interest in the welfare of animals without being too sentimental
- physical fitness, manual dexterity and good powers of observation
- the ability to make difficult or unpopular decisions
- an assertive nature to enforce public health and hygiene laws
- a patient, sensitive and sympathetic approach with animal owners
- the management and business skills to run a practice.
What opportunities are there?
The majority of registered vets in the UK work in general practice and are usually self-employed. You are likely to start as an assistant in a private practice, be promoted to senior assistant in two to three years and later buy a share in the practice or set up on your own.
There are increasing opportunities for work in public health.
As a RCVS-registered vet you will be able to practise elsewhere in the European Union.
You may find opportunities in other countries, but professional requirements vary. You may be able to work in developing countries with charities such as the International Development Administration (IDA) or the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
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