Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota

Description of Elective Experience: 

The Animal Emergency & Referral Center of MN is located in the east metro of the Twin Cities. We are a small animal clinic that started as an emergency clinic 30 years ago, and has morphed into an emergency and referral center, offering complete patient care with multiple specialties. We are a team of highly skilled veterinarians,
specialists, and technicians, who work together to provide quality patient care. We place an emphasis on learning and have a strong program for veterinary student externs and vet tech interns. We have had vet student externs from throughout the country. We limit the extern rotation to 2 students per 2 week rotation, on alternating
schedules, to maximize individual learning. Each extern will get one on one time with various criticalists and multiple ER veterinarians. This allows exposure to a variety of practice methods.  Other specialties are available as well.

Externs are expected to be able to interact with clients, take histories, perform physical exams, perform minor procedures, scrub in on surgeries, and take part in rounds.   We have an extremely positive work environment and are very welcoming to students. Our primary hospital is in Oakdale, MN, which is open 24/7, with a satellite clinic in St. Paul, also open 24/7. Students spend a majority of the time at our Oakdale clinic, but also will spend at least 2 shifts at our St. Paul clinic. Students can customize their schedule. Each shift is up to 8 hours long, with a mix of days, evenings, weekends and holidays, for a total of about 40 hours per week.

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

Institutional Resources:

ER veterinarians

Specialists: ECC, IM, Neuro, Cardio, DACVR, DACVS, Derm

More Specialties to be added

Educational Resources Available:

Texts, computer databases, rounds, CE activities

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

Responsibilities Expected of Participating Students:

Externs are expected to be able to interact with clients, take histories, perform physical exams, perform minor procedures, scrub in on surgeries,
and take part in rounds. Students who are naturally inquisitive, ask questions, and who take initiative in learning as opportunities arise will get the most out of this program.  Each student is directly under the supervision of the attending veterinarian during that specific shift.  Students spend a majority of the time at our Oakdale clinic, but also will spend at least 2 shifts at our St. Paul clinic. Students can customize their schedule. Each shift is up to 8 hours long, with a mix of days, evenings, weekends and holidays, for a
total of about 40 hours per week.

Supervisor: 
Alex Molldrem, DVM
Website: 
www.aercmn.com
Contact email: 
Address: 
1163 Helmo Ave N
Oakdale, MN 55128
United States
Animal Type: 
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
40