Veterinarian Job Description [Updated 2025]

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Veterinarians are responsible for providing medical care to animals. They diagnose, treat, and research various animal medical conditions. Veterinarians treat animals such as pets, livestock, and exotic animals with a variety of medical equipment.

Veterinarians provide care to animals in a similar way that doctors provide care to humans. Veterinarians work hand-in-hand with clients to find the best treatment solution for each animal using necessary materials and equipment.

What does a Veterinarian do?

Veterinarians prevent and treat illnesses in animals, and improve their general health and wellbeing. They collaborate with Veterinary Nurses, Surgeons, and other staff members to maintain ethical medical practices and standards. Veterinarians must be empathetic, caring, friendly, and organized to thrive at this job.

Hire your next Veterinarian today.

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Hire your next Veterinarian today.

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Veterinarian Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Looking for a change? Want to experience small town charm but have easy access to all the big city has to offer?Full-Time and Part-Time positions available in a well established fully computerized and well-equipped Companion Animal Hospital. Come join a well-trained team that currently includes 2 associates and 4 vet techs. We are close to many referral clinics and to numerous all season recreation activities. Wages, benefits, etc are competitive. Lots of future potential.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Part-time hours: 30-40 per week

Salary: $55.00-$75.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental care
Extended health care
Paid time off
Vision care

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Supplemental pay types:

Bonus pay

COVID-19 considerations:
Staff and clients are masked. All staff have at least 3 covid vaccinations.

Ability to commute/relocate:

Sutton West, ON: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

Veterinary experience: 1 year Location: One location

Example 2

West Boulevard Veterinary Clinic is looking for a locum Veterinarian to cover some shifts while our full time veterinarian is on vacation from November 6th to 27th.

We are a privately owned small animal clinic in the heart of Kerrisdale, Vancouver with a team who focuses on dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs & other small animals (excluding birds & reptiles). Our location provides access to the Kerrisdale Community as well as an easy commute to & from most parts of Vancouver.

WBVC would love to welcome someone who is proficient in all aspects of small animal medicine & surgery, has empathy & respect for others as well as excellent communication skills with both our clients & our team. You would be joining a busy, friendly, collaborative & supportive team. With our establishment since 1945 (since 1980 under current ownership), along with the pride we take in delivering great service & medicine, we have very strong & established relationships with our clients & patients.

The hospital is currently operated by 1 full time vet, 1 part time vets & a team of support staff. We’re well equipped & work closely with specialists on a case by case basis. Our Veterinarian hours are 9am-6pm & we’re closed on Sundays. Remuneration & benefits will be discussed with applicants.

Please email your resume & cover letter to us

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: From $85.00 per hour

Flexible Language Requirement:

English not required

Ability to commute/relocate:

Vancouver, BC V6M 3W4: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work Location: In person

Example 3

Job Details:We have a wonderful opportunity located in Carberry, Manitoba. The Carberry Small Animal Veterinary Clinic seeking a full-time and or part time Veterinarian to join our amazing team.

We are proud to offer a wide range of veterinary services for the community of Carberry and surrounding areas. We provide services for small animals offering dentistry, nutritional counselling, digital radiology, wellness and vaccination programs and more.

Our experienced veterinarians provide many surgical services ranging from routine to advanced procedures. Learning opportunities and room to grow are endless with their team!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO Succeed

Provincial DVM licensing, or eligibility to be licensed
Passion for what you do every day
Enthusiasm, energy and a positive attitude are a must
A strong desire to educate and build solid relationships with clients
Excellent communication skills

WHAT WE OFFER

Generous CE allowance
Medical, dental and vision insurance
Life, and disability insurance
Professional liability coverage
Association dues and VIN membership
Outstanding discounts on medical, pet supplies and services
Fairness, respect in the workplace
Opportunity for personal, professional and financial growth
Clinic open Monday- Friday, Weekends off
*NO
after hours or on call scheduling

You were made to save animals; we take care of the rest.

A workplace that focuses on providing the best for its patients and team members. We are so confident that you’ll love our clinic, we would love to provide you with employee references for our workplace! Let our past and current team members tell you why our clinic is the best place to work.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Part-time hours: 20-40 per week

Pay: $60,000.00-$90,000.00 per year

Additional pay:

Overtime pay

Benefits:

Casual dress
Dental care
Extended health care
Paid time off
Vision care

Schedule:

8 hour experience: 1 year (preferred)

Example 4

Tired of Corporate Life? Seton Vet Clinic, a privately owned and modern small animal practice located in SE Calgary, AB, is currently seeking a highly motivated and team-oriented veterinarian to join our progressive veterinary team. MUST be FULLY licensed and ready to practice In Alberta. We have an amazing team were work culture is super important to us.

About Seton Vet Clinic:

State-of-the-art in-house diagnostics
In-house digital X-rays
Separate dental suite away from the treatment area.
Cloud based software
Highest Spec ultrasound machine
New Clinic and packed with all the essentials

What Sets Us Apart:

Team Environment: Enjoy working in a fun and friendly atmosphere where collaboration and camaraderie are valued.
Cutting-edge Technology: Benefit from our full in-house diagnostics, including Heska/Antech Lab systems, digital radiology, and a brand new ultrasound machine.
Supportive Staff: A dedicated team is available to assist in meeting the needs of both patients and the practice.

