Unusual Animal Careers
A Series about Careers with Animals

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Unusual Animal Careers Part Eleven
Veterinary Careers

Animal careers, animal schools, & animal courses are just a few topics you will find here. You can read about careers with animals, discover animal programs, and enroll in unique animal career seminars. This is part eleven in an unusual animal career series. You will learn about veterinary careers and similar animal jobs in this section.

The first parts of this series briefly discussed types of careers and which ones might be appropriate for you, how to begin researching those career options, and how to find specific information in the area of your interest to help you further clarify your goals and contacts. Now the series is discussing both domestic and exotic animal work and how to begin to get practical experience and prepare for that career. The next few articles will take a closer look at different roles and what kind of training or education is necessary for them.

To simplify some of this information it has been grouped by similar categories. Unique training for some areas not listed will be included in another section. If you see any additions to jobs and want to provide me with a description and the related educational aspects please contact me.

Certainly all of the options will not be here, but those that are can help you find related areas of interest or spark another thought to something similar. Since the career field is changing so fast, many new positions will crop up every year.

Veterinary Careers & Veterinary Jobs

Staff Veterinarian, Consulting Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician, Laboratory Manager, Medical Technologist, Nutritionist.

These can be as specialized as the type of animal you want to work with and the various different specialties such as genetics, reproductive, surgery, and a variety of others. Marine mammal specialists, exotic animal specialists, avian, herptiles, zoo or wildlife veterinarians, and consulting veterinarians are some of the different specialties.

There are many schools and professional organizations to seek guidance from. There are also related veterinary support roles such as animal health technicians, laboratory staff, pathologists, and many more. Again, you will have to determine what areas you enjoy or are interested in.

Diagnosis and treatment of health problems in exotic animals is a challenge. Often, the only sign that an animal may be ill or injured is a slight change in behavior. Veterinary staff members will use their experience and laboratory tests to diagnose and treat animals. Medical and surgical training is extremely helpful for all positions.

Veterinarian

Veterinarians and support staff will work closely with all animal related departments (curators, keepers, trainers, aquarium & water quality specialists, building & grounds, design & maintenance, etc.,) Learning how to react when treating an exotic animal's symptoms is critical. Also, knowing exactly when to act is something that comes with experience. People in these positions will usually create a preventative health care program that allows the animals to maintain good health.

The Veterinarian is responsible for all medical programs and procedures, which includes collecting blood and urine samples; conducting physical exams; treating injuries; and performing surgery and sonograms. The veterinarian makes rounds on a regular basis, and works with all animal staff members concerning the health of the animals. Facilities will often use other medical professionals and veterinary schools for consultation in specialized areas such as dentistry, orthopedics, cardiac specialists or pediatrics.

Veterinary students, in their last year, spend four to six weeks at a zoological park or oceanarium in an externship program. After veterinary school, graduates can often spend one to four years as an intern or two years in a residency position.

Veterinary Technician

This position serves as an assistant to the Veterinarian, the Vet Tech collects urine and stool samples, gives injections, and helps maintain accurate medical records, including any preventative health care measures and other logs. The technician also assists with surgeries and other extensive procedures.

Educational requirements for a Veterinary position are at least a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or a related field and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degree. The requirements for a Vet Tech are an Animal Health Technician certification from an American Veterinary Medical Association accredited institution, or a medical technology degree.

Other experience required from a Vet Tech is hands-on assisting a veterinarian and time spent working around and with animals of all types. Ill or injured animals are sometimes dangerous or difficult to handle, so good physical strength is required in these roles. The work often involves a lot exposure to blood, disease, and other pathogens.

Laboratory Manager

This position will often direct and conduct analyses on samples taken from the animals in and is responsible for collecting and reporting test results to other staff members. Checking tissue, blood, urine, and stool samples, allows the identification of any parasites and other abnormalities. In marine parks, water analysis is an important duty of this position. Other job roles required from this position are to prepare for and assist with surgical, radiology, medical procedures, and necropsies. Additional functions include overseeing the allocation and distribution of vitamins, drugs, and other supplies, keeping the inventory of laboratory, pharmacy, surgical, medical, and necropsy supplies and equipment.

Educational requirements are a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences and Certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as a registered Medical Technologist. Experience requirements are usually about five years clinical laboratory experience and five years supervisory experience.

Medical Technologist

This position will run tests on blood, stool, urine, and tissue, and analyze bacterial counts, look for the presence of parasites, and diagnose other abnormalities. After testing this position will document and log data, and create reports. A Med Tech is often responsible for maintaining the laboratory, pharmacy, and all surgical, radiographic, medical, and necropsy supplies and equipment. They assist in the dispensing of vitamins, drugs, and other supplies and with surgical, radiographic, medical, and necropsy procedures.

Educational requirements are an Associates degree in a related field and Certification from the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as a registered Medical Technologist or an Animal Health Technician Certification. Previous experience in a veterinary clinic is helpful.

Geneticist

Animal conservation and breeding have changed over the years and now require specialist in many of the critical roles related to breeding. Genetic specialists are familiar with DNA and determining how closely individual animals are related, they are involved with breeding programs and the Species Survival Plan (SSP). Related tasks involve proposing and conducting research projects involving endangered species management programs in both in captive situations and in the wild.

A background in molecular biology and genetics is required. Minimum education is a Master's degree in that particular area.
Practical experience in genetic research is a plus. Other functions of this position include massive amounts of reading to keep up with technology changes, and research findings of others. People in this type of position are often required to seek research funds by writing grants, papers, and other activities.

Nutritionist

This is another fairly recent role found in captive collections. Dietary balance and composition is an art in itself. Many animals have specialized needs which are just being found. Prepared or natural diets vary drastically and the psychological occupation that comes from providing a good variety and activity can make an animal more stable.

Educational requirements are at least a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or nutrition but most often a Doctorate in Veterinary Medical Science with a specialty in nutrition is ideal. Unusual Animal Careers Part Twelve: Animal Keeper & Specialist Caretaker Roles

About this animal career specialist: Since 1978 Diana L. Guerrero has worked professionally with both wild and domestic animals. Guerrero has been affiliated with, and certified by, a variety of animal programs in the USA and Europe. Based in California, she writes, consults, and speaks. Information on her animal career programs, training courses, and her books {What Animals Can Teach Us about Spirituality (SkyLight Paths, 2003), Blessing of the Animals (Sterling, 2007), Help! My Pet is Driving Me Crazy (Guerrero Ink, 2007), Animal Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners & Pet Professionals (Guerrero Ink, 2007)} can be found in this web site and in the shop. Questions for Guerrero should be submitted via the blog comments or membership forum.