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What does an Associate Veterinarian do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

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

Related: Top Associate Veterinarian Skills: Definition and Examples

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.

Related: Associate Veterinarian Resume Example

Related: Associate Veterinarian Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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