Providing animals with the care and support they need to remain healthy is a role that requires attention to detail. Did you know that this essential skill should also be applied to a veterinarian job search? The working environment that an animal healthcare professional works in will impact every aspect of their role, so it is important to pay attention to detail during the job search.
Work Schedule Expectations
Determine the type of environment you want to work in. For veterinarians, there are two main sectors, standard clinics, and urgent care facilities. A standard clinic will generally operate on a set schedule, such as 9 am to 5 pm. Urgent, or emergency, care facilities often operate around the clock. For a veterinarian, this schedule may require working nights and weekends. Think about your ideal work schedule and go from there.
Long-Term Care Policies
If providing care in a shelter environment piques your interest, be sure to find out about the facility's long-term care policy. Many shelters have policies in place that determine how they handle animals that are not adopted after a certain period, which may include a euthanizing process. If you are a healthcare professional who has a preference on this matter, be sure to perform research as you search for a new role.
Business Model Practices
Helping animals recover from injuries and lead healthier lives is always the goal, but not every facility offers these services the same way. Some not-for-profit clinics rely heavily on donations and other services to provide animal care. As such, the pay scale for the veterinarians that work in these facilities may be caped lower than a professional who works in a for-profit facility. In terms of your long-term plans, this factor may prove to be important for the role you choose.
Facility Location
As a veterinarian, you are trained and skilled enough to provide care to a range of different animal types, but it is also not unheard of for some professionals to have a preference when it comes to which types of animals they care for more frequently. For example, a facility in an urban environment will likely come along with routine care for domesticated animals, while a rural area may differ. If you fall into this preference category, be mindful of the facility location.
Keep these tips in mind as you venture out on the job search to find a veterinarian job that checks all your boxes.
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