Vet extern

Clearwater Marine Aquarium•Clearwater, FL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The veterinary extern will shadow and support the veterinary department. They will gain experience in aquatic animal medicine through daily observation, dialogue, and supervised case management alongside veterinary team members. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is excited to provide veterinary students a robust learning opportunity to gain experience in clinical medicine and rescue/rehabilitation medicine of aquatic species. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, located near Clearwater Beach, FL, is supported by two clinical veterinarians, a hospital manager, and two veterinary technicians. The collection consists of bottlenose and rough toothed dolphins, pinnipeds, manatees, North American river otters, pelicans, sea turtles, and various fish and elasmobranchs. Sea turtle and manatee rehabilitation occurs onsite while cetacean rehabilitation occurs offsite about 40min north. In addition, the Aquarium’s five-year plan includes collection additions of elasmobranch and penguin habitats. Externs will team with veterinary staff in case management, medical record keeping, assist in performing necropsies, and observe in the diagnostic laboratory onsite at CMA. Externs will also shadow the husbandry departments to broaden their knowledge of the industry. Individuals are expected to complete a research or special project and give a 30min PowerPoint presentation during the last week of the externship.

Requirements

Veterinary student currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited veterinary medicine college.

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to 3rd and 4th year students.
Externs must be currently enrolled in a veterinary degree program during their scheduled externship.
International applications are welcome; however, any visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the applicant.
A rabies vaccine (current titer) is recommended if you wish to work with wildlife.

Responsibilities

Work with veterinarians and veterinary technicians in case management of collection and rescue medical cases.
Gain proficiency in general diagnostic techniques of fish and elasmobranches.
Gain a general understanding regarding quarantine protocols and treatments for different aquatic systems/animals.
Become comfortable collecting, processing and interpreting blood work and cytologies on a variety of animals.
Gain exposure to basic principles of marine mammal and sea turtle medicine.
Gain an understanding of anesthetic techniques/principles for multiple aquatic species.
Develop proficiency at performing a fish necropsy.
Become comfortable with basic clinical pathology and parasitology.
Gain cursory competence with aquatic animal ultrasound.
Gain competence in basic water quality parameters and life support systems.
Gain exposure to aquatic animal husbandry and nutrition.
Gain exposure to advanced diagnostic techniques (U/S, endoscopy).
Perform literature review to aide in case management.
Develop problem solving skills and effective approaches to management of aquatic medical cases.
Complete medical records and assist in case management of cases as directed/supervised by VOD.
Complete a project/presentation (to be presented last week of rotation).