| Job Description |
Internship Position in Small Animal Emergency / Critical Care North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary MedicineRaleigh North CarolinaThomas L. Sifers, D.V.M., M.Ed.Adjunct Assistant Professor NCSU College of Vet MedDirector AHSAEC Contact myself at: SFRSTLS@AOL.COM or Dr. Kristin Foley at Phone: (919) 781-5145, (919) 781-5147, or (919) 418-4404 This is a paid internship and is run in conjunction with North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. The program will have seen 29 individuals go through it by the end of this year. We have several individuals who have gone on to residencies from this internship. Even if you don't plan on continuing into a residency this position is ideal to assist you in sharpen and developing your skills as an emergency / critical care clinician. You will work with a veteran emergency clinician at all times (they are onsite with you). You see cases at our emergency facility and then attend rounds and labs at the school. You will be primary on ~ 1200 cases throughout the year. Yes, you get to perform surgery. (It is not uncommon for you to do several GDVs during the year, just as an example.). An interest in exotics is a must since we see many birds, reptiles, pocket pets, and wildlife. You must be able to obtain a valid North Carolina Veterinary Medical License. Again, if you are not going to be offered a regular rotating internship in a university setting, then this program may be just what you are looking for. Dr. Misavage, Dr. Foley, and Dr. Hunsucker will be your supervisors/trainers and will be assisting you in familiarizing yourself with the internal running of the clinic as well as the management of your patients and clients. Initially you will be required to have them sign off on every one of your cases. While no one will dictate your medicine, it would be to your advantage to listen to and heed the advice of the senior clinicians until you develop specific treatment regimens of your own. Referring to animal care, it is important to remember that if you think it needs to be done then do it but if you do it charge for it. “Mission Goal “of the Clinic: Every animal that comes in alive, leaves alive (unless euthanasia is supposed to be performed). Animals are to be cared for in a humane manner as if they were your own pets, every client leaves happy, and we cause no problems for the referring veterinarian. Obviously, this goal is not reached with every case, but it is still what we strive for. We are a TEAM and no one member is more important than another. Your relationship with the technicians will be a very important part of your existence here. As in any hospital, if the technicians have a good perception of you and your medicine then your life will be easier. If you have a problem with one of them and it can wait, after discussing it with the technician in private bring it up with either one of the supervising technicians, your senior clinician, or Dexter. In the unlikely event that a technician is causing a life-threatening problem then of course, correct their behavior immediately and then report it. Remember they are your coworkers and maintaining a positive working relationship with them will greatly benefit all. Part of your education while here will be learning how to manage all aspects of an EC this includes handling personnel problems. Treat the technicians, as you would like to be treated. - Gossip is a poison and can reek havoc in any organization, so don’t and if you hear it kill it.
- As a professional, you should not use unprofessional language no profanity should be used in the clinic.
- If you dirty dishes then wash them.
You may share a bedroom with other interns and may share overnight duties. Be considerate of each other and work out “housekeeping” details ASAP. Dress codes are despised, but there are standards expected at the hospital. If you want to be comfortable, wear scrubs with a lab coat. Male (no, I’m not being sexist) doctors should have on a tie with a nice shirt and pants. Female doctors, ultimately, should wear a dress or nice “suit” while seeing clients. I realize that this may quickly become cost prohibitive this is why you are provided with two sets of scrubs. If these become damaged during the year then please let Mary or myself know, and I will see about replacing them. Be Awake, Look Awake, Act Awake, and Look/Act Professional at all times. Speaking of awake, remember it is a privilege to get to sleep. Don’t make the techs or other clinicians “pay” if you have to be awakened, they are acutely aware of your need for rest and will only get you when they feel it necessary. Even though you are Doctors, and will be treated as such by all, you should realize that you will be expected to help with vitals, treatments, and diagnostic procedures for all cases in the hospital when needed. Keep alert and jump in to help without being asked. In the same vein, if a table or cage is dirty and all the technicians are busy, then clean it (they will LOVE you for it). The following is a short list of what will be required of you (in addition to normal clinician duties) during your intern year: 1. You will be evaluated by supervising veterinarians after you have been here four to five months and again (if needed) at six to nine months. 2. You must review / learn the information contained with-in the technician training manual. 