Requirements:

Registered Veterinarian within Alberta
Good standing with the ABVMA.

If you are passionate about providing high-quality veterinary care, value teamwork, and are excited about the prospect of joining a modern and progressive clinic, we invite you to apply.

Please submit your resume to [website]

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: $100,000.00-$140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care
Disability insurance
Flexible schedule
Life insurance
On-site parking
Paid time off
Store discount
Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

French not required

Schedule:

10 hour shift
8 hour shift
Monday to Friday
Weekends as Location: In person

Example 5

At Port City, our emphasis is on culture and inclusiveness. We believe in creating a positive and supportive work environment and strive to ensure that all of our staff feel valued and appreciated. Each of our doctors are skilled in different areas of surgery, internal medicine, and diagnostic imaging. We work as a cohesive team to utilize these skills and provide gold standard of care.

Our Schedule is a 4 on 5 off rotation through 8am-8pm, 12am-12pm and 8pm-8am. This allows our staff to have a healthy work life balance while providing round the clock care to our patients.

Responsibilities:

- Provide quality emergency veterinary medical care to a variety of small animals.

- Ability to handle multiple emergencies at once.

- Perform necessary surgical procedures with utmost care and professionalism.

- Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and staff regarding the pet’s condition and treatment options.

- Maintain accurate and detailed medical records.

- Educate clients about the importance of preventative care and healthy living for their pets.

- Work closely with other members of the veterinary team to provide the best possible care to our patients.

- Participate in teaching and mentoring veterinary students and staff.

Qualifications

- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited institution.

- Active license or ability to obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine in New Brunswick, Canada.

- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, time management is key.

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

- Compassionate and caring attitude towards pets and their owners.

- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

- Ideally, we are searching for candidates with 3-5 years experience, however, new graduates are welcome to apply.

- Orthopedic experience would be considered an asset.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $110,000.00-$150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company events
Dental care
Disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Extended health care
Life insurance
Relocation assistance
Vision care

Schedule:

12 hour shift
Day shift
Night shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

Saint John, NB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work Location: In person

Example 6

NEED A BIG Change? TRY Emergency Medicine!!! LOVE Working WITH A Passionate, FUN, Amazing TEAM?? (everyone says that but it’s actually true here! Ask our team members!)Start (or restart) your career at The Niagara Veterinary Emergency Clinic, in beautiful Niagara Region.

We are looking for full-time (36 hrs/week) veterinarians for our growing team. We offer a very attractive, competitive compensation package! Hourly wage: $100/hr (earning potential to $200,000/year) Additional shift premiums for taking extra shifts (above 3/week). Perks including health and dental benefits, continuing education/CVO dues allowance, clinic VIN membership, a $15,000 signing/retention bonus ($5000 at start, $10,000 after 1 year), and more (we take our snack game very seriously!). Must have unrestricted licence to practice in Ontario.

Our focus is on building a high-performing, productive and positive team environment because we know that a strong team delivers exceptional results. The health and wellness of our team is our highest priority. Our experienced team strives to provide the best possible medical and surgical care, with in-house lab equipment, digital x-ray, ultrasound, modern surgery suite and an experienced emergency care support team. Our well established, state of the art, busy 24-hour emergency clinic offers the diverse and varied experience that only emergency medicine can bring. Never be bored again!

If you love the challenge of a fast paced clinic, are confident, exhibit strong communication skills, and are seeking to join an amazing team of compassionate, committed professionals, NVEC is sure to be a great fit! Niagara offers excellent quality of life, short commutes, outdoor activities, growing arts community, world-class wine region, and a strong, vibrant veterinary community who has come together to support their emergency clinic during the pandemic. New or recent grads are welcome and will be supported by our team of experienced DVMs! NVEC has been serving Niagara Region for over 30 years and is a trusted partner of over 30 clinics from across Niagara, dedicated to providing quality after hours and emergency care to their clients. [website]

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $100.00 per hour

Benefits:

Dental care
Discounted or free food
Employee assistance program
Extended health care
Life insurance
On-site parking
Store discount

Schedule:

12 hour shift
Day shift
Evening shift
Holidays
Night shift
Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

Bonus pay

COVID-19 operating curbside, mandatory vaccination and masking policies in effect.

Example 7

Company:

Veterinarian Associates Manitoba Veterinary Corporation

1783 Plessis Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3W 1N3

Job Title

Associate Veterinarian

TEER 1
NOC (2021): 31103 – Veterinarians

Wage:CAD$ 90,000 per annum

Location(s) of work: Plessis Veterinary Hospital; 1783 Plessis Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3W 1N3

Number of Positions:Two (2)

Required Language Skills: English (spoken and written)

Key Responsibilities:

· Build rapport with clients by gathering information and listening to, and empathizing with their concerns

· Perform physical examinations and diagnostic/medical/surgical/dental procedures on pets that deliver the highest quality care while minimizing patient stress and discomfort.

