Job Opportunities at Veterinary Clinics

Veterinary clinics offer many job opportunities.  Some, though not all, require a degree or certification.  Jobs of this type are best suited for people who love animals, do not fear them and who have a desire to diagnose and treat disease.

Veterinarians

A veterinarian protects the health and welfare of animals.  This career choice requires many years of education, a willingness to be on-call at all hours and, sometimes, making house calls.  A veterinarian requires the assistance of other individuals in maintaining a functional and smooth-operating veterinary clinic. A veterinarian must possess a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. This must be obtained from a four-year program offered at an accredited veterinarian school after having obtained a four-year undergraduate bachelor's degree.

Veterinary Technicians

A veterinary technician has been trained to assist the veterinarian in handling animals, providing proper care to the animals and in performing laboratory procedures.  The schooling requirement for a veterinary technician is a two-year program.  A four-year program is available for those who want to further their career as a veterinary technologist.

Veterinary Receptionists

A veterinary receptionist runs and organizes the front office.  This job requires skills in administration and communication.  Job duties may include answering phone calls and setting appointments, relaying important information from the client to the veterinarian, taking payments and mailing bills.  Receptionists may also be responsible for calling in prescription refills and discharging patients.  This job is a good stepping stone for someone who is determining whether the veterinary profession is right for him.