Veterinary Extern - General Practice

National Veterinary Associates; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join National Veterinary Associates for an externship opportunity that allows veterinary students to gain hands-on clinical experience in a supportive environment. Students will work closely with veterinarians to learn essential skills such as patient history gathering, diagnostics, and surgery assistance, fostering both professional development and passion for animal care.

Benefits

Travel/living expense stipend

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Veterinary students in the clinical portion of their education are encouraged to apply.
• Ability to work with supervising Associate Veterinarians.
• Engagement in hands-on clinical experience.

Responsibilities

• Gather patient histories and perform physical exams.
• Create treatment plans and assist in surgeries.
• Manage medical cases and enhance communication with the team.

Skills

Patient history gathering

Physical exams

Treatment planning

Diagnostics

Communication skills

Assisting in surgical procedures

Education

Veterinary student

Job description

An externship at an NVA hospital offers students a unique opportunity to understand daily practice operations and gain hands-on clinical experience. While each NVA hospital is unique, they share common features: a supportive environment, a commitment to excellent medicine, and a focus on providing exceptional care to animals and their owners.

Students will work closely with supervising Associate Veterinarians to gain experience in gathering patient histories, performing physical exams, creating treatment plans, diagnostics, dentistry, observing or assisting in surgical procedures, and managing medical cases. This externship also provides an opportunity to enhance communication skills with the medical team, support staff, and clients.

Externship durations at Animal Care Clinic West & Metro Cat Hospital typically range from two to eight weeks, depending on schedules. All veterinary students, regardless of class year, are encouraged to participate.

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

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading global pet care organization united by a love for animals and their owners.

Our mission is to improve the lives of pets and their owners by empowering our care teams with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects passionate professionals to foster learning and growth. We leverage technology and innovations to enhance care and simplify work. NVA supports professional development through mentorship, ownership opportunities, and more.

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. Specific benefits and compensation details are provided during the application process. For positions in Colorado, NVA complies with state-specific leave laws.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran or disability status, or genetic information. We adhere to local hiring ordinances and laws, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.