Veterinary Student Externship

VCA Seaside Animal Hospital; Port Charlotte (FL); On-site; USD 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend for travel and lodging

Job summary

VCA Seaside Animal Hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida, is offering externships for veterinary students seeking practical experience. This unique opportunity allows students to apply classroom knowledge in a real hospital environment while receiving mentorship and gaining confidence in their clinical skills.

Externs will participate in case discussions, surgical procedures, and emergency care under the supervision of experienced veterinarians. Stipends are available to help offset travel costs.

Qualifications

• Must be a current veterinary student at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school.
• Priority for clinical-year students on official externship blocks for school credit.
• Must provide proof of professional liability insurance.

Responsibilities

• Participate in case discussions and hands-on patient care.
• Get involved in surgical cases, emergencies, and medical appointments.
• Work alongside experienced veterinarians and skilled support staff.

Job description

Overview

United Veterinary Care is delighted to host veterinary students for externships across our network of over 100 hospital locations in more than 20 states. This clinical experience allows you to apply your classroom knowledge in a real‑world hospital setting of your choice.

Our hands‑on externships are designed for clinical‑year students at AVMA‑accredited schools, typically in their 3rd or 4th year. You will share your goals at the start of your rotation and be quickly integrated into the team through participating in case discussions, collaborative problem‑solving, and hands‑on patient care in GP, ER, and specialty settings.

With opportunities across a wide variety of partner hospitals, you will gain diverse experience, mentorship, and confidence in your clinical skills. Students often describe their externships as transformative and highly supportive.

To help make these opportunities accessible, stipends are available to offset travel and lodging costs (unless prohibited by your veterinary school).

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a current veterinary student at an AVMA‑accredited veterinary school
• Priority scheduling is given to students in their clinical years on official externship blocks for school credit
• Must provide proof of professional liability insurance. SAVMA members qualify for no cost insurance by applying at the following link: SAVMA Member Benefit and Resources | AVMA PLIT

Hospital Information

Veterinary Emergency Clinic welcomes 3rd and 4th year veterinary medical students. The clinic is situated near the coast in breathtaking Port Charlotte, Florida, near Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Venice, and just a quick drive to Naples, Sarasota, and Tampa. As one of the only emergency hospitals in the area, we treat a wide variety of medical and surgical cases when daytime hospitals are closed. VEC maintains a great relationship with local referring veterinarians, who are our clients as well. If you want to preview what life is like as an emergency vet, gain confidence in emergency cases and procedures, and really put your knowledge to the test in a fast‑paced environment, an externship at VEC would be ideal.

Species Treated

• Dogs
• Cats

Services Offered

• Ultrasound
• Soft tissue surgery
• Emergency care

What to Expect from Your Externship

During your externship, you can expect to actively participate in cases and further your development toward becoming a veterinarian. Throughout your time with us, you will always be supervised by an experienced veterinarian and skilled support staff. You will be included in surgical cases, dental procedures, emergencies, sick patient workups, and routine medical appointments. You will discuss these cases with your supervising veterinarian and have them confirm your exam findings to verify whether you are on the right track before moving forward with the case as a team.