Veterinary Technician Student Externship Rotation

The Marine Mammal Center•Sausalito, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Veterinary Technician Externship is an exciting opportunity for students in a Veterinary Technician Program and/or approved alternate route track to become a licensed veterinary technician who are interested in increasing their technical skills, gaining experience and knowledge as a technician in veterinary medicine and leaning about the behavior, rescue, and rehabilitation of marine mammals. This externship works with our veterinary staff and the Center’s animal care volunteers to provide veterinary care for our patients, which consists of phocids, otariids, and the occasional cetaceans and sea otters. Due to the cyclic nature of our patients, our Veterinary Technician Externships are available from March through September. Each externship opportunity may vary slightly depending upon our patient load and what opportunities are available. During the externship students will be on their own trajectory, independent of any other students, depending upon their capabilities and experience. The weekly schedule of the externship will consist of: Once accepted into the program you will receive a more detailed schedule 1 Day a Week – Participating on Animal Care Crew helping with husbandry and care of animals on site 1 Day a Week – Alternating each week between the Clinical Lab and Pathology (Necropsy) 1-3 Days a Week – Participating in Clinical Rotations: Includes scheduled daily exams, procedures, sedation, and anesthesia. This externship requires a minimum of 4 weeks to maximum of 6 weeks duration, between March 1 and September 30 of 2027. (All slots for 2026 have been filled). Externs must be available 3-5 days a week, for 24 – 40 hours per week. Schedule must be flexible and may include evening shifts, weekends, and holidays. Based on various technician program requirements, exceptions may be made for length and hours per week, upon acceptance into the externship. Shared co-ed housing near the Center MAY be available for a fee. Independent transportation is required; there is no public transportation to the Center’s hospital and guest housing. Students who are accepted into the program will be asked to submit a separate application for housing.

Requirements

Students must be in their second year or equivalent of an accredited Veterinary Technician program or near completion of alternate track Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) program.
Completed anesthesiology coursework (strongly preferred).
Worked a minimum of two months in a veterinary hospital.
Provide proof of liability insurance from their school/program.
Students must be receiving university credit for their externship and are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution.
Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination.

Nice To Haves

Completed anesthesiology coursework

Responsibilities

Assist with the hospital's daily procedures, including helping prepare, monitor, and expedite numerous exams and procedures that may require sedation or anesthesia.
Assist and work directly with the staff technicians on duty to ensure all the daily tasks and preparation for the next day are complete.
Assigned to work on an animal care crew one day a week to gain husbandry experience. Duties on crew include animal handling, pen cleaning, medical charting, feeding, and medication preparation and administration.
Complete on boarding, training modules electronically.
Patient record keeping paper and data entry.
Maintaining and restocking of medical supplies.
Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, initiatives, and trainings.