Veterinary Extern - General Practice

Star Valley Veterinary Clinic; Soldotna (AK); On-site; USD 5,600 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel stipend

Living stipend

Job summary

Soldotna Animal Hospital offers veterinary externship experiences allowing students to work closely with supervising veterinarians. Trainees gain hands-on clinical exposure, including history taking, exams, diagnostics, and treatment planning.

Externs may observe or assist in surgeries and practice communication with the medical team and clients. Alaska permit requirements and stipend opportunities are part of the program.

Qualifications

• Final-year veterinary student eligible for externship in Alaska.
• Supervision by Associate Veterinarian; gain hands-on clinical experience.
• Must hold Alaska veterinary student permit before externship.

Responsibilities

• Gather patient histories and perform physical exams under supervision.
• Assist with diagnostics, treatment plans, dentistry, and surgical procedures.
• Provide medical management of patients and monitor progress.
• Communicate with the medical team, support staff, and clients.

Skills

Clinical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Final-year veterinary student

Tools

Stethoscope

Job description

An externship experience at an NVA hospital will give students the unique opportunity to understand the day-to-day operations of the practice, and to gain valuable hands‑on clinical experience. Although every NVA hospital is unique, we all have some things in common: an environment that is supportive, committed to excellent medicine, and provides exceptional service to animals and the people who love them.

Students will work closely with the supervising Associate Veterinarian to gain experience in gathering patient histories, performing physical exams, creation of treatment plans, diagnostics, dentistry services, observing/assisting or performing surgical procedures, and medical management of patients. In addition to practicing their clinical skills, student externs will have the opportunity to practice their communication skills with the medical team, support staff, and clients.

Most externship experiences at Soldotna Animal Hospital range from two to eight weeks depending on student and hospital schedules. We have a limited number of externship slots available. Students with an interest in practicing in Alaska post‑graduation will be given top priority consideration for rotations.

It is a requirement of the state of Alaska that veterinary students are in the final year of their education to obtain an externship in Alaska. The student must hold a veterinary student permit before beginning an externship in the state per 12 AAC 68.500 and 08.98.188 Instructions on how to obtain the permit can be found HERE .

Veterinary students who are in the clinical portion of their education are eligible for a travel/living expense stipend. Click HERE to view list of stipend amounts and HERE for details on the stipend program.