VCA Deer Creek Animal Hospital, CO

Warning message

The Colorado Workers' Compensation Act requires student interns to be covered by workers' compensation insurance. Ohio State is not able to add students to its institutional workers' compensation policy. Prior to scheduling an externship in Colorado, students must work with their externship supervisor to ensure that Colorado worker's compensation insurance requirements will be met. Proof of worker's compensation coverage must be sent to Dr. Emma Read for verification. If a student is not covered by a worker's compensation policy for their externship they will not earn academic credit for the rotation. For more information, visit: https://odee.osu.edu/departments/state-authorization#state-authorization-resources
Description of Elective Experience: 

Externs will spend time with large staff of veterinarians during the work week. Experience will be catered towards extern's interests. Small animal hospital with 24 hour emergency service and general practice. Board-certified dentist on staff. Oncologist and dermatologist have 1-2 days per week at this particular hospital. Routine surgeries are performed every weekday. Participation in surgery or other procedures will be at the discretion of the doctors on staff that day and are assessed based on extern's interest level, engagement, and veterinary school experience. 

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

Full-time staffing includes 24 hour emergency veterinarian, 6 days / week of general practice, 4 days / week of routine surgeries, 4-5 days / week of dental procedures. Board-certified dentist on staff. Board-certified oncologist and dermatologist see appointments at our hospital at least 1-2 days per week. Hospital is made up of a veterinary group (approximately 11-12 doctors) with interests in preventative medicine, dentistry, internal medicine, emergency and critical care, and surgery (laproscopic, soft-tissue, orthopedic, and emergency). Wide variety of training (internship, residency, board-certified, as well as no additional formal training)

Equipment includes general radiography, dental radiography, ultrasound (many doctors trained to perform full abdominal ultrasounds), endoscopy, rhinoscopy, otoscopy (camera scope), OR with two surgical tables, instrumentation for laproscopic surgery and very well-versed surgeons. Two oxygen cages for oxygen-dependent patients, well-equipped lab for routine diagnostics. Ability to run PT / PTT coagulation times in-hospital, but no blood gas analyzer at this time. 

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

Time commitment is expected to be a 40-hour work week divided over 4-5 days. This policy is lenient depending on the needs of the extern. Deer Creek will make every effort to provide opportunities to students to perform the following: • Observe/assist doctors in providing care to hospitalized patients • Observe and participate in office calls with staff doctors • Observe special procedures - e.g. endoscopy, ultrasound • Scrub in as second assistant in surgeries on a case by case basis o Students may not be left unsupervised, must have licensed DVM present in surgical/anesthetized cases • Attend daily hospitalized patient rounds • Assist hospital team with exceptional patient and customer care • Assist with patient management • Observe and participate in client communication • Attend all hospital seminars and rounds • Learn pain management guidelines and discuss analgesia protocols • Perform venipunctures, place catheters, and assist with anesthetic induction with appropriate oversight • Create a diagnostic plan, treatment plan and financial plan for patients of interest • Follow-through with cases from start to finish • Examine drop-off patients and develop treatment plans

Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

We have a small furnished room dedicated to externs in the lower level of our hospital. Basic amenities including bathroom, shower, bedding, small desk, dresser, WIFI, etc. Kitchen is part of the staff breakroom and is in direct proximity to the bedroom. Kitchen includes sink, microwave, dishwasher, cabinets with silverware, plates, etc. Breakroom has tables, couches, and TV with Chromecast. There is no cost associated with staying in the extern room. However, please be aware that this room is in very close proximity to our boarding facility as well as the laundry room. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a quiet evening. 

Supervisor: 
Jonathan Troup, DVM + Heather Headley, CVT, Hospital Manager
Website: 
https://vcahospitals.com/deer-creek-littleton
Contact email: 
Address: 
10148 W CHATFIELD AVE
LITTLETON, CO 80127
United States
Specialties: 
Animal Type: 
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
Yes
Hours of supervision by a licensed veterinarian per week: 
40