Our externs are teamed up with the interns to assist in patient assessment and care. The externship itself is largely open to whatever your interest. Occasionally the externs are scheduled with one specific doctor as an assistant, but largely you are free to follow whichever case interests you whether that be in hospital or ambulatory (as room in the truck allows). The practice is 95%+ equine and two of the ambulatory veterinarians will also see small ruminants, camelids, pigs, and backyard poultry as well. With time and proven competence externs will get to perform procedures such as IV catheter placement, abdominocentesis, and monitoring dummy foals. Many of our externs are interested in applying for the internship, but this is not a perquisite for participating in the externship.
Interns have primary case responsibility under the supervision of a senior clinician for the duration of the internship. The interns perform daily assessment of their cases, complete medical records, present cases in daily rounds, perform diagnostics, administer anesthesia, assist in surgery and medicine procedures and participate in monthly journal club. The interns on ambulatory service are under the direction of our three doctors on all cases such as dentals, lameness exams, etc. There are shared emergency duties which include receiving hospital cases after hours and anesthesia for emergency surgeries. After hours/weekend on call rotation is for referral emergencies and the intern will see all cases alongside a senior clinician. Each intern is on call two of every three nights and weekends. They will rotate between primary receiving (with a senior clinician), being on anesthesia/back up call and off call. During the week, even on nights off call, the intern is responsible for the care of their hospitalized cases. These cases will be transferred to the on call doctors/interns during their weekends off.
Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital is a mixed animal practice, but the doctors and the staff stick with either large or small animal. The large animal hospital has three surgeons, one internist, and three general practice ambulatory veterinarians. After hours treatments and monitoring are primarily carried out by overnight technicians and hospital staff. The case load is approximately 90% horses and 10% mostly small ruminants with a few pigs and camelids. The horse population includes hunter/jumpers, dressage, western pleasure, and backyard horses. The hospital boasts an MRI, two surgical suites with pillow assisted anesthesia recovery system, shock wave, PRP unit, digital radiology, plain film radiology for adult equine thorax and abdomen, various ultrasound machines, upper airway, 1 meter and 3 meter endoscopy, isolation facilities, in house labatory, and reproduction center for embryo harvest and stallion collection and nuclear scintigraphy off site.
The clinic is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday 9-5 for routine appointments. We are open 24 hours a day for emergencies. Equine Hospital Intern patient assessments are completed by 8:00 am and are followed by hospital rounds. After your first day please check in with the interns to see what time they would like you to start the following morning in case they need any help prior to rounds. Receiving and scheduled appointments start at 9:00 am. Expect to arrive at the clinic between 6:30 am and 7:00 am each morning to help the interns do morning assessments, and participate in case rounds.
Free on site housing of bunk beds with access to refrigerator and microwave. All bedding and towels are available. Please do not bring pets.