VCA Northwood Animal Hospital provides students hands-on experience in general practice medicine while working right alongside our doctors. A typical day will be spent seeing appointments and the occasional emergency. They will be shadowing the doctor in the exam rooms and performing physical exams. They will interpret diagnostic blood work and develop treatment plans with the doctor on duty. One day each week includes multiple surgeries ranging from spay/neuters to dentals and growth removals. Students will be assisting in dental and surgical procedures under doctor supervision Students will focus on learning how to effectively communicate with clients, provide routine exams, diagnose a variety of conditions, develop emergency and non-emergency treatment plans, assist with routine and non-routine surgical procedures and collaborate with support staff in a fast-paced environment.
Our hospital is staffed with 2 full time veterinarians, 4 RVT, several veterinary assistants as well as front desk and kennel staff. Our facility is equipped with digital radiography, dental radiography, ultrasound, IV pumps, blood pressure monitoring, surgical suite with the latest patient monitoring and warming equipment, in house laboratory and six exam rooms. The extern will have access to VCA resources for education via programs and software as well as shadowing our medical director.
The student will be required to participate in a regular schedule which will be determined by he and the medical director. All shadowing and actual support will also be determined by the medical director as well and will include 40 hours a week with rotating shifts.