Request for Externship Program Approval

 

 

Program Purpose:  By participating in your externship program, we at Tri-County Veterinarians will provide vet students with a unique mixed-animal experience rich in high quality medicine and surgery.  We have four vets on staff that is assisted by the support of experienced vet techs and assistants.  Our hospital is located mid-way between Palatka and St. Augustine, Florida.  We have several mobile units that service St. Johns, Putnam, and Flagler Counties.  The main hospital is over 10,000 square feet with a full service small animal hospital.  The small animal hospital has 3 exam rooms, fully equipped surgery suite, pharmacy, laboratory, ICU ward, 40 cage dog kennel, a separate cat kennel, complete computerization, in-house hematology/serology, blood gases/electrolytes, ultrasound, and endoscopy.

 

In our large animal section we care for mostly horses and camelids; however, on a routine basis we have other species admitted to the hospital for ICU or surgery.  Our large animal hospital has 5 ICU stalls and a maternity stall, horse stocks, round pen and turn-out paddocks.  We perform extensive equine dentistry, reproduction, and lameness procedures.  Our equine surgery is limited to minor procedures at the present time.  In our large animal surgery suite, minor and major surgery is performed on other livestock species.

 

The small animal case load is consistently 7-10 medicine cases per day with 5-7 surgery cases.  Large animal in-house cases are more seasonal.   Currently, large animal cases range from 1-4 cases on-going daily.  Approximately 20 equine farm calls are performed weekly.

 

Extern Responsibilities:  The extern will be provided housing in an on-site 2-bedroom apartment that is fully equipped.  The extern will also be paid a stipend.  In return, based on the extern’s interests, the extern will be required to participate fully in each assigned case.  Participation is described as hospital administration, client interaction and education, case work-up and management, sample collections, lab tests, and assists the case veterinarian in medical procedures/surgery.  Each extern will be encouraged to engage fully in each assigned case and develop staff communications to ensure a rewarding experience in high-quality mixed-animal medicine and surgery.

 

How to Request an Externship Opportunity:  Interested students should contact Fred Springer, DVM at fred@tricountyvets.com . Based on the students area of interest, 2 letters of recommendations from clinical faculty must be supplied with a letter of intent.  Following a vet staff review, approval or denial will take approximately 5 working days.