Prospects

5984 - Veterinary Medicine

Professional profiles

professional profile

Veterinarian working with pets and domesticated animals

JOB DESCRIPTION

Veterinarians are involved in the treatment and prevention of disease in animals. They carry out clinical activities involving pets and other animals (including sport horses and exotic animals), managing diseases and their diagnosis, therapy and prevention with the skills and attention of a clinician.

This role has a wide field of application that often leads graduates to choose a specialised professional field by means of post-graduate training courses. Veterinarians often work in animal clinics.

ASSOCIATED SKILLS

Veterinarians who carry out activities in the field of pet care will be able to:

• Collect anamnestic data and perform a physical examination
• Analyse anamnestic data and clinical findings and summarize them in a list of differential diagnoses
• Establish the appropriate diagnostic protocol based on the list of differential diagnoses
• Perform collateral diagnostic investigations
• Analyse the results of the diagnostic protocol (laboratory investigations and diagnostic imaging) in order to formulate, if possible, a definitive diagnosis, therapy and prognosis
• Administer medicines and vaccines according to appropriate methods and dosages
• Collect, process, store, transport and send in an appropriate manner the most common biological samples (such as blood, faeces, urine, skin scrapings)
• Properly sedate animals and administer anaesthesia
• Perform surgeries
• Perform necropsies
• Formulate diets based on the specific nutritional needs of each animal
• Correctly fulfil the legal provisions concerning the profession
• Understand the complexity of the economic problems related to the launch and management of professional activities in a competitive context

Specialised post-graduate skills may extend or deepen the list of aforementioned skills.

Common skills.

The veterinarian has:

• listening and communication skills to convey information and ideas;

• analytical skills;
• critical skills and the ability to use deductive reasoning in applying general rules to particular problems;
• problem solving skills;
• time management skills;
• the ability to interact professionally with colleagues, clients and other professional figures;
• the ability to work in groups;
• the ability to communicate effectively;

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

After national qualification as a veterinary physician, those holding a Master's Degree in Veterinary Medicine can become veterinary surgeons engaged in the treatment of pets a free market of professional activity, both on his/her own and as an employee.

Veterinarian working with livestock

JOB DESCRIPTION

In addition to the functions described for the previous profile, livestock veterinarians carry out activities aimed at the prevention and management of infectious diseases, the optimization of production (including the management of feeding, reproduction and breeding systems), and animal welfare. This professional role works mainly in animal husbandry.

SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ROLE

Veterinary surgeons in this role are able to:

• Evaluate the general conditions of the environment, farm management and animal welfare
• Collect the appropriate anamnestic data to carry out a direct, individual physical examination
• Analyse anamnestic data and clinical findings and integrate them in a list of differential diagnoses
• Set up an appropriate diagnostic protocol based on the list of differential diagnoses
• Perform collateral diagnostic investigations
• Analyse the results of the diagnostic protocol (laboratory investigations and diagnostic imaging) in order to formulate, if possible, a definitive diagnosis, therapy and prognosis
• Administer therapies and vaccines according to appropriate methods and dosages, while also considering the financial impact they have on the breeding facility
• Appropriately collect, process, store, transport and send in the most common biological samples (blood, faeces, urine, milk, skin scrapings, etc.)
• Provide adequate sedation and anaesthesia
• Perform surgical interventions
• Treat and prevent lameness
• Perform necropsies
• Analyse the correctness of common breeding practices, also in reference to applicable legislation on animal welfare and environmental protection
• Correctly comply with legal provisions concerning the profession
• Understand the economic problems related to production

Specialised post-graduate skills may extend or deepen the list of aforementioned skills.

Common skills.

The veterinary surgeon has:

• listening, speaking and conversation skills in order to to convey information and ideas, even in an industrial and rural or zootechnical context;
• analytical skills;
• critical sense, the ability to use deductive reasoning when applying general rules to specific problems;
• problem solving skills, the ability to gather information to evaluate possible options, identify causes and effects and make decisions;
• organization and time management skills;
• the ability to interact professionally with colleagues, clients and other professionals;
• the ability to work in groups;
• the ability to communicate effectively.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

After national qualification for the profession, those holding a Professional Master's Degree in Veterinary Medicine can practice the profession of veterinary surgeon engaged in the care of livestock in a free market of professional activity, both on his/her own or as an employee.

Veterinarians working in zootechnical supply chains

JOB DESCRIPTION

Veterinarians in this field deal with various aspects related to the genetic improvement of animals, nutrition and animal husbandry, with the aim of optimizing livestock production while respecting the health and welfare of animals as well as of improving the quality of products of animal origin while maintaining their safety. This role generally works in the food, nutritional and pharmaceutical industries and in animal husbandry.

SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLE

In addition to specialised clinical skills, veterinarians working in zootechnical supply chains possess precise knowledge about:

• The evaluation of the general environmental, livestock management and individual and herd welfare conditions;
• Management of the most common health and livestock practices;
• Management of hygiene and sanitation on farms;
• Data monitoring for efficient breeding;
• The evaluation of the qualitative characteristics of animal foods to satisfy the nutritional needs of animals and to preserve the safety of animal products (milk, meat, fish, eggs, honey, etc.);
• Proper breeding activities, including in reference to animal welfare legislation.
• The formulation of correct dietary plans based on the specific nutritional needs of animals and on the quantitative and qualitative financial aspects of their production,
• The economic problems typically faced by farms in relation to financial performance

Specialised post-graduate skills may extend or deepen the list of aforementioned skills.

