Temporary Externship for Veterinary Students
About The Position
We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Externship in our Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) offers a hands-on veterinary externship designed for students seeking meaningful experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community-based animal care. As an open-admission animal shelter, DCAS provides care for a diverse population of animals, giving externs a unique opportunity to develop clinical skills while supporting animals in need. Externs work alongside experienced shelter veterinarians and a dedicated care team to provide compassionate, efficient medical care to dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small domestic species. This externship offers a realistic and inspiring look at a career path that is both challenging and deeply rewarding. DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is eligible for Paid Leave hours at a proportional rate based on the number of hours regularly scheduled to work.
Requirements
- Current enrollment in an accredited veterinary program as a 4th year veterinary student
- Interest in surgery, primary care, and/or shelter medicine
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Commitment to compassionate, humane animal care
- A pre-employment background check is required.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with and performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical procedures
- Conducting physical exams and wellness evaluations
- Administering vaccinations and preventive care
- Diagnosing and treating common shelter-related illnesses
- Supporting population health and disease prevention protocols
- Learning best practices in shelter medicine and resource-driven care
- Collaborating with animal care, behavior, and adoption teams to promote positive outcomes
- Assisting with behavior evaluations of dogs and cats
Benefits
- Paid externship position
- Flexible externship duration: 2–4 weeks
- Ongoing, year-round opportunities
- Combination of structured mentorship and hands-on experience
- Valuable hands-on surgical experience in a high-volume setting
- Exposure to a wide range of medical conditions and case management approaches
- Experience working with animals of varied backgrounds, health statuses, and temperaments
- Insight into government shelter operations and public-facing veterinary services
- Mentorship from experienced professionals in shelter medicine
- The opportunity to make a direct, lifesaving impact on animals in your community
- Paid Leave hours at a proportional rate
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
