Although every NVA hospital is unique, we all have some things in common: an environment that is supportive, committed to excellent medicine, and provides exceptional service to animals and the people who love them. 
An externship experience at an NVA Specialty Hospital gives students real-life clinical experience in a single or multi-specialty hospital, and the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills while working alongside experienced clinicians, board-certified specialists, current interns, and residents. Hands-on skills that may be practiced or observed include TPR’s, examinations, anesthesia, surgical procedures, catheterization, ultrasound, and other diagnostic procedures as they are available.  
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About the Program
Externships are available to veterinary students in their third or fourth year of school.  Student Externs gain experience working in a specialty department of a high-volume referral hospital.  Externs will work under the supervision of a specialist and closely with the technicians.  Responsibilities may vary by facility, but may include participating in rounds, patient treatments and diagnostics, and (when applicable) educational department meetings, as well as observing client interactions and learning about case management and the workings of a multi-department hospital.

Program Location
We currently offer opportunities at our Chicago location in Illinois.

Program Schedule
Veterinary student externships are generally 1 week in one department for third-year students and 1-2 weeks (1 or 2 departments) for fourth-year students. Special exceptions may be made to the schedule based the applicant’s level of expertise and the staff’s availability to accommodate longer/shorter requests.   

Externs can expect to begin work by 8 in the morning and, depending upon the department, may be called upon to put in an 8-12-hour day.  As all our hospitals are 24hr/365-day facilities, Externs may be expected to work on the weekends.

About You

Applicants must be third or fourth year students of accredited domestic or international veterinary schools, pursuing a DVM, VMD or foreign equivalent. 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 by Location
Please consult this table to find which hospitals offer an externship in the area you are seeking.  You will need to reference this information in the application.

 
*Please note Grayslake is not actively offering externships at this time.
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Application information
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. 

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