This externship is a hands-on program in marine mammal medicine, rehabilitation and pathology. Students will participate in animal husbandry, handling/restraint, anesthesia, medical exams/treatments/procedures, and necropsy. Students are also required to work on and present a project during their 4-week rotation. Externs will participate on a husbandry crew once each week since it is a fundamental part of animal care and an excellent opportunity for hands-on experience with these unique animals. Students can expect to learn valuable skills such as boarding, physical restraint, tube feeding, food preparation, administering medications and fluids, and learning to recognize normal vs. abnormal behavior.
Physical Exams and Records: Students will help conduct admission, recheck and release physical examinations on patients throughout their rotation, which generally include a full or recheck examination and assessment, helping with minor and major procedures and immediate treatment if warranted. Students will become familiar with the electronic record keeping system and help complete daily medical records for active patients.
Anesthesia and Surgery: Many examinations require sedation or anesthesia to facilitate handling, thus the student will be able to assist with anesthesia by learning about different drug combinations, monitoring anesthesia, and assisting with procedures such as radiographs, ultrasound, urine collection via catheter, and surgical procedures.
Necropsy is a critical part of marine mammal medicine and rehabilitation. The opportunity to perform necropsies on clinical cases is an exceptional learning experience and allows them to confirm diagnoses and visualize disease processes. During the rotation the student will be in necropsy one day each week and help perform necropsy including recording data on necropsy forms, taking standard measurements, learning sampling protocols for different species, developing a systematic approach to evaluating every organ system, and accurately describing gross lesions in necropsy reports.
Beach Rescues and Releases: The Rescue Department coordinates the assessment of stranded animals in the field, determines the status of the animal, organizes capture, transport, and release, and interfaces with the public. The student may have the opportunity to become involved in animal beach assessment and/or go out on a release while they are here.
TMMC is fully staffed with a full-time Staff Veterinarian, Veterinary Intern, Veterinary Fellow, Director of Vet Services, 5 full-time certified veterinary technicians, a full-time pathologist, and multiple research biologists. Equipment includes a fully equipped hospital with wireless radiography, ultrasound, multiple anesthetic units and all necessary monitoring equipment. We have an extensive on-site patient database and library, and conduct daily patient rounds.
Students are expected to actively participate in daily activities and rounds. They are encouraged to ask questions, contribute ideas and perform medical tasks according to their skill and comfort level. Students are expected to work a minimum of 40 hrs/week, and will be under the guidance of a veterinarian or certified veterinary technician when working with animals in a medical capacity. Students will have some time to work on their project throughout the day but are expected to work on it some evenings and weekends as well.
A room in a shared housing unit will most likely be available. The cost is approximately $200/week. Pets and significant others are not allowed.