General Veterinarian Health Professionals
SaveWhat Does a General Veterinarian Do?
General veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity, all aspects of veterinary medicine, in the interest of the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. The generalist veterinarian can work with any species, however they may choose to work with a single species or types such as equine, companion or production animals.
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Zoonotic Diseases
Zoonoses are infectious diseases of animals that can naturally be transmitted to humans. They consist of a wide range of diseases and range from endemic zoonoses such as brucellosis, anthrax, bovine tuberculosis, parasitic diseases (hydatid disease, echinococcosis, trichinellosis) and rabies to emerging zoonoses, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, Nipah/Hendra disease and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
These are common skills for this role, based on a European framework. Requirements vary between jobs, including in the UK. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box - use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a General Veterinarian
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialZoonotic Diseases knowledge
Zoonoses are infectious diseases of animals that can naturally be transmitted to humans. They consist of a wide range of diseases and range from endemic zoonoses such as brucellosis, anthrax, …
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EssentialAnimal Welfare Legislation knowledge
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
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EssentialBiosecurity Related To Animals knowledge
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
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EssentialSafe Work Practices In A Veterinary Setting knowledge
Safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, …
Recommended Books
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EssentialAnimal Welfare knowledge
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit …
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EssentialEnvironmental Enrichment For Animals knowledge
Types, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, social and training …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSigns Of Animal Illness knowledge
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialVeterinary Clinical Sciences knowledge
Aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and disorders. This includes veterinary areas such as propaedeutics, clinical and anatomic pathology, microbiology, parasitology, clinical medicine and surgery (including …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnatomy Of Animals knowledge
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Behaviour knowledge
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Production Science knowledge
Animal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPhysiology Of Animals knowledge
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAnimal Food Products knowledge
The principles of traceability, hygiene and processes involved in the production, manufacture, storage and putting into circulation of animal feedstuffs, or foodstuffs of animal origin intended for human and/or animal …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialConduct Ante-mortem Veterinary Health Inspection knowledge
Perform clinical assessment and certification of the health status of food animals prior to slaughter.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialFundamental Veterinary Sciences knowledge
Veterinary anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology, pharmacy, toxicology, microbiology, immunology, epidemiology and professional ethics.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdvise On Animal Welfare skill
Prepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Safe Work Practices In A Veterinary Setting skill
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Animal Behaviour skill
Observe and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAssess Animal Nutrition skill
Assess the nutrition status of animals, diagnose dietary imbalances and prescribe correction.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialControl Animal Movement skill
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop An Animal Handling Strategy skill
Develop plans and strategies to deal with the animal in order to achieve established goals and optimal results.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Veterinary Emergencies skill
Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMaintain Veterinary Clinical Records skill
Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Animal Biosecurity skill
Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Animal Hygiene skill
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Animal Welfare skill
Plan, manage and evaluate the application of the five universally recognised animal welfare needs as appropriate to species, situation and own occupation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMonitor The Welfare Of Animals skill
Monitor animals' physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Animal Training skill
Provide training in basic handling, habituation, and obedience to enable the completion of day-to-day tasks while minimising the risks to the animal, the handler, and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide First Aid To Animals skill
Administer emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians prior to first-aid …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise On Livestock Disease Control skill
Advise livestock owners of economic aspects of disease eradication. Advise consumers of public health implications of diseases transmissible from animals to humans.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Veterinary Epidemiology skill
Analyse animal and zoonotic disease morbidity and mortality in a given population and relate findings to the norm. This includes collection and analysis of data and information for use in …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCarry Out Veterinary Professional Communication To The Public skill
Provide veterinary information and insight, in cooperation with public health officials, with regard to zoonotic and infectious diseases, as well as to general animal care and welfare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCertify The Performance Of Veterinary Procedures skill
Produce accurate descriptive certification of procedures carried out by a veterinarian.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCollect Samples From Animals For Diagnostic Purposes skill
Obtain specimens of an animal's body fluids, secretions, excretion or other tissues, in order to facilitate the diagnosis of health and disease.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConduct Veterinary Client Consultation skill
Conduct structured and empathetic communication with clients in order to ascertain or provide relevant clinical information concerning health status, treatment options or other ongoing care of the veterinary patient.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEvaluate Information In The Field Of Veterinary Nursing skill
Be able to read, understand and utilise the most current research available to justify decisions based on best practice.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialImplant Microchips In Animals skill
Implant microchips under the skin of animals.'
