Veterinary Externship

Are you looking for an adventure during your externship? We are a busy Tahoe area GP/ER hybrid hospital that sees it all! With a wide range of clinical offerings, we can tailor your externship experience based on your clinical interests. We offer a $3,000 travel stipend to clinical year students so you can enjoy what our beautiful area has to offer on your time off!

 Why Choose Our Externship Program?

State-of-the-Art Facility: Experience a cutting-edge 15,000 sq. ft. hospital featuring 21 exam rooms, multiple surgery and dental suites, a brand-new CT machine, and a brand-new ultrasound machine. Our hospital is equipped to handle a diverse caseload, including exotic animals, urgent care, and orthopedic cases such as TPLO surgeries.

Supportive Team & Mentorship: Work alongside 14 experienced veterinarians, including two managing doctors/co-owners who are committed to mentorship and professional development. Learn from a dedicated hospital management team focused on delivering exceptional patient care in a collaborative work environment.

Hands-On Learning & Professional Growth: Participate in real clinical cases, refine your diagnostic and surgical skills, and gain exposure to a variety of specialties.

Work-Life Balance in a Stunning Location: Just 30 minutes from Lake Tahoe, our hospital offers an ideal setting to balance clinical learning with outdoor recreation and relaxation.

What You’ll Experience:

• Engage in patient care and build client communication skills under the guidance of our skilled veterinarians.

• Observe and assist with medical, surgical, and dental procedures, including orthopedic cases like TPLOs.

• Gain experience in treating exotic animals and managing urgent care cases.

• Develop confidence in clinical decision-making and case management.

• Learn best practices in medical recordkeeping, diagnostics, and hospital workflow.

• Gain insight into hospital operations and the veterinary business model.

Who Should Apply? This externship is designed for clinical year veterinary students looking for hands-on experience in a progressive, high-volume hospital. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, clinical exposure, or a potential future employment opportunity, this program will provide invaluable insights into small animal and exotic practice.

Join Us for an Unforgettable Learning Experience! Spend time with a passionate veterinary team dedicated to your success. If you’re ready to expand your clinical skills and explore life in a thriving veterinary hospital, apply for our externship today!

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada.  Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose: Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission: Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. 

Values: Care Deeply, Do What’s Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What’s Next 

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet’s life. 

At National Veterinary Associates, we want to make sure your experience connecting with us is seamless and straightforward. Here’s what to expect when interacting with us:

- We’ll always reach out via verified LinkedIn profiles or emails ending in @nva.com

- We may also contact you via text message from an identified NVA representative for recruiting-related communication

- All job opportunities and applications are hosted on our official careers site: careers.nva.com

- There is no cost or confidential information required to apply or be considered for a position

If you have any doubts about a communication, feel free to visit our careers page to verify authenticity or email us at hiringhub@nva.com. Thank you for exploring opportunities at NVA!

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees.  The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process.  For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.