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Careers in Health Care : Veterinarian - A Good Career Choice for Animal Lovers

Overview: A Career as a Veterinarian

People who love animals of any kind may find being a Veterinarian is an extremely rewarding career choice. Veterinarians are animal doctors, caring for the health of domestic pets (generally small animal veterinarians), as well as livestock and farm animals (generally large animal vets). Some veterinarians treat animals in zoos and laboratories, and others work at racetracks. Research veterinary science specializes in the prevention of human and animal disease, both in a clinical and a laboratory setting.

About 75% of veterinarians are in private practice, treating pets and livestock for animal health problems, diagnosing diseases, vaccinating for rabies and distemper, prescribe antibiotics for infections and illness, treat broken bones, perform surgery, and provide information and training to animal owners regarding the health of their pets. Veterinarians Directory

Some pet hospitals specialize in cats, with feline veterinary medical specialists treating Feline Aids (FIV), Leukemia Virus (FeLV), hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and obesity. Large animal vets usually have mobile practices offering on-site treatment for cattle, horses and other large animals. Veterinarians specializing in alternative veterinary medicine believe in a homeopathic, holistic approach which includes including nutrition, environment and love. Veterinary laboratories may offer routine electrolyte analysis as well as advanced hormone or serological quantitation, DNA and PCR testing.

Many websites of veterinarians and animal hospitals now include resources, vaccination schedules and spay and neuter information. Some veterinary clinics are also kennels providing pet boarding, bathing and trimming, under veterinary supervision. Kennels, Animal Boarding and Pet Services Directory

Some veterinary clinics offer advanced diagnostic procedures, therapy, surgical procedures and hospitalization. Larger veterinary care centers may have multiple vet specialists, offering many different diagnostic and therapeutic options including color flow Doppler echocardiography, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, endoscopy, blood pressure analysis, electrocardiography, radiography and oxygen therapy.

Employment:

There are about 65,000 veterinarians practicing in the U.S., and the projections for future job opportunities are excellent. Earnings range from about $45,000 up to $140,000 per year. Private practice vets are limited in earning power only by the size and location of their practice. The federal government employs about 1,400 veterinarians who earn about $85,000 per year. Veterinarian Jobs Veterinary Tech Jobs

Job Description:

The primary divisions within the practice of veterinary medicine are between small animals (pets or companion animals) and large animals. Small animal veterinarians may work in cities and suburban areas where population is high and many pet owners are located. Their jobs tend to be indoors and on a fixed schedule, although emergencies occur at all hours and some vets are on-call 24 hours per day. Large animal vets often work outdoors and in all kinds of weather, responding to animals' needs as they occur.

Other veterinarians work in food and animal inspection, such as livestock inspectors who work for government agencies such as the USDA, and who inspect cattle on farms and in feedlots, as well as testing and inspecting meat processing plants. Increasing numbers of veterinarians are employed along the national borders and points of entry, where they inspect imports and exports to prevent the international spread of disease to and from the U.S.

Education:

Veterinarians must hold a DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine) degree, and they must hold a valid state license. The American Veterinary Medical Association accredits the veterinary medicine program in 28 colleges and universities. There is a great deal of competition to enter veterinary school. The prerequisites to these veterinary programs vary a lot, and while some schools do require a bachelor's degree for entrance, others may specify 45 to 90 semester hours of undergraduate work. Undergraduate pre-veterinary courses should be strong in sciences such as chemistry, physics, biochem and biology. In addition there are a variety of pre-veterinary exams such as GRE, VCAT and MCAT. Some schools place strong emphasis on animal experience, such as previous employment as a veterinary tech, volunteer work at an animal shelter, or work with farm animals. Schools with Veterinary Medicine Programs and Majors

Licensing:

All states have licensing standards, and while they vary from state to state, all states do require a D.V.M. degree and passing North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Most states also have continuing education requirements.

Additional resources:

State Veterinary Medical Boards
American Veterinary Medical Association
State Veterinary License Lookup
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
State Veterinary Associations

Careers in Health Care : Counseling as a Career Choice

Overview: Counseling as a Career

Choosing counsling as a career allows you to work with people, and to help clients and their families with personal, family, educational, mental health, economic and work-related problems and issues in their lives. The duties of a counselor will vary according to specialty, location, industry and socioeconomic and demographic sector in which one works.

School counselors help with social and behavioral issues as well as academic counseling. Vocational or career counselors may help a client make career decisions or deal with workplace problems. Rehabilations counselors may help disabled or injured people join the work force, while mental health counselors and substance abuse counselors treat mental and emotional disorders. Marriage and family counselors give guidance to families to help resolve conflicts, strengthen personal relationships and lead more productive lives. Family Counselors Directory

Employment:

Employment opportunities for counselors are excellent. Not only is the field growing much more rapidly than the average, but the graduates from counseling programs are projected to fall short of the number of job openings. About 700,000 counselors are working nationwide, approximately 1/3 as educational, vocational and school counselors; anotyher 1/3 in rehabilatition and mental health; and the remainder specializing in substance abuse, marriage and family and other specialties. Earnings range from about $27,000 to $75,000 per year, with school counselors being among the higher paid specialties, and vocational rehabilitation and family services counselors earning less.

Job Description:

Elementary school counselors primarily watch children during the school day and observer behavioral patterns, then counsel and confer with parents and teachers. High school counselors are more concerned with academic and vocational issues, counseling students with regards to college placement and curriculum options. Rehabilitation counselors work with patients and clients who suffer from birth defects, illness and accidents, arranging for vocational training and occupational therapy. Mental health counselors are trainied in different therapeutic methods to treat such problems as depression, stress, suicidal tendencies, grief and self-esteem. Substance abuse counselors treat alcoholism, drug addiction and gambling disorders. Marriage and family therapists help families with emotional problems and crises. The work environment depends on the specialty, though generally the work is office-based and students, clients and patients visit the counselor on a schedule.

Education and Licensing:

Educational and licensing requirements vary greatly by specialty and by location. Licensing generally requires a master's degree, although some states will accept a bachelor's degree with additional training courses. Additional requirements may be 2 years experience, state licensing examination, and continuing education. Some depth of research is needed, as the requirements are so varied. Psychology Programs Rehabilitation Counseling Programs State Counselor Boards