Final answer:
Common skills needed by veterinarians, as noted by O*NET, include critical thinking, judgment and decision making, speaking, active listening, and a strong knowledge of science. Veterinarians must analyze, diagnose and decide on treatments for animals, requiring advanced critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to O*NET, common skills needed by veterinarians include a range of both technical and soft skills that are critical to their ability to perform the job. Skills such as critical thinking, judgment and decision making, and active listening are essential in diagnosing and treating animal patients effectively. Veterinarians must also possess strong speaking skills to communicate effectively with pet owners, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. Moreover, a robust foundation in science is necessary due to the varied medical and surgical interventions they perform on different species, which require a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology. Skills such as equipment maintenance, installation, and repairing are less central to a veterinarian's typical role when compared to those above.
Veterinarians often deal with complex situations that require them to analyze symptoms, test results, and decide on the best course of action, making critical thinking and the ability to make fast, effective decisions extremely important.