Veterinary Surgeon and Course Lecturer

Key skills/talents

• THOROUGH knowledge of medicine and anatomy/animal biology: Vets must possess a deep understanding of animal anatomy, physiology, and diseases to diagnose and treat a variety of health issues in animals.

• Excellent diagnostic skills: The ability to interpret symptoms, conduct tests, and use diagnostic equipment to identify illnesses or injuries is crucial for effective veterinary care.

• Good communication skills: Veterinarians need strong communication skills to explain diagnoses, treatment plans, and post-care instructions to pet owners. Steph discusses in the chat that this can be very, very tricky. Clear communication is essential for building trust and ensuring compliance with care recommendations.

• Empathy and Compassion: Dealing with sick or injured animals and their owners can be emotionally challenging. Vets should have empathy and compassion to provide support and understanding during difficult times.

• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Vets often face unique and complex cases that require quick thinking and effective decision-making. The ability to analyse situations and make sound judgments is vital for successful veterinary practice.

• The ability to work well under (intense) pressure

• To be thorough and pay close attention to detail

• Good computer skills

• Resilience!

• Excellent hand dexterity and eyesight in order to accurately diagnose and treat.

 

In addition to general veterinary skills, an equine vet (veterinarian specialising in horses) would benefit from specific knowledge and skills related to horses and their care. Here are additional skills that an equine vet may need:

 

• Equine Anatomy and Physiology: An in-depth understanding of horse anatomy and physiology is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of equine health issues.

• Dentistry Skills: Equine dentistry is a specialised area, and equine vets should be proficient in dental care, including floating teeth and addressing dental abnormalities.

• Lameness Evaluation: Equine vets need to be skilled in assessing lameness issues, which are common in horses. This includes evaluating gait, performing flexion tests, and using diagnostic tools like radiography or ultrasound.

• Reproductive Knowledge: Equine vets often deal with reproductive issues, including pregnancy, foaling, and breeding. Knowledge of reproductive anatomy, artificial insemination, and pregnancy monitoring is essential.

• Hoof Care: Understanding equine podiatry is crucial, as hoof health is integral to a horse's overall well-being. This includes knowledge of trimming, shoeing, and addressing common hoof problems.

• Behavioural Understanding: Horses have unique behavioural traits, and equine vets should be able to interpret and address behavioural issues that may impact their health or care.

• Surgery Skills: Equine vets may perform various surgical procedures, including castrations, joint surgeries, and soft tissue surgeries specific to horses.

• Nutrition and Feeding: A solid understanding of equine nutrition is necessary for advising horse owners on proper feeding and dietary requirements tailored to each horse's needs.

• Equine Pharmacology: Knowledge of medications and drugs used in horses, including dosage and potential side effects, is essential for effective treatment.

• Emergency Response: Equine vets must be prepared to handle emergency situations, such as colic or injuries, and provide immediate and effective care.

• Equine veterinarians often develop a specialised skill set through experience, continuing education, and specific training to ensure they can meet the unique challenges of caring for horses.

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​Qualifications required

To become a Vet, you will need to complete a veterinary degree approved by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS): https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/bachelor-of-veterinary-medicine

 

https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/list-of-rcvs-accredited-higher-education-qualifications-in/

 

Entry to courses is highly competitive, as Steph explains in the chat. For this reason the selection process is very thorough. You can expect to be interviewed and to take screening tests at most universities. You'll need to show that:

• You are able to meet the academic requirements of the course

• You understand what the role involves

• You are highly motivated

• You have already gained some relevant work experience

 

Full-time veterinary degrees usually take 5 to 6 years.

 

If you already have a degree in a related subject, you may be able to take a 4-year graduate entry veterinary degree course: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/bvetmed-graduate-accelerated

 

As we’ve already touched on, hand-on work experience is VITAL to any success with this vocation, and we would assume/hope that if you’re considering a career like this, you’re already used to getting stuck in with animals and enjoy the outdoors doing so. If not, get volunteering ASAP!

 

This link gives additional information as to what training and qualifications are required: https://www.vetrecordjobs.com/myvetfuture/article/education-to-become-vet/#:~:text=To%20become%20a%20vet%2C%20you,have%20a%20strong%20science%20background

 

To qualify for a lecturer position, it is essential to have teaching experience at an undergraduate level. Typically, this experience is gained during study, as PhD students commonly instruct classes as part of their academic training. By the time they seek an official lecturing role, they generally boast a minimum of three years of teaching experience within a university setting.

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Rules and regs

As you would expect, the list of regulations and laws relating to vets are vast; so if your eyes can take it, here’s the Veterinary Surgeons Act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1966/36?view=plain

 

Here is the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons

 

Below is a list of the most important regulations for a Vet:

• Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974: https://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/hswa.htm

• The Fire Precaution Act 1971: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/40/section/12/enacted/data.htm?wrap=true

• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992: https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/backpain/employers/mhor.htm

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002: https://www.hse.gov.uk/cleaning/topics/coshh.htm

• The Control of Pollution Act 1974: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/40/contents

• Environmental Protection Act 1990: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/43/contents

• The Controlled Waste Regulations 1992: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/588/contents/made

• The Special Waste Regulations 1996: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/972/contents/made

• The Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/894/contents/made

 

This link details all government advised standards for Teachers: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61b73d6c8fa8f50384489c9a/Teachers__Standards_Dec_2021.pdf

 

And teachers need to be fully familiar with The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/pdfs/ukpga_20060047_en.pdf

And The Data Protection Act: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection

 

As with all businesses, vets and their surgeries will require insurance. Shire Insurance and Finance Brokers are vet insurance specialists: https://www.shirevet.co.uk/about-us

 

Although not a necessity, many insurance providers offer Teacher & Tutors Insurance: https://www.directlineforbusiness.co.uk/small-business-insurance/teachers-and-tutors

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Remuneration framework

• Starting salaries for newly-qualified vets are generally around £32,000 to £33,600.

