anatomy of animals
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
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.
Competences and skills
52 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 11 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
8 competencesanimal behaviour
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
animal production science
Animal nutrition, agronomy, rural economics, animal husbandry, hygiene and bio-security, ethology, protection and herd health management.
biosecurity related to animals
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
physiology of animals
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
safe work practices in a veterinary setting
Safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and working environment.
signs of animal illness
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
veterinary clinical sciences
Aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and disorders. This includes veterinary areas such as propaedeutics, clinical and anatomic pathology, microbiology, parasitology, clinical medicine and surgery (including anaesthetics), preventive medicine, diagnostic imaging, animal reproduction and reproductive disorders, veterinary state medicine and public health, veterinary legislation and forensic medicine, and therapeutics.
Cross-sector
3 competencesanimal welfare
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
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animal welfare legislation
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
- Scope note
- National and EU legislation relevant to occupation, regulatory body and codes of conduct. This may include . , health and safety, risk assessment requirements and codes of conduct, especially in the areas of animal welfare, health and public health, food and environmental safety in relation with clients.
fundamental veterinary sciences
Veterinary anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics, pharmacology, pharmacy, toxicology, microbiology, immunology, epidemiology and professional ethics.
Essential skills and competences 24 competences
Occupation specific
4 competencescomply with veterinary inspection standards
Follow the veterinary inspection standards and ensure appropriate corrective actions when irregularities occur.
follow environmentally sustainable work practices in the veterinary sector
Contribute to the protection of the environment by complying with the sustainability principles, policies, and regulations related to working with animals.
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perform inspections of food-processing plants
Perform inspection activities at an abattoir or at a group of miscellaneous meat processing or handling establishments. Inspect establishments engaged in slaughtering livestock and processing meat. Examine animal and carcass before and after slaughtering to detect evidence of disease or other abnormal conditions. Determine that ingredients used in processing and marketing meat and meat products comply with governmental standards of purity and grading.
regulate animal health standards
Develop, inspect and enforce animal health standards required for interstate and international commerce of livestock and livestock products, and for public health.
Sector-specific
15 competencesadvise on animal welfare
Prepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommendations for corrective actions.
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advise on livestock disease control
Advise livestock owners of economic aspects of disease eradication. Advise consumers of public health implications of diseases transmissible from animals to humans.
apply animal hygiene practices
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
apply veterinary epidemiology
Analyse animal and zoonotic disease morbidity and mortality in a given population and relate findings to the norm. This includes collection and analysis of data and information for use in individual animals, groups or more widely as part of a network of disease surveillance. Implement intervention and control measures.
- Scope note
- The generalist veterinarian will not have the depth and bredth of knowledge, skills and competencies in this area as the official or certain specialised veterinarians .
assess animal's condition
Inspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.
certify the performance of veterinary procedures
Produce descriptive certification of procedures carried out by a veterinarian.
- Scope note
- Certification including: transportation, purchase, state of health, export of animal and animal products, vaccination, identification.
conduct ante-mortem veterinary health inspection
Perform clinical assessment and certification of the health status of food animals prior to slaughter.
evaluate information in the field of veterinary nursing
Be able to read, understand and utilise the most current research available to justify decisions based on best practice.
issue certificates for animal products
Issue certificates related to animal health and welfare or to animal products, based on the necessary examination or testing, in accordance with the principles of certification agreed at European level.
maintain veterinary clinical records
Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.
- Scope note
- Includes consultations, animal details, clinical measurements, communication with clients, prescription of pharmaceuticals, surgical and medical diagnostics and treatments, certification and monitoring of hospitalization records.
make decisions regarding the animal's welfare
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
manage animal biosecurity
Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
perform inspection analysis
Investigate and report on inspection procedures, techniques, equipment and materials.
perform laboratory testing on samples of animals
Conduct and interprete simple procedures in a veterinary practice laboratory on samples of an animal intended to detect, identify, or quantify disease agents, evaluate organ functions, or determine the nature of a disease.
- Scope note
- Whereas the veterinarian must be able to conduct and interpret basic laboratory testing, they may delegate or supervise testing by non-veterinarians.
perform veterinary diagnosis
Identify and determine the physiological status of animals and the nature and cause of diseases in animals through evaluation of patient history, clinical examination, and the selection, taking and reviewing of confirmatory imaging, laboratory and other ancillary test data.
- Scope note
- This includes other physiological monitoring of health status.
Cross-sector
5 competencesdeal with challenging people
Work safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how to address them to promote personal safety and that of others.
develop media strategy
Create the strategy on the type of content to be delivered to the target groups and which media to be used, taking into account the characteristics of the target audience and the media that will be used for content delivery.
develop zoonotic disease control policies
Carry out research and elaborate policies, guidelines, and strategies for the control of zoonotic and foodborne diseases.
handle veterinary emergencies
Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.
monitor the welfare of animals
Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
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Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceenvironmental enrichment for animals
Types, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, social and training activities.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 16 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
12 competencesapply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and work environments.
calculate rates per hours
Make simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.
collaborate with animal related professionals
Collaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.
cope with challenging circumstances in the veterinary sector
Maintain a positive attitude during challenging situations such as a misbehaving animal. Work under pressure and adapt to the circumstances in a positive manner.'
develop an animal handling strategy
Develop plans and strategies to deal with the animal in order to achieve established goals and optimal results.'
implement veterinary clinical governance
Conduct self audit and peer group review processes in relation to professional standards in veterinary clinics.
interview animal owners on animals' conditions
Ask questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.
maintain administrative records in the veterinary office
Create and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'
maintain relationships with animal welfare establishments
Ensure good relations with other animal welfare establishments and agencies.
provide animal training
Provide training in basic handling, habituation, and obedience to enable the completion of day-to-day tasks while minimising the risks to the animal, the handler, and others.
take advantage of learning opportunities in veterinary science
Use different channels and learning styles such as journals, courses, and conferences to obtain new information, knowledge, skills, and know-how in relation to working with animals.
understand the animal's situation
Categorise and verify information about the environment and its impact on the animal. Analyse the situation, such as what the animal may want or need.
Cross-sector
4 competencesapply numeracy skills
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
manage infection control in the facility
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
- Scope note
- Includes procedures such as hand washing, disinfection and proper skin care, universal hygiene precautions, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment, reporting and treatment of sharps injuries, and dealing with blood and body fluid spillages.
provide mentorship
Guide and support less knowledgeable or less experienced colleagues.
use different communication channels
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.