· Communicate with clients on topics such as pet diagnosis, treatment plans, preventive health care, and nutritional needs.

· Maintain client/patient medical/surgical records and make certain that all necessary logs are kept up-to-date through established protocols.

· Vaccinate animals to prevent and treat disease.

· Stay current on new medical information and changes in veterinary medicine.

· Assist in the development of the paraprofessional team to ensure delivery of the highest quality care and exceptional client service.

Required Skills:

· Licensure in good standing to practice or be eligible to be licensed in the province in which applicant is to be employed.

· Commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding veterinary code of ethics.

· Works collaboratively with hospital team members.

· Makes decisions confidently and effectively.

· Models a professional and courteous manner with staff and clients.

Required Education:

· A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or a four-to-five-year university degree in veterinary medicine.

Benefits:Group Insurance benefits are provided.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: $90,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental care
Disability insurance
Extended health care
Life insurance
Vision care

Flexible Language Requirement:

French not required

Schedule:

8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

Winnipeg, MB: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Experience:

Veterinary experience: 1 year Location: One location

Our mission

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Veterinarian duties and responsibilities

A Veterinarian is in charge of ensuring animals under their care are in good health. Some of the duties and responsibilities of Veterinarians include:

Examining animals and diagnosing any of their medical issues
Performing laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging to diagnose animal medical conditions
Performing surgery, dressing and treating wounds, and prescribing relevant medication to the animals
Advocating for routine vaccinations by administering vaccines and educating animal owners on the best diets and lifestyle choices for their pets
Improving dental health for animals by conducting routine checkups, cleaning, and teeth extraction
Spaying and neutering animals
Euthanizing animals when necessary
Maintaining clear and detailed medical records

Veterinarian skills and qualifications

Veterinarians need to be friendly, calm, and professional. Sometimes a pet brought in can be frantic, and the vet should be able to calm the patient. Veterinarian skills and qualifications include:

Able to make decisions regarding the welfare of animals
Excellent social and communication skills for dealing with animal owners
Necessary licencing to practice
Able to deal with uncooperative animals and owners
Performing medical tests and diagnostic imaging techniques
Understanding local and regional laws about animals and their welfare
Giving appropriate advice to pet owners regarding their animals, such as providing them with dietary recommendations

Veterinarian experience requirements

Veterinarian candidates should have prior experience working with animals in a veterinary role or other animal care related role. They should have two or more years experience working with animals. Experience as an intern or volunteer in an animal hospital, veterinary practice, or zoo is usually required.

Veterinarian educational and training requirements

Veterinarian candidates should have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Prior to earning their doctoral degree, Veterinarian candidates should have completed a bachelors degree in a relevant scientific subject. They must be certified by their provincial or territorial regulatory body. They should also have qualifications or training certifications for dealing with specific animals, especially for jobs that require dealing with exotic animals.

Veterinarian salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, Veterinarians in Canada make an average of $94,130 per year. A Veterinarian’s salary may vary depending on their location, experience, education, and the hiring company

Job description for similar positions

If this Veterinarian job description sample isn’t quite what you were looking for, related samples include:

Veterinarian job description FAQs

Becoming a Veterinarian takes about 7-9 years. The first thing an aspiring vet should do is earn a Bachelor of Science degree that takes about four years to finish. Afterwards, the candidate should attend veterinary school to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from an accredited institution. This usually takes about four years to complete.

Before they practice veterinary medicine, the candidate takes a certification exam to earn their licence in their region. Some vets choose to get veterinary accreditation. This is the highest achievement for vets who have gone through advanced and specialized training. Although accreditation a prerequisite for becoming a Veterinarian, it means that they are a valuable candidate and skilled veterinarian.

For a Veterinarian to practice veterinary medicine, they should have a provincial license in addition to their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Although certifications aren’t mandatory, they must have a license, usually gotten after passing a province’s or territory’s board examination.

Some territories and provinces require that Veterinarians have additional licenses or continuing education to practice. Continuing education allows Veterinarians to get their licenses renewed. For example, in Manitoba, Veterinarians are expected to obtain 30 hours of continuing education every two years. Often certification is given to vets who specialize in any species group. Additional certification addresses medicine practiced rather than the species of the animal. These types of certifications require specialized training.

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How to a Write a Veterinarian Job Description Sample

What does a Veterinarian do?

Veterinarian Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Find your next great Veterinarian on Indeed

Veterinarian duties and responsibilities

Veterinarian skills and qualifications

Veterinarian experience requirements

Veterinarian educational and training requirements

Veterinarian salary expectations

Job description for similar positions

Veterinarian job description FAQs

Hire your next Veterinarian today

Job Description Examples

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How to a Write a Veterinarian Job Description Sample

What does a Veterinarian do?

Veterinarian Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Example 7

Find your next great Veterinarian on Indeed

Veterinarian duties and responsibilities

Veterinarian skills and qualifications

Veterinarian experience requirements

Veterinarian educational and training requirements

Veterinarian salary expectations

Job description for similar positions

Veterinarian job description FAQs

Hire your next Veterinarian today

Job Description Examples

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