About this career
Official veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity all veterinary activities with particular focus on the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. They are responsible for national animal disease eradication programmes, the protection of public health and food or animal inspection, animal movements, and import and export of live animals and their products.
Essential skills
advise on animal welfare
advise on livestock disease control
apply animal hygiene practices
apply veterinary epidemiology
assess animal's condition
certify the performance of veterinary procedures
comply with veterinary inspection standards
conduct ante-mortem veterinary health inspection
deal with challenging people
develop media strategy
develop zoonotic disease control policies
evaluate information in the field of veterinary nursing
follow environmentally sustainable work practices in the veterinary sector
handle veterinary emergencies
issue certificates for animal products
maintain veterinary clinical records
make decisions regarding the animal's welfare
manage animal biosecurity
monitor the welfare of animals
perform inspection analysis
perform inspections of food-processing plants
perform laboratory testing on samples of animals
perform veterinary diagnosis
regulate animal health standards
Required knowledge
anatomy of animals
animal behaviour
animal production science
animal welfare
animal welfare legislation
biosecurity related to animals
fundamental veterinary sciences
physiology of animals
safe work practices in a veterinary setting
signs of animal illness
veterinary clinical sciences
Additional skills
apply numeracy skills
apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
calculate rates per hours
collaborate with animal related professionals
cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sector
develop an animal handling strategy
implement veterinary clinical governance
interview animal owners on animals' conditions
maintain administrative records in the veterinary office
maintain relationships with animal welfare establishments
manage infection control in the facility
provide animal training
provide mentorship
take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary science
understand the animal's situation
use different communication channels
environmental enrichment for animals
Also known as
state vet
government vet
official vet
veterinary inspector
public health veterinarian
government veterinary officer