Description
Diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries in animals as a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). Provide clinical care, surgery, and preventive medicine; advise clients; uphold animal welfare and public health; and may conduct research, regulatory inspections, or practice management.
- • Examine animals and obtain histories to diagnose illnesses or injuries.
- • Prescribe medications; set fractures; suture and dress wounds; and perform surgery.
- • Administer vaccinations and preventive care, including parasite control.
- • Collect and analyze blood, urine, feces, and tissue samples.
- • Operate and interpret radiography, ultrasound, or other diagnostic imaging.
- • Educate clients and communities about zoonotic diseases and preventive measures.
- • Supervise, train, and direct veterinary technicians and support staff.
- • Provide care across species or practice in a chosen specialty (e.g., surgery, dentistry, internal medicine).
- • Perform humane euthanasia and provide end-of-life counseling.
- • Implement quarantine, biosecurity, and testing protocols in compliance with regulations.
- • Conduct necropsies to determine causes of death and document findings.
- • Manage or contribute to the daily operations of clinics, hospitals, or mobile services.
- • Develop and implement nutrition, wellness, and reproduction programs.
- • Inspect livestock or poultry for communicable diseases and certify health status.
- • Research animal diseases and emerging health threats.
- • Evaluate drugs, vaccines, or procedures for safety and efficacy under approved protocols.
- • Advise owners on sanitation, feeding, behavior, and treatment options.
- • Maintain complete medical records and ensure legal and ethical compliance.
- • Participate in continuing education to maintain professional competence and licensure.
- • Perform administrative tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, inventory, and client billing.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
