The Regional Veterinary Referral Center (Critical Care Department), VA

Description of Elective Experience: 

We offer an externship for 4th year students in our emergency and critical care department.  Hours are either 7am-6pm or 4pm-2am.  We encourage students to spend time on both shifts as they can be quite different.  Students will go into exam rooms with doctors, perform their own exams and discuss a plan.  They may also be asked to help with technical duties during down times.  Other specialties in the hospital that students may be exposed to include: Surgery, Dermatology, Cardiology, Oncology, Neurology, Internal Medicine and Pathology.  

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

There are numerous board certified specialist on staff.  Externs will participate in rounds with interns.  We have access to many professional journals including JAVMA and IVECCS

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

Students are typically present 5 days a week.  We prefer if they spend time on both shifts, oftentimes on day shift one week and then midshift the second week.  Students are expected to arrive on time, in clean scrubs, with a desire to learn and contribute to the team.    

Supervisor: 
Montine Mansell Zapf
Website: 
www.vetreferralcenter.com
Contact email: 
Address: 
6651 Backlick Rd
Springfield, VA 22150
United States
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
There is a licensed veterinarian present 24 hours a day