Erie Zoo Internship & Externship Opportunities
Erie Zoo Veterinary Student Preceptorship Program
The Erie Zoo offers a 4 to 8 week rotation through the veterinary department for fourth year veterinary students (or equivalent). Students will participate in all aspects of the Zoo's medical program including preventative medicine (parasite surveillance, vaccination, routine physical exams), quarantine programs, surgery, anesthesia, nutrition, behavioral enrichment, husbandry, and management.
Through this preceptorship, preceptors will:
- Gain experience developing anesthetic protocols, recording and monitoring anesthetic procedures
- Gain experience by participating in all facets of the medical program at the Erie Zoo including preventative medicine, quarantine programs, surgery, post-mortem examination, nutrition, behavioral enrichment, husbandry and management
- Learn to review medical records in preparation for procedures, complete reading as assigned by clinicians and perform physical examinations on a variety of zoological species
Veterinary preceptor duties and responsibilities
- Attend bi-monthly ACZM Journal Club
- Attendance at the zoo Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm+, some weekends/holidays
- Participate in daily morning meetings to review and prepare for daily cases
- Complete a project to present at the end of the internship on a subject of the supervisor's and student's choosing
- Observe and participate diagnostic, treatment, and nutritional plans, and activities under guidance as appropriate
- Assist veterinary technician staff with treatments and other assigned tasks
Qualifications
- Fourth-year veterinary student, or equivalent, at time of the preceptorship
- Interest in zoological/wildlife/conservation medicine
- Negative tuberculin skin test within six months of rotation
- Proof of up-to-date rabies prophylaxis or proof of adequate titer against rabies during the past 2 years
- Influenza vaccine and SARS-CoV2 vaccine & booster
- Student responsible for obtaining approval from their academic institution
- Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
- Ability to work well independently and with a team
- Ability to communicate openly and professionally
- Willingness to ask questions, take initiative to research answers, and collaborate with the team towards solutions
Stipend, Transportation, and Housing:
This is an unpaid preceptorship. Preceptor will be responsible for all transportation costs and personal health insurance. Transportation is not provided. Parking is free at the zoo. The preceptor will make his or her own housing arrangements, but assistance to help find inexpensive housing options available upon request.
Please include the following in your application:
- Curriculum vitae
- One page letter of intent stating your interests in zoological/wildlife medicine and long-term career interests
- List of three possible 4-8 week time slots in order of preference (include in cover letter)
Applications are continuously being accepted. All applications must be submitted electronically to resume@eriezoo.org.
