Veterinary Extern - Specialty

Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine Externship

Applicants must be third or fourth-year students of accredited domestic or international veterinary schools, pursuing a DVM, VMD, or foreign equivalent. First and second years, considered case by case.

The Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine (CBEAM) is a very busy, exotics-exclusive emergency and routine care practice that is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Our externs spend 5 days a week with us, shadowing and participating in rooms, as well as assisting with routine and emergency cases (including performing treatments and helping in surgery).

Students will work closely with the supervising Associate Veterinarians 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.

We are happy to have students with a strong interest and background in exotics spend time at our hospital.

We require a letter of intent and CV from you, as well as 2-3 letters of recommendation from advisors who can attest to your interest and experience in exotic animal medicine. The letters can be informal and sent to us via email. Please submit materials to, and make sure the subject contains "extern" or "externship."

We recommend 4 week externships, but can accommodate shorter spans.

More details:

• The schedule is generally Sundays through Thursdays but this may be modified with advanced notice.
• The work day is typically from 7:30 am to around 6 pm (when day cases are completed or transferred). Students are expected to help staff with treatments when they come in at 7:30, then attend hospital rounds start at 8 am.
• Students are expected to be available to be called in for emergency procedures overnight for at least 2 of their days with us (we can be flexible with the day schedule if you end up coming in for an extended period overnight).
• Mondays and Thursdays we have didactic rounds from 8:30-9:30 am.
• Dress code is matching scrubs or dressy casual with a lab coat (ideally lab coats or scrub jackets should not be white, in an effort to be more fear free).
• Students should arrange to have a radiation badge to assist with taking radiographs. Ask your school radiology department if they have them available for students on out rotations. If you are not able to obtain one, you just will not be able to be in the radiology room during imaging.
• There is no compensation for the externship.
• Housing: If you are in need of housing, we do have staff members who are willing to host students for a minimal cost. Please let us know if you are interested in this.

Externships at Center for Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine are designed for 3rd and 4th year students, though 1st and 2nd year students will be considered on a case by case basis.

Vinton Veterinary Hospital