Rotating Internship

12 month Professional Internship Program for Graduate Veterinarians:

Montana Equine is seeking qualified applications for a one-year internship in equine internal medicine and surgery. We work hard to foster a balanced internship, with a mix of direct and indirect supervision, and our interns finish their year with a strong knowledge and clinical skills. Interns rotate through internal medicine, surgery and lameness services under the direct supervision of our senior veterinarians. As their skills increase, interns also see clinical cases, with all case-management decisions still being made under the guidance of our senior veterinarians. We also offer a balanced approach to the various facets of real-world practice: our interns are encouraged to develop not just their clinical skills, but also their ability to communicate effectively, since both skills are so critical in successful practice.

Qualifications:

Successful applicants are highly motivated, and interested in working as part of a team of talented equine veterinary professionals. They will hold a DVM/VMD or equivalent degree, or will anticipate completion of their degree prior to start-date in early Summer.

How to Apply

Montana Equine’s one-year professional internship program is open to senior veterinary students and other graduate veterinarians. Although a visit to the practice is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended.

We request the following materials:

A letter of intent, outlining the applicants goals and reasons for application to this program;
Curriculum Vitae;
Three Letters of Recommendation (at least two of which should be written by a veterinarian);
Transcripts from their Veterinary Program

Please contact Megan Triplett via email (megan@mtequine.com) or phone (406-285-0123)

We have identified specific skill areas and goals for interns. By the end of the 12-month internship, our graduating interns should be able to comfortably perform the following core components of equine practice:

Core Components

Surgery:

During their surgery rotations, the intern will assist with a variety of surgical procedures. Commonly performed procedures include orthopedic procedures (especially arthoscopic evaluation and treatment), airway surgeries and soft-tissue procedures (especially colic surgery). This exposure is expected to help establish basic surgical decision-making and technical skills. Following their internship, most interns will be competent to perform routine procedures and will have obtained the essential training for entry into a surgical residency.

Internal Medicine:

During their internal medicine rotations, the intern will assist with most advanced internal medicine procedures. Commonly performed procedures include abdominal and thoracic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsies, management of equine metabolic syndrome and Cushing’s disease, as well as respiratory evaluation and treatment. Following their internship, most interns will be competent to perform routine procedures and will have obtained the essential training for entry into an internal medicine residency.

Routine lameness:

Interns are given the opportunity to participate in routine lameness exams and treatments. We anticipate that they will become comfortable with most routinely performed evaluations and diagnostic procedures, especially including nerve and joint blocks, as well as diagnostic radiology and ultrasound.

Routine Reproductive Care:

Evaluation of breeding soundness, including rectal palpation, ultrasonography and artificial insemination. Interns will also assist in management of problem mares, freezing semen and embryo transfers.

Obtain and Interpret Radiographs:

Interns obtain radiographs of all core anatomic regions, especially including axial skeletal studies (musculoskeletal), but also special exams such as cranial/dental/sinus studies, cervical spine, thoracic and abdominal exams. They will become experience offering evaluation and interpretation of routinely performed studies.

Performing Ultrasound Examinations:

The intern will assist in performing advanced exams, such as complete abdominal and thoracic scans, ultrasound-guided biopsies, transabdominal fetal ultrasound, advanced musculoskeletal exams and echocardiograms.

Perform Endoscopy:

Interns assist with endoscopy and treatment of the upper airway and guttural pouches, and lower respiratory tract. They also perform endoscopy of gastrointestinal structures, including esophageal and gastroscopic evaluation and treatment.

Performing Routine Dental Treatments:

Interns will become proficient at evaluation and treatment of common dental procedures, including floating, as well as other routine work such as removal of deciduous caps, wolf tooth extraction, etc. Interns will regularly assist in advanced dental procedures, such as sinus lavage, periodontal treatments and standing cheek-tooth extractions.

Routine and Emergency Field Service:

We see a wide variety of cases on field service and in-house emergency. Interns will become comfortable with this type of work by the end of their internship. Cases include basic preventative medicine such as vaccination and de-worming, routine surgeries like castrations and caslicks, and emergencies, especially lacerations and medical colic.

Anesthesia:

Interns will perform injectable and inhalant anesthesia for routine and critical care cases. They will be trained in the use and evaluation of blood gas analysis, constant rate infusions and other advanced techniques.

Professional & Personal Development:

As an active member of the local and regional equine community, we anticipate that each intern will contribute by presenting a talk or writing an article in the local press. Interns are also exposed to many aspects of veterinary practice management. There are opportunities to dig deeper into aspects of management, including marketing and outreach, establishing financial benchmarks, enhancing profitability, and other areas.

We encourage each professional veterinary student to identify and pursue other interests, veterinary-related and otherwise during .