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veterinary surgeon
Veterinary surgeons diagnose and treat sick and injured animals. Vets also help animals to stay healthy by carrying out regular checks, giving vaccinations and advising owners on care and diet.
Vets will normally work one of three types of employment:
- in general practice with domestic pets, farm animals and horses
- on part-time sub-contracts to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) or local authorities, inspecting hygiene and care standards in zoos, kennels, catteries, riding stables, pet shops and cattle markets
- full-time for DEFRA, in either the Veterinary Field Service (VFS) or Veterinary Investigation Centres (VICs), which involves control and eradication of animal diseases, and protecting public health interests.
Vets are the only people allowed by law to carry out advanced equine dentistry procedures, such as those which involve making incisions and using drugs. Less advanced procedures can be carried out by Equine Dental Technicians. For full information on the regulations relating to equine dentistry, and training for Equine Dental Technicians please see the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians and the 'Dental Technicians' section of the British Equine Veterinary Association website in Further Information below.
Hours and Environment
Practice-based vets work on a rota system to provide 24-hour cover, seven days a week.
They carry out most treatments in a surgery, but may also need to travel to treat large animals on farms or other establishments. A driving licence is usually needed.
Vets could work at any time of day or night, and in all weathers – often in unpleasant conditions.
Skills and Interests
To be a veterinary surgeon you should:
- have the commitment to undertake lengthy and continual training
- have a high level of scientific ability
- be prepared to work long and irregular hours
- care about the welfare of animals without being too sentimental
- be physically fit, manually dexterous and have good powers of observation
- be comfortable making difficult or unpopular decisions
- have an assertive nature to enforce public health and hygiene laws
- communicate with animal owners in a patient, sensitive and sympathetic way
- have the management and business skills to run a practice
- be IT literate.
Entry
To practise 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 veterinary degree from veterinary schools at one of the UK universities approved by RCVS or an equivalent overseas qualification recognised by RCVS. Full details can be found on the RCVS website - see Further Information below.
The degrees last for five years (six at Cambridge), and include both clinical and practical training.
To get onto a degree course you will need:
- five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English, maths, chemistry, biology and physics (or combined science, double award); and
- at least three A levels (AAB)/five Highers (AAABB), including chemistry and one or two from biology, physics or maths
Please check with universities for exact entry requirements.
You will also need some work experience in a veterinary practice and in handling healthy animals on livestock farms or other animal establishments.
If you have a first or upper second class honours degree in a science-related subject you may be exempt from part of the course, but could be charged fees at full cost.
Training
The first year or so after you qualify is known as the Professional Development Phase, during which you will be expected to develop your professional and clinical skills. The 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.
Please see the RCVS website for more information.
You could focus on treating particular animals or other specialisms such as dermatology or cardiology by taking RCVS-approved postgraduate qualifications. Please 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. Details are on the BEVA website. Please see Further Information for contact details.
Opportunities
There are about 9,000 practising vets registered in the UK. Over half work in general practice and are usually self-employed. Most start as assistants in private practices, are promoted to senior assistants in two to three years and later buy a share in the practice or set up on their own.
Outside general practice, there are opportunities in:
- local or central government
- industry
- research establishments
- education
- animal welfare organisations
- pet food and drug companies
- the armed forces
- zoos and wildlife parks
- organisations connected with agriculture.
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.
There may be opportunities in other countries, but professional requirements vary. Some vets work in developing countries with charities such as the International Development Administration (IDA) or the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
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.
Further information
31 Market St
Fordham
Ely
Cambridgeshire
CB7 5LQ
Tel: 01638 723555
Belgravia House 62-64 Horseferry Road London SW1P 2AF Tel: 020 7222 2001
http://www.rcvs.org.uk
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The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
Careers Database Information By Learn Direct Advice