About the Program

Student Externs gain experience working in a specialty department of a high-volume referral hospital. Externs will work closely with the rotating interns, residents, and specialists, as well as the veterinary technician team. Responsibilities may vary by department but may include participating in rounds, SOAPing patients, treatments and diagnostics, House Officer Lectures, case presentations, observing client interactions and learning about case management and the workings of a multi-department hospital.

Program Location: San Marcos, CA

Program Schedule

Veterinary student externships are generally 1-4 weeks in one department for 4th-year students. Special exceptions may be made to the schedule based on the applicant’s level of expertise and the staff’s availability to accommodate longer/shorter requests. VSH hosts Western University externs for their 4-week CORE Internal Medicine and Surgery rotations as well as elective rotations on multiple services.

Externs can expect to begin work by 7 or 8 in the morning and, depending upon the department, may be called upon to put in a 12-hour day. As the hospital is a 24hr/day, 365 days/year facility, in some departments Externs will be expected to work on Saturdays.

About You

• Applicants must be fourth-year students of accredited domestic or international veterinary schools, pursuing a DVM or VMD degree.
• Students are required to have liability coverage either through their veterinary school or personal coverage through the AVMA’s student liability coverage program.
• Externs must provide their own lodging and transportation.

Externship availability

Please consult the grid below to see whether an Externship is offered at VSH in your preferred department.
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Once we’ve received your application, you will receive an email confirmation.  If your application contains all the necessary information, please allow 3-6 weeks for us to schedule and confirm your externship.