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInspect Animal Welfare Management skill
Monitor animal health and welfare management and husbandry, and analyse risk factors in relation to animal health, disease and welfare status.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIssue Certificates For Animal Products skill
Issue certificates related to animal health and welfare or to animal products, based on the necessary examination or testing, in accordance with the principles of certification agreed at European level.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Licensed Animal Medications skill
Prescribe and/or administer all kinds of medications, including fluid replacement therapy by all routes. This includes assessment of the safety and efficacy of a single medicine, and of combinations of …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Pain For Veterinary Patients skill
Select, administer and monitor analgesics in animals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage The Use Of Vaccines skill
Prescribe, administer and manage the use of vaccines, immune stimulants and suppressors and anti-sera.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Euthanasia On Animals skill
Kill painlessly an animal suffering from an incurable and painful disease.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Gross Post Mortem Examination On Animals skill
Perform gross examination of the animal corpse for the purpose of diagnosing the aetiology and pathophysiology of disease or death of animals and for the safety and quality of animal …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Laboratory Testing On Samples Of Animals skill
Conduct and interprete simple procedures in a veterinary practice laboratory on samples of an animal intended to detect, identify, or quantify disease agents, evaluate organ functions, or determine the nature …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Surgical Procedures On Animals skill
Apply operative manual and instrument specific techniques on an animal with the intention of modifying physiological status, and/or restoring normal organ or tissue function or structure.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Veterinary Diagnosis skill
Identify and determine the physiological status of animals and the nature and cause of diseases in animals through evaluation of patient history, clinical examination, and the selection, taking and reviewing …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPractise Veterinary Professional Codes Of Conduct skill
Adhere to veterinary professional codes of practice and legislation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrescribe Physical Therapy To Animals skill
Prescribe physical methods for therapy in animals, such as modification of exercise, massage, heat treatment, electrical and other wave based treatments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Anaesthetics To Animals skill
Select, administer, and monitor anaesthetics in animals in preparation for surgery.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Sedation To Animals skill
Select, administer and monitor sedatives dispensed to animals for a medical intervention.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSafely Interact With Animals skill
Ensure a safe and humane interaction with the animal avoiding factors that will negatively affect their behaviours. This includes the use of humane training aids/equipment, as well as explaining their …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSupervise Animal Handling For Veterinary Activities skill
Supervise the handling and restraint of animals in connection with veterinary examination or other procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 21 displayed)
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OptionalAdminister Appointments skill
Accept, schedule and cancel appointments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalApply Numeracy Skills skill
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCalculate Rates Per Hours skill
Make simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCollaborate With Animal Related Professionals skill
Collaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCope With Challenging Circumstances In The Veterinary Sector skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDeal With Challenging People skill
Work safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how to address …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Work Schedule skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalInterview Animal Owners On Animals' Conditions skill
Ask questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Relationship With Customers skill
Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMake Decisions Regarding The Animal's Welfare skill
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage A Small-to-medium Business skill
Manage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Personal Professional Development skill
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Mentorship skill
Guide and support less knowledgeable or less experienced colleagues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTake Advantage Of Learning Opportunities In Veterinary Science skill
Use different channels and learning styles such as journals, courses, and conferences to obtain new information, knowledge, skills, and know-how in relation to working with animals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUnderstand The Animal's Situation skill
Categorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCheck The Health Of Livestock skill
Perform routine visits to farms in order to check the health of livestock.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalImplement Veterinary Clinical Governance skill
Conduct self audit and peer group review processes in relation to professional standards in veterinary clinics.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Administrative Records In The Veterinary Office skill
Create and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Relationships With Animal Welfare Establishments skill
Ensure good relations with other animal welfare establishments and agencies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPlan Schedule skill
Develop the schedule including procedures, appointments and working hours.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalSupervise Nursing Staff skill
Supervise nurses, trainees, healthcare assistants, support workers, and/or students by providing practical and theoretical training, mentoring, and support, as required.
Course recommendations coming soon.