Diagnoses, treats and prevents animal diseases, ailments and injuries.

Treats animals medically and surgically, and administers and prescribes drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics; determines the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory tests and through diagnostic imaging techniques; performs surgery, dresses wounds and sets broken bones; renders obstetric services to animals; participates in programs designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases; inoculates animals against, and tests for, infectious diseases and notifies authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases; performs autopsies to determine cause of death; advises clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals; may provide professional services to commercial firms producing biological and pharmaceutical products; may specialise in the treatment of a particular animal group or in a particular specialty area such as cardiology, chiropractic, dermatology or critical care.

• Frequently works indoors and outdoors in private veterinary practices and on farms/animal rearing environments, and in the wild.
• Frequent works in adequately lit, heated, ventilated and clean, well maintained and hygienic workspaces. May work in all weather.
• Frequent use of protective clothing and gloves.

• Generally light to medium but occasionally up to a heavy physical demand depending on the animals involved.
• Frequently sits when writing notes or using a computer and may also sit during consultations with animals and their owners. Frequently stands to examine animals and to conduct surgical procedures. Walks frequently to check and prepare equipment and examine animals, case notes and medical images.
• Frequent requirement for lifting, stretching, reaching, bending, squatting and crouching within a light to heavy demand level depending upon the context in which the veterinarian works.
• Occasional repetitive hand and finger movements may be required in some surgical procedures, when using a computer and hand writing.
• Frequent use of surgical and medical equipment and materials including pharmaceuticals, examining tables, operating tables, monitoring screens, medical dressings, surgical equipment and instruments, sterilising equipment and materials, surgical clothing and gloves and other specialist equipment.
• Mental skills necessary include a high level of cognitive functioning with medical, surgical, assessment, observation, diagnostic, communication, interpersonal, organisational, problem solving and decision-making capabilities.

A relevant tertiary qualification or at least five years applicable experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 1). Registration with the Veterinary Council of NZ and an Annual Practising Certificate is required.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.