DVM Mission Launch: Externship + New Grad Opportunity

Mission Pet Health; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Acredale Animal Hospital – Kempsville in Virginia Beach invites DVM students to join an externship track designed for new graduates, with mentorship and hands-on experience across medical and surgical cases. Open to the Class of 2027, this externship offers paid training and a potential path to a full-time role.

Externs receive an enhanced stipend of $1,000/week, reflecting the opportunity to be considered for permanent employment after the externship.

Qualifications

• Active enrollment in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at an accredited university, graduating in 2027.
• Professional comportment and appearance, with excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, friendly attitude.
• A commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding the veterinary code of ethics.
• A compassionate, team-player attitude and a respect for clients and their pets.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Gain broad clinical experience: Receive mentorship & supervision from experienced veterinarians.
• Observe & participate: Get involved in medical and surgical procedures, the diagnostic process, and client communication when possible.
• Genuine mentorship: You won't get lost in the shuffle; the team invests in students who train here.
• Enhance diagnostic skills: Practice interpreting fecal samples, blood smears, radiographic images, urinalysis, and CBC/Chemistry panels.
• Fine-tune technical skills: Apply classroom knowledge to hands-on practice in a supportive environment.

Skills

Mentorship

Clinical observation

Team collaboration

Education

DVM program (class of 2027)

Job description

Acredale Animal Hospital – Kempsville has proudly served the Virginia Beach community since 1986, providing compassionate, comprehensive small animal care. Our commitment to treating every pet like family has earned us an excellent 4.6-star Google rating and the trust of pet owners throughout the area. Join a collaborative team that values mentorship, continuing education, and professional growth. Our full-service hospital offers wellness and preventive care, advanced diagnostics, surgery, urgent care, and advanced medical services, giving you the opportunity to practice high-quality medicine while expanding your skills in a supportive environment. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, our hospital offers the perfect blend of career growth and coastal living, with beautiful beaches, outdoor recreation, and a vibrant community that makes it an exceptional place to build a rewarding veterinary career.

DVM Mission Launch: Externship + New Graduate Opportunity

$1,000/Week Stipend | Open to the Class of 2027

We’re doing more than offering a great externship—we’re looking for the veterinarians who will join our team. This is an externship track designed for students who are ready to start thinking about where they’ll launch their careers.

Externs in this track receive an enhanced stipend of $1,000/week—double our standard rate—because this experience is tied to a hiring opportunity. This hospital has an open new-grad doctor position, and your externship here is a genuine first step toward a full-time role. You get paid, hands-on experience, and we both get the chance to see if this is the right fit for your career.

This externship is designed to give you a real, working look at what it’s like to practice here—the team, the caseload, the community, and the day-to-day. Think of it as a two-way conversation. You get to evaluate whether this is where you want to begin your career, and we get to know you as a future colleague. There’s no obligation, and there’s no pressure. But if it clicks, the path from extern to full-time doctor here is a short one.

What To Expect

• Gain broad clinical experience: Receive mentorship & supervision from experienced veterinarians
• Observe & participate: Get involved in medical and surgical procedures, the diagnostic process, and (when possible) client communication
• Genuine mentorship: You won't get lost in the shuffle. Our team invests in the students who train here
• Enhance your diagnostic skills: Practice interpreting fecal samples, blood smears, radiographic images, urinalysis, and CBC/Chemistry panels
• Fine-tune your technical skills: Put your classroom knowledge to the test and develop your hands-on abilities in a supportive environment

What You’ll Bring to the Team

• Active enrollment in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at an accredited university, graduating in 2027
• Professional comportment and appearance, with excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, friendly attitude.
• A commitment to practicing the highest standard of medicine and upholding the veterinary code of ethics.
• A compassionate, team-player attitude and a respect for clients and their pets.
• Authorization to work in the United States.