UrgentVet is an outpatient, acute care practice model that was the first in the US to operate like a human urgent care. Patients are seen on a walk-in basis and examined, diagnosed, and treated in an hour or less. Students work side by side with the staff veterinarian, caring for patients suffering from a wide variety of mild illnesses and injuries. We rely on physical examination findings, point of care diagnostic testing, full in-house laboratory, and digital x-ray to develop a differential diagnoses list for patients. Cases are worked up in SOAP format on a cloud-based EMR. More than 90% of patients are treated in-house. Critical cases are referred to 24-hr specialty for ongoing hospitalization and/or surgery. The vast majority of pets recheck with their primary care veterinarian within two weeks of their UrgentVet visit. Students will become proficient at writing discharge instructions (to clients) and referral reports (to referring general practices). UrgentVet is a unique and rewarding educational experience that enhances 4th year clinical skills.
UrgentVet was founded by OSU-CVM alum Jim Dobies (Class of 1998). Two locations in the Charlotte, NC (opened in 2015 & 2017). Three locations in development in Tampa, Florida for 2019 (opening July, October, and December). Staff to doctor ratio of 3 to 1 on weeknights and 5-6 to 1 on weekends. There is always a registered veterinary technician on staff; doctors are expected to delegate nursing and diagnostic tasks to their support teams. Full in-house lab; state of the art digital x-ray. Heavy emphasis on acute care protocols and injectable medications. Cloud-based EMR and wireless tech utilized to enhance the efficiency of care.
Hours of operation: M-F 3p-11p, Sa-Sun 10a-8p. Most UrgentVet doctors and staff enjoy a 4-day work week. Students are expected to shadow the doctor until they feel oriented. Then, students examine and work-up patients in a parallel manner with the attending veterinarian. During peak patient times, students may be asked to provide a supporting role but every courtesy is extended to remind the students (and staff) that they are visting doctors.
Every effort is made to find a room for the student live in at no cost during the externship. Usually this is in the home of a veterinarian, employee, or client of the practice. We regret that we cannot offer pet-friendly accommodations. There are also several extended stay hotels and numerous VRBO rentals in the Charlotte and Tampa markets.