Description
Diagnose and surgically treat diseases and injuries of animals, leading all phases of perioperative care in clinics or referral hospitals. May perform advanced and minimally invasive procedures, collaborate on diagnostics, conduct surgical research, and counsel clients on options and outcomes.
- • Conduct preoperative examinations and case workups to determine surgical candidacy.
- • Formulate surgical plans and obtain informed consent from clients.
- • Administer or oversee anesthesia and multimodal analgesia.
- • Perform soft-tissue, orthopedic, neurologic, and oncologic surgeries.
- • Perform minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy or arthroscopy.
- • Manage emergency and trauma surgeries.
- • Use and interpret imaging (radiography, ultrasound, CT/MRI) for surgical planning.
- • Maintain aseptic technique; prepare, drape, and position patients.
- • Monitor patients intraoperatively and address complications.
- • Provide postoperative care, pain control, and recovery monitoring.
- • Manage wounds, fractures, and joint injuries with appropriate fixation or reconstruction.
- • Place and manage drains, catheters, and feeding tubes.
- • Collect and submit samples for histopathology, cytology, or culture.
- • Educate clients on surgical options, risks, aftercare, and prognosis.
- • Collaborate with internal medicine, radiology, anesthesia, and rehabilitation teams.
- • Train and supervise surgical nurses, technicians, interns, or residents.
- • Ensure sterilization, instrument maintenance, and operating room readiness.
- • Develop and enforce perioperative protocols and antibiotic stewardship.
- • Maintain medical records, estimates, consent forms, and discharge instructions.
- • Participate in morbidity and mortality reviews, research, and continuing education.
- • Provide humane euthanasia and support clients when surgery is not indicated.
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Agriculture
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
