Conservation Medicine Veterinary Externship

Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) Conservation Medicine Unit is accepting applications for Veterinary Externships at the Front Royal Campus.

This is an opportunity for veterinary students in their clinical (fourth) year of study to gain experience in zoological medicine. Students will participate in all facets of the medical program, including medical records review and writing, preparation for procedures, monitoring and data recording during anesthetic procedures, hands-on exposure to clinical, diagnostic, and surgical techniques, diagnostic imaging, participation in quarantine and outgoing animal procedures, and preparation of laboratory samples under technician supervision. Students will have the opportunity to participate in clinical research as available and will complete a mentored project during the externship. Externs will also gain experience communicating and collaborating with clinicians, technicians, and research staff.

Headquartered in Front Royal, Virginia, SCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists. The Conservation Medicine Unit at SCBI functions to optimize the health and well-being of the animal collection housed at SCBI, provide veterinary expertise and support for SCBI-based research programs, and advance the health and welfare of zoo animals and wildlife locally and globally through clinical research, skilled mentorship, and service in professional organizations.

Application deadline for this position is May 30th 2025 for the 2026-2027 school year (June 2026-June 2027).

Questions about this externship should be directed to Dr. Kristi Delaski at delaskik@si.edu

This Veterinary Externship is a learning opportunity for veterinary students in their clinical (fourth) year of veterinary school. Students will participate in all aspects of the medical program with the Conservation Medicine Unit, including participation in anesthetic procedures, field procedures, and clinical research as available.

The selected extern will:

• Learn to review medical records, review relevant reading materials, and evaluate and prepare anesthetic protocols in preparation for procedures
• Gain experience in monitoring and recording anesthetic procedures, writing medical records, and performing physical exams for zoological species
• Receive hands-on training in the medical procedures, interpretating diagnostic results, and the development and implementation of therapeutic plans
• Participate in clinical rounds, preventive medicine meetings, and research planning meetings as available
• Learn about clinical investigation design and implementation, and data collection and interpretation.
• Complete a mentored project (case or case series presentation, special topic, research proposal, etc.), including a presentation for veterinary, research, and husbandry staff
• Participate in didactic learning opportunities from veterinarians and veterinary technicians based on time and staff availability, with the goal to have at least one (1) opportunity with a veterinary technician and one (1) with a veterinarian.

This is a 6-8 week externship for clinical-year veterinary students. Externs are expected to spend a minimum of 40 hours/week on site (8:00 am to 4:30 pm), with the potential for after-hours and weekend emergencies. Externs are accepted from January to mid-November, no students accepted between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

To apply, go to: https://solaa.si.edu. Select "Don't have an Account? Create An Account." Complete the information to create an account.

Information that will be requested (in SOLAA) includes:

• Basic personal information
• Professional resume or CV
• A one-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. The statement should mention relevant experience, career goals, your reasons for wanting this externship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Your statement is very important during application evaluations
• Two letters of reference
• Preferred externship dates

Once you create your account and provide the information above, you will see a screen where you select the type of appointment you are interested in. You will select:

• Type of appointment: “Internship”
• Unit of interest: “National Zoological Park”
• Program: “National Zoological Park Internship Program”
• Project: “Conservation Medicine Veterinary Externship”

IMPORTANT: Your application is considered complete when you hit “Submit.” Your SOLAA-submitted application with references must be received by the deadlines as noted above.