Clinical Veterinarians play a key role in the healthcare of various animals, including pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals, birds etc. Their primary duties include diagnosing injuries, infections, fractures and diseases of animals; dressing wounds; administering vaccinations and medications and performing surgeries. They also interact with animal owners and offer advice on treatments and feeding practices for animals. In addition, they use their knowledge and skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals. Some of these professionals conduct clinical research on both human and animal health problems.
Clinical Veterinarians are employed in various settings such as animal hospitals, animal care facilities, educational institutions, research facilities etc. They may practice in groups or solo. They often work long hours and take turns being on call for evening, night, or weekend hours according to their responsibilities.
Educational Requirements
To become a Clinical Veterinarian, the aspiring candidates must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree from a 4-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine. After earning their DVM, Clinical Veterinarians complete internships to obtain experience.
The syllabus in D.V.M. program includes animal nutrition, anatomy, pathology, parasitology, , embryology, vertebrates etc.
Certification and Licensure
Since a Clinical Veterinarian must be licensed in all 50 states of the USA, the candidates must have to complete a D.V.M and pass the North American Veterinary Board Examination, in order to earn a required license. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners offer certification to these professionals in an area of specialty, such as beef cattle, canines, avian, felines, equine exotic pets, etc.
Skill Set
Apart from the clinical knowledge, the aspiring candidates possess various skills such as ability to observe and make assessments from required demonstration; dexterity; high level of stamina to stand for long periods of time; pleasant communications and interpersonal skills; basic computer knowledge, etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Clinical Veterinarian remains excellent across the USA. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 12% during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of a Clinical Veterinarian was $ 86,640 in 2012.