Common skills.

Veterinarians possess:

• Listening, speaking and communication skills to convey information and ideas;

• analytical skills;
• critical skills and the ability to use deductive reasoning when applying general rules to particular problems;
• problem solving skills;
• time management skills;
• the ability for interact professionally with colleagues, clients and other professional figures;
• the ability to work in groups;
• the ability to communicate effectively;

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

After the acquisition of the national qualification to practice, veterinarians can carry out their profession in the free market, on their own or as an employee working in production facilities that are part of the food supply chain.

After specialised post-graduate training, veterinarians can work in the context of quality assessment and certification for establishments that process food of animal origin.

Veterinarian working in the food and food safety industry

JOB DESCRIPTION

In this role, veterinarians guarantee the healthiness and safety of foodstuffs by applying their skills to slaughterhouses and processing industries. Public veterinarians may also be involved in the residue inspection plans of products of animal origin. This profile works in both the private sector (slaughterhouses, processing industries) and the public one (AUSL, IZS).

SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLE

Veterinarians in charge of food safety have specialised skills related to:

• pre-and post-mortem inspections at slaughterhouses for main animal species and inspections of food of animal origin, including fish;
• official inspection activities at slaughterhouses;
• the application of the requirements of European and national legislation to production plants and foods of animal origin;

The acquisition of specific post-graduate skills may extend or deepen the list of previously reported skills.

Common skills.

The veterinarian has:

• listening and communication skills to convey information and ideas;

• analytical skills;
• critical skills and the ability to use deductive reasoning in applying general rules to particular problems;
• problem solving skills;
• time management skills;
• the ability to interact professionally with colleagues, clients and other professional figures;
• the ability to work in groups;
• the ability to communicate effectively;

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

After obtaining their national qualification to practice, veterinarians can carry out their profession freely, with their own practice or working at the National Health Service or at other national or European organisations.

After appropriate specialised post-graduate training, veterinarians can work in the quality assessment field or for the certification bodies of establishments which process food of animal origin.

Veterinarian working in the prevention and management of transmissible diseases and public health

JOB DESCRIPTION

This includes activities related to the prevention, management and eradication of transmissible diseases with particular reference to zoonoses, as well as those relating to the management of animal populations in urban areas. The role is prominently employed in public structures such as AUSL, IZS, governmental administrations and the Ministry of Health.

SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLE

Veterinarians involved in the prevention and management of transmissible diseases and urban hygiene have specialised skills, such as:

• knowledge about and application of legislation concerning the prevention and management of transmissible diseases (with particular reference to zoonoses);
• knowledge of urban veterinary hygiene;
• comprehensive assessment and management of environmental health risks, including health and non-health emergencies;
• application of the concepts of veterinary epidemiology for risk assessment;
• development of prophylaxis and inspection plans related to animal health, welfare standards and public health.

Specialised post-graduate skills may extend or deepen the list of aforementioned skills.

Common skills.

Veterinarians possess:

• listening, speaking and conversation skills to communicate information and ideas;
• analytical skills;
• critical sense, the ability to use deductive reasoning when applying general rules to specific problems;
• problem solving skills, the ability to gather the information necessary to evaluate possible options, identify causes and effects, and make decisions;
• organization and time management skills;
• the ability to interact professionally with colleagues, clients and other professionals;
• the ability to work in groups;
• the ability to communicate effectively.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

After qualification as a veterinarian, those holding a Master's Degree in Veterinary Medicine can carry out their profession at the National Health Service (working as veterinarians at the AUSL, IZS, PIF, UVAC), at other national public bodies (regions, provinces, ISS and ministries, including the Armed Forces) and the European Union.

After appropriate, specific post-graduate training, degree holders may carry out activities for quality assessment and certification bodies, working as quality insurers in facilities that process food of animal origin.

Research veterinarian

TASK IN A WORKING CONTEXT

Graduates in Veterinary Medicine have a solid scientific basis for actively participating in the planning and implementation of research activities. The positions which they may hold are those that have the animals as focus of research and for which veterinary skills are necessary. This includes employment in public (e.g. universities, IZS) or private (e.g. pharmaceutical companies) organisations.

SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLE

Veterinary surgeons engaged in research activities possess:

• the ability to evaluate and guarantee the welfare of animals used in studies and research, pursuant to current legislation
• Listening, speaking and communication skills to convey information and ideas;
• Analytical skills;
• Critical sense, the ability to use deductive reasoning to apply general rules to specific problems;
• Problem solving skills, the ability to gather the information needed to evaluate potential options, identifying causes and effects, and making decisions;
• Organization and time management skills;
• The ability to interact with colleagues, clients and other professionals;
• The ability to work in a team;
• The ability to communicate effectively

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Graduates in Veterinary Medicine can practice their profession freely, seeking employment at national public bodies (regions, provinces, IZS, ISS and ministries, including the armed forces) and throughout the European Union, as well as in private research facilities (e.g. the food industry and pharmaceutical companies).

Continuing to study

It gives access to third cycle studies (Dottorato di ricerca/Scuole di specializzazione) and master universitario di secondo livello.