Temporary Externship for Veterinary Students

County of DuPage; Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) offers a Veterinary Externship designed for students seeking hands‑on experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community animal care. Externs work with experienced shelter veterinarians and a dedicated care team to provide medical care for dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small domestic species.

The program includes 2–4 week externships, ongoing year‑round opportunities, and a paid externship position with mentorship and hands‑on experience.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an accredited veterinary program as a 4th year veterinary student.
• Interest in surgery, primary care, and shelter medicine.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Commitment to compassionate, humane animal care.

Responsibilities

• Assist with and perform high‑quality, high‑volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures.
• Conduct physical exams and wellness evaluations.
• Administer vaccinations and preventive care.
• Diagnose and treat common shelter‑related illnesses.
• Support population health and disease prevention protocols.
• Learn best practices in shelter medicine and resource‑driven care.
• Collaborate with animal care, behavior, and adoption teams to promote positive outcomes.
• Assist with behavior evaluations of dogs and cats.

Skills

Surgery interest

Team-focused

Compassionate care

Education

Current enrollment in an accredited veterinary program as a 4th year veterinary student

Job description

We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Externship in our Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) offers a hands-on veterinary externship designed for students seeking meaningful experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community-based animal care. As an open-admission animal shelter, DCAS provides care for a diverse population of animals, giving externs a unique opportunity to develop clinical skills while supporting animals in need.

Externs work alongside experienced shelter veterinarians and a dedicated care team to provide compassionate, efficient medical care to dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small domestic species.

Program Structure

• Flexible externship duration: 2–4 weeks
• Ongoing, year-round opportunities
• Paid externship position
• Combination of structured mentorship and hands‑on experience

Why Choose DCAS?

At DuPage County Animal Services, veterinary medicine goes beyond individual patient care—it’s about improving outcomes for entire populations of animals while serving the community. This externship offers a realistic and inspiring look at a career path that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This position is eligible for Paid Leave hours at a proportional rate based on the number of hours regularly scheduled to work.

Externs will be actively involved in daily medical operations, including:

• Assisting with and performing high‑quality, high‑volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures
• Conducting physical exams and wellness evaluations
• Administering vaccinations and preventive care
• Diagnosing and treating common shelter‑related illnesses
• Supporting population health and disease prevention protocols
• Learning best practices in shelter medicine and resource‑driven care
• Collaborating with animal care, behavior, and adoption teams to promote positive outcomes
• Assisting with behavior evaluations of dogs and cats

What You’ll Gain

• Valuable hands‑on surgical experience in a high‑volume setting
• Exposure to a wide range of medical conditions and case management approaches
• Experience working with animals of varied backgrounds, health statuses, and temperaments
• Insight into government shelter operations and public‑facing veterinary services
• Mentorship from experienced professionals in shelter medicine
• The opportunity to make a direct, lifesaving impact on animals in your community

• Current enrollment in an accredited veterinary program as a 4th year veterinary student
• Interest in surgery, primary care, and/or shelter medicine
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment
• Commitment to compassionate, humane animal care

A pre‑employment background check is required.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.