DVM Mission Launch: Externship + New Grad Opportunity

Mission Pet Health; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Externship track

Potential full-time opportunity

Mentorship from veterinarians

Job summary

Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo, IA, invites DVM students to join an externship track designed for new graduates. You will gain hands-on experience across clinical services, including surgery, internal medicine, exotics, and diagnostics while receiving mentorship from experienced veterinarians.

This externship offers a $1,000 per week stipend, with a pathway to a full-time doctor position. It’s a real first step toward your career, giving you paid experience, practical skills, and a

Qualifications

• Active enrollment in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, graduating in 2027.
• Professional comportment with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to high standard of veterinary medicine and ethics.

Responsibilities

• Gain broad clinical experience with mentorship from veterinarians.
• Observe and participate in medical and surgical procedures and diagnostics.
• Engage with clients to improve communication and care when possible.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Professional demeanor

Communication skills

Education

DVM program enrollment graduating 2027

Job description

You will find a professional home at Den Herder Veterinary Hospital, a premier AAHA-accredited practice in Waterloo. With an impressive 4.8-star Google rating, our hospital is recognized for delivering a superior standard of medical care. We offer a comprehensive suite of services ranging from advanced surgery and internal medicine to exotics and urgent care. By joining our team, you are aligning yourself with a practice that values clinical excellence and constant innovation. Your career will find the perfect environment to grow as you collaborate with teammates who are passionate about mentorship. We provide the resources you need to succeed, whether you are looking to sharpen your surgical skills or expand your diagnostic knowledge. Our collaborative culture ensures that you are part of a forward-thinking collective that celebrates professional milestones. This is an ideal setting for any veterinary professional eager to make a meaningful impact. Beyond the clinic, Waterloo offers an exceptional quality of life. Nestled in the Cedar Valley, the city provides a welcoming atmosphere with a low cost of living and short commute times. From scenic trails to the revitalized downtown riverfront, there is always something to explore. You can achieve a genuine work-life balance here, enjoying the charm of a close-knit community while having access to the diverse cultural opportunities of a growing area.

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.