Veterinarians

Average National Salaries (2020)

What does this career do?

Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal injuries, diseases and disorders, and advise on preventative action. They may work in practices, specialising according to their location in either a rural or urban area, or in the public sector or associated industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production or drug regulation.

Typical tasks

• examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests
• inoculates animals against communicable diseases
• administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery
• investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care
• euthanases old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals
• performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products
• performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations
• carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students
• maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation.

Current entry requirements

Entrants will require a university degree in veterinary science and registration as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Pre-entry experience in a veterinary practice may be required for entry to a university veterinary school.

Percentage in work

• Employed

• Unemployed

Due to insufficient sample sizes, some data was excised.

Predicted employment status in 2022

• Part-time

• Self Employed

• Full-time

Predicted employment levels in the East Midlands

Career related courses available at West Notts

• Animal Care - Entry Level 3
• Certificate or Diploma in Animal Care (Intermediate) - Level 2
• Chemistry A Level - Level 3
• Diploma/Extended Diploma in Animal Management (Advanced) - Level 3

About the statistics

Data is powered by LMI for All and is sourced from labour market statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Institute for Employment Research, the Department for Works and Pensions, and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.