• With further training and experience, your salary can rise to between £40,000 and £70,000, with the median being £52,693 (£68,950 in London).

• Highly experienced vets in the most senior roles can earn in the region of £70,000 to £100,000.

 

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/veterinary-surgeon

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Indeed also give this breakdown: https://uk.indeed.com/career/veterinarian/salaries/England

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How to get started

The leading veterinary college in the world is actually based in London, and is the Royal Veterinary College: https://www.rvc.ac.uk

 

UCAS outlines all the different degree courses you can do here: https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/all?query=Veterinary, including an Equine specific course: https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/8dc54d1f-19e6-cb30-9cae-0479e0377a44?backUrl=https:%2F%2Fwww.ucas.com%2Fexplore%2Fsearch%2Fall%3Fquery%3Dvetinary&courseOptionId=ad20134d-e084-4a3b-9c93-775fb308f3ce

 

However, lots of universities offer courses, so it very much depends on where you would like to study. A list of universities in the UK which you can study for a degree can be found on the RCVS website: https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/veterinary-careers/i-want-to-be-a-vet/?&&type=rfst&set=true#cookie-widget

 

If you’re not sure if a ‘full Vet’ is for you, and/or the 5-6 years is too much of a time commitment right now (and as Steph mentions in the chat), you could start off as a Veterinary nurse. There is the Level 3 Diploma in Veterinary Nursing, which is a traditionally a 2-year course, but can we undertaken on an apprenticeship-style alongside a job in a veterinary practice: https://www.caw.ac.uk/course/level-3-diploma-in-veterinary-nursing

 

https://findapprenticeshiptraining.apprenticeships.education.gov.uk/courses/333

 

As Steph says, all Vets must be ‘omnicompetent’ (our new favourite word!), however, if you would like to go on to specialise as an equine vet, The British Horse Society has some great information here: https://www.bhs.org.uk/careers-recreational-awards/equestrian-careers-guide

 

And again - get some volunteer and/or paid work experience - LOTS of it! As soon as you can. Whether that be at your local vet, cattery, kennel, farm or equestrian centre.

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Associations or official bodies to register with

Only vets registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) can practise veterinary medicine in the UK. Veterinary nurses and, more recently, veterinary practice premises (on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate), can also register: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration

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The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is the largest membership community for the veterinary profession: https://www.bva.co.uk/#:~:text=BVA%20%2D%20British%20Veterinary%20Association

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The RCVS has a list, much like that details previously, regarding all government legislation relating to vets: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/how-we-work/royal-charter-and-legislation/government-legislation

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The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), this association is specific to those working with horses: https://www.beva.org.uk

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Job site links

Indeed seem to be pretty active in listing Vet jobs: https://uk.indeed.com/q-veterinary-l-england-jobs.html?vjk=7d6b7876e0e7c29b

 

As does Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/veterinary-jobs/?currentJobId=3796890157&originalSubdomain=uk

 

The Vet Times also have a good job section: https://jobs.vettimes.co.uk

 

Jobs for lecturers can be found on the Times Higher Education website: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listings/united-kingdom/lecturers-assistant-professors

 

And the Times Educational Supplement also lists jobs: https://www.tes.com/jobs/browse/lecturer-united-kingdom

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Progression pathway​

Once you become an Omni Capable vet, you may look to specialise, like Steph has done, into the Equine side of things. And depending on how far your skillset develops and how well your reputation as an ‘expert’ is circulated, you could travel the UK and even the world with this specialism.

 

You can also specialise more specifically into a subject matter, like dermatology or cardiology. To do this, you’ll need to undertake an appropriate postgraduate course: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/lifelong-learning/postgraduate-qualifications and again, could get called on to travel widely with this specialism.

 

You could also shift (full time or alongside your day-to-day work, if you don’t mind the extra hours), into the research side of things… As Steph mentions, without the (NHS) funding that the human side of medicine has, animal research is a lot further behind. Therefore, if this is an area that interests you, and subject to funding, your skills would be highly appreciated. 

 

Another route could be to eventually set-up your own Veterinary practice. Not a decision for the faint-hearted, and you need to enjoy/be willing to embrace the business and management side of things to even consider this, however, it could likewise prove to be incredibly £ fruitful for you. Some links on how to do this are:

• https://www.vettimes.co.uk/app/uploads/wp-post-to-pdf-enhanced-cache/1/setting-up-how-to-grow-your-own-practice.pdf

• https://www.rcvs.org.uk/registration/applications-veterinary-premises/frequently-asked-questions

• https://thevetservice.com/how-to-set-up-your-own-vet-practice

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/registration-and-inspection-of-veterinary-practice-premises

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Additional links/FYIs

https://www.bva.co.uk/your-career/becoming-a-vet

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/vet