Description
Animal Emergency Center Externship Program
Animal Emergency Center is now accepting applications for its Veterinary Externship Program, offering third- and fourth-year DVM students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a busy, veterinarian-owned emergency and critical care hospital.
Located in Collinsville, Illinois, just 15 minutes from Downtown St. Louis, Animal Emergency Center has served the Metro East and surrounding communities since 1993. Our externship program is designed for students who want meaningful clinical exposure, mentorship from experienced emergency veterinarians, and insight into the fast-paced world of emergency and critical care medicine.
Program Overview:
Animal Emergency Center externships provide students with immersive exposure to emergency veterinary medicine in a well-established, collaborative hospital environment.
- Eligibility: Third- and fourth-year DVM students at accredited veterinary schools
- Duration: Two- to three-week externship blocks, with flexibility to accommodate university rotation requirements
- Clinical Setting: Small animal emergency and critical care, primarily dogs and cats
- Location: Animal Emergency Center, 2005 Mall St., Collinsville, IL 62062
- Housing & Travel: The practice is willing to contribute toward housing and/or travel expenses when appropriate
- Mentorship: Students work alongside experienced ER veterinarians, technicians, and support staff. Mentorship is primarily hands-on and integrated into the clinical experience.
What to Expect
- Externs will have the opportunity to observe and participate in the daily operations of a busy emergency hospital, gaining exposure to cases that may include:
- Emergency and critical care medicine
- Emergency surgery and case management
- Patient triage and prioritization
- Diagnostic imaging, including digital radiography and ultrasound
- Advanced patient monitoring and critical-care support
- In-house laboratory diagnostics
- Client communication and emergency case discussions
- Medical decision-making and treatment planning
- Collaboration with veterinary technicians, assistants, and support staff
- Patient rounds and continuity-of-care discussions
- Hospital workflow and emergency case management
Externships can be customized whenever possible to align with the student's clinical interests, educational requirements, and career goals.
Who Should Apply
This externship is well-suited for students who:
- Are interested in emergency and critical care medicine
- Want hands-on exposure to a busy emergency hospital
- Are considering a career in emergency veterinary medicine
- Value teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship
- Want to strengthen their clinical decision-making and triage skills
- Enjoy the variety and complexity of emergency cases
- Are interested in gaining exposure to emergency surgery and critical-care medicine
- Want to explore a future career with a private, veterinarian-owned emergency practice
Students interested in emergency medicine are welcome to apply, including those who are still exploring whether ER practice is the right career path for them.
Questions about the program or externship opportunities can be directed to:
Karla@dvmrs.com