3. As part of your training (to enable you to survive and thrive in most Emergency Clinics), you will be expected, after a period of time, to handle the entire hospital and its caseload by yourself. This may sound scary but it is an essential part of your on the job training. You will not actually be left alone during this “simulation” but will have support of your training veterinarian to fall back on if needed. So, as quickly as possible you should be working on multiple cases at the same time. Your ultimate goal should be to see every case that walks through the doors on your own as you will be alone in most Emergency Clinics. 4. Attend the following at NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine when your duties at the EC have been met and not before: (Note: the day and times may vary). a. Weekly Critical Care/Cardiology Rounds (Friday at 8:00 AM)b. Weekly House Office Rounds (Wednesday at 8:00 AM)c. Any special events, wet labs, etc., conducted by Dr. Hansen.d. At least two hours every month in the ICU at NCSU (your choice of times). Proof of your presence is required. It is suggest you keep a log of cases observed in the ICU. e. Sometime during your year here a two week period with Dr. Hansen. This will be Monday through Friday approved by Dr. Sifers and Dr. Hansen. You must still fulfill your EC weekend commitments during this two-week period. (Note: The time of rounds and the actual rounds you are required to attend may vary depending on your initial interview with Dr. Sifers and Dr. Hansen.) 5. You will need to keep a personal log of all cases you have seen. The technicians will not you’re your records separate during the work period so you must keep up with this. Before the next work period all records will be filed, as such you will have a difficult time finding all the information you require, so again, stay on top of this. We will be using this log to evaluate how you are handling your cases. It will also serve as a record of how many cases you have seen and their outcome. The log should include: a. date and timeb. client namec. client phone #d. referring vete. patient namef. presenting problemg. a very brief clinical presentationh. your differential listi. your treatmentj. out comek. client follow-up (you will be required to follow up with the client on at least 10 cases each month)l. referring vet follow-up (you will be required to follow up with the referring vet on at least 10 cases each month) (Note: I realize this seems like a lot, but it will help you in the long run and you may be as brief as you feel is necessary.) 6. You will have to prepare and submit for publishing at least one case report during the year. In addition, you will have to present in rounds at the school. It has been suggested that you combine the two and provide me with a copy of your rounds presentation in lieu of a publishable case report and that will be acceptable to me. It is recommend that you start looking for “that case” as soon as possible. If you are going the publishing route, a rough draft of your report is due to Dr. Hansen and myself no later than Feb 15, 2008. 7. You may trade days among yourselves; however, any schedule changes will require written approval by your senior clinician(s) and Dr. Sifers. No exceptions. 8. While your schedule is normally seven days on and seven days off you may be required to fill in during times of natural disasters (hurricanes, ice, snow etc.), each others sickness, or absence. 9. If you have a problem or perceive a potential problem then notify your senior clinician. Keep them informed!!! 10. Need advice on a case??? Ask your senior clinician before running it by your peers. USE THEIR EXPERIENCE !!!! I want this to be an enjoyable, exciting year of learning and for you all to achieve the goals you have set for yourselves. If you have any questions that your senior clinician or technician cannot answer, then please contact either Dexter or myself at anytime day or night. Thomas L. Sifers, D.V.M., M.Ed.Director AHSAEC, Adjunct AssistantProfessor NCSU College of Vet Med CC: Drs. Misavage, Foley, Hunsucker and HansenBoard of Directors AHSAECDexter Additional Information: The start date is somewhat flexible, June 1 is the usual, but if needed, we can modify some. There are four other veterinarians working in the practice in addition to the interns. We have a condo for the interns; it is close to the school and is quite nice. Your pay is deducted $230 a pay period for this. It includes everything except phone and cable. You share it with the other intern (you will see very little of each other since you alternate weeks on and weeks off). Salary will be, depending on other benefits (22 to 23K). If you choose not to live in the condo, your salary will be adjusted down. Typical work week is Monday – Thursday, 5:30 pm till the following morning at 8:00 am and Friday 5:30 pm till the following Monday morning at 8:00 am, then the next week off until the following Monday evening. If you like to talk to one of the current interns or training clinicians, call the clinic at (919-781-5147) and request to speak Dr. Hefley or Dr. Pope (two current interns). Dr. Misavage, Dr. Foley and Dr. Hunsucker are the current training clinicians. Please contact me as soon as possible if you are interested as these positions have gone very quickly in the past. |
