What does an Associate Veterinarian do?

An Associate Veterinarian is a licensed professional who diagnoses and treats medical conditions and diseases of animals.

Associate Veterinarian job duties include:

Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries
Prescribe and administer medications, vaccinations, serums, and other treatments
Perform surgeries on animals, as necessary
Advise animal owners on proper nutrition, exercise, and general care
Keep records of animal health and treatments
Work with animal breeders to select and mate healthy animals
Inspect food and water supplies to ensure they meet safety standards
Investigate reports of neglected or abused animals
Euthanize animals when necessary

Associate Veterinarian Job Requirements

An Associate Veterinarian typically needs a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited veterinary school, as well as a state license. Many states require continuing education for veterinarians to maintain their licenses. Some Associate Veterinarians may choose to specialize in a certain area of veterinary medicine, such as surgery or dentistry. In addition to formal education and licensing, most employers also require some level of experience.

Associate Veterinarian Skills

Excellent communication skills
Able to work well under pressure
Good organizational skills
Able to multitask
Detail oriented
Problem solving skills
Good people skills
Compassionate
Patient
Love of animals
Strong stomach

How to become an Associate Veterinarian

There are many ways to become an Associate Veterinarian. The most common way is to have a degree in Veterinary Medicine from an accredited college of veterinary medicine, and then to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). After passing the NAVLE, one must then complete a one-year clinical internship at a veterinary hospital. Once the internship is completed, the individual can then take the state licensing examination in order to become licensed to practice veterinary medicine.