Externship Experience – Feline Veterinary Care

Job Description

Veterinary Extern – General Practice | NVA General Practice

The Tone:
This is an externship at NVA General Practice, specifically at The Feline Medical Center, an NVA hospital. NVA is committed to fostering supportive environments, delivering excellent medicine, and providing exceptional service to animals and the people who love them. This externship offers clinical year veterinary students a unique opportunity to deeply understand the day-to-day operations of a specialized feline-only practice. It is specifically designed for individuals dedicated to feline care, aiming to provide valuable hands-on clinical experience and significantly deepen their knowledge and skills in this niche field.

The TL;DR
• Role: Externship
• Type: Temporary
• Location: In-person, Houston, TX

• Team: Works closely with supervising Associate Veterinarians
• Mission: To provide clinical year students with hands-on experience in a feline-only practice, fostering deep knowledge and skills in this specialized field.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Actively participate in the day-to-day operations of a feline-only practice, gathering patient histories, performing physical examinations, and collaborating on the creation of detailed treatment plans for diverse feline cases, including internal medicine and wellness.
• Gain hands-on experience with advanced diagnostic tools and procedures, including advanced ultrasounds (FAST assessment and echocardiograms) and endoscopy (upper and lower GI), guided by veterinarians with specialized expertise like an ABVP (feline) specialist and a doctor with 13 years of ultrasound experience.
• Engage directly in feline dentistry services, observing, assisting with, or performing procedures such as whole mouth extractions supported by integral dental X-rays.
• Observe, assist with, or perform various surgical procedures and contribute to the medical management of patients, including those referred for specialized care, within a cat-friendly referral center environment.
• Develop and refine professional communication skills by interacting regularly with the medical team, support staff, and clients within a supportive and collaborative environment.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently enrolled in the clinical portion of a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Career level: Entry-Level.
• Experience: Demonstrated strong, explicit interest in and commitment to feline-only veterinary care, with a clear intent to pursue a career in a feline-focused clinic following graduation.
• Skills:
• Foundational clinical veterinary skills and diagnostic reasoning relevant to small animal practice.
• Ability to perform patient history taking, physical examinations, and contribute to treatment plan development.
• Strong communication skills for effective interaction with medical teams, support staff, and pet owners.
• Eagerness to learn and apply specialized knowledge in feline internal medicine, dentistry, and surgical assistance.