The primary purpose of our proposed program is to provide a realistic learning experience for 4th year veterinary students. The program is set up to run in 2 – 4 week blocks. We currently operate four veterinary hospitals throughout the Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky region that offer small animal, mixed animal, large animal, and emergency services. With the upcoming expansion of our main facility to a new 17,000 sq ft building, we are actively recruiting new and experienced veterinarians to join our team; and welcome to opportunity to provide mentorship or employment. Furthermore, we are actively seeking mixed or large animal veterinarians to work at our satellite locations. Externs are encouraged to work primarily at the main location at Pet Wellness Center; however, if there is interest in large animal medicine, a rotation will be performed at our mixed animal facilities as well to obtain a well-rounded externship experience.
We see approximately 180 cases at our main facility and perform over 20 surgeries each week. We have 3 clinical examination rooms, pharmacy, digital x-ray, endoscopy, ultrasound, digital dental x-ray, laser therapy, chiropractic care, and underwater treadmill. We employ four full-time veterinarians that work at 4 different locations and have 15 full-time technicians and 10 part-time technicians (10 certified). Our satellite facilities have two examination rooms, pharmacy, surgery suite, haul in equine facility, and offer farm calls, wellness examinations, vaccinations, bloodwork, and basic surgeries.
The extern is responsible for performing inpatient and outpatient medical care under the direct supervision of our veterinary staff. The extern will be expected to perform in-house diagnostic tests (hematology, chemistry, and radiology) with competence, perform routine client education, and to assist in surgical procedures. The main hospital is open Monday through Thursday 7:30am – 7pm, Friday 730am – 5pm, and Saturday 8am – 12pm. The extern is expected to arrive each morning no later than 8am. Lunch is scheduled as appropriate, but efforts are made to provide 1 ½ hours each day sometime between 12pm – 1:30pm. The extern is expected to stay until all cases are effectively cared for before leaving at the end of the day; generally, this is about 6pm – 7pm. If there is a mixed or large animal interest, there may be scheduled farm calls or emergency farm call cases that all externs will be encouraged to participate in. The extern may choose to work some Saturdays, due to the presentation of emergency cases which make for a great learning experience. Saturday afternoon’s and Sunday’s are given off to relax and reflect upon the cases seen during the week.
Greater Vision Veterinary Care will offer to pay a $100 stipend per week for the duration of the externship to help pay for general costs, gas, etc. We will also help provide housing arrangements if there are none available in the Southern Illinois area. We look forward to the opportunity to provide mentorship and hopefully gain a valuable professional relationship with the student.