Two doctor, AAHA accredited small animal, general practice located in a suburban/rural county 60 miles from downtown Chicago. We accept 4th year veterinary students for a small animal, general practice externship where the full breadth of daily veterinary medicine, client communication and business experience can be obtained. Selection of candidates will based on level of genuine interest, fit for practice culture, and the results of in-person, online, or phone interviews.
Students, upon completion, will walk away with a more complete understanding of the diverse needs of veterinary medicine in a general practice and the rewards and challenges of practice ownership and business management.
Students will shadow and assist our veterinarians and technicians as they work through their daily activities. Exposure to and participation in wellness examinations and care, illness and urgent care appointments, soft tissue surgery both routine and non-elective, extensive routine dental cleanings and oral surgeries. Student will be taught how to properly use digital radiography, including digital dental radiography, with exposure to general ultrasound techniques, Non-rebreathing and self-ventilating anesthesia machines, both Idexx and Abaxis in house laboratory equipment, electro-surgery, use of fluid warmers and pumps, and oxygen cage. Additionally, utilization and exposure to current practice technology is offered through our practices use of an App for client communication and an online pharmacy.
Personnel resources for students exists in the form of a long-term, highly trained staff. We currently have two very experienced and respected veterinarians, a hospital manager who holds a management and Veterinary Medical Technology (CVT) degrees, four staff CVT’s, and two additional educated and trained technicians, as well as additional receptionists and kennel assistants from which to draw practical client and patient experience from. 90% of our staff achieves upwards of 30 C.E. units a year in an effort to stay current on veterinary trends and advances. The student will be expected to actively participate in weekly doctor/manger meetings which are provided to help give insight into the important aspects of running a business as well as weekly staff meetings for guidance, coaching, team development and goal setting to optimize patient care and outcomes.
Expected experience hours would be approximately 40 hours: M-W-F: 8am -5pm, Tue: 10a-7pm, Thu: 7a-4pm, Sat: 8a-12p *
*possible participation in an after-hours emergency on weeknights before 9pm.
Student is expected to:
Learn about and be familiar with AAHA standards
Assist with and perform patient assessments, treatments, and diagnostics
Learn how clinicians perform their physical examinations, communicate with clients, and arrive at recommendations
Communicate to clients the practice and doctor recommendations, answer client’s questions and educate them to help achieve best health outcomes for their pets.
Document patient assessments in proper SOAP format
Scrub in and assist surgical, dental, and oral surgery procedures
Monitoring of patients under anesthesia and post-operatively until recovered
May be asked to review post-op, home care instructions to owners and complete follow-up calls to check on patients
Participation in both management meetings Monday mornings at 7:45 am, and weekly staff meetings Thursdays Noon-2pm
Exposure to basic budgeting, financial statements and key productivity indicators and industry business standards.
Complete OSHA training and Employee Policy Manual review
Temporary housing accommodations provided for non-local externs either in a home or hotel/Air b-n-b etc.
TBD when dates are set. Various Short Term and Long term rentals are available to us