Equine Undergraduate Internship (January-June)

As one of the oldest and largest equine hospitals in the world, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute has a long history of fostering the next generation. Join our team of 60+ veterinarians for an internship experience in the heart of horse country! Our foundational program is a 6-month January – June internship to span the breeding and foaling season- the most magical time of year here in Lexington, KY. Our programs are designed to support hands-on, didactic learning in an immersive environment to strengthen technical skills and prepare students for their next step - whether that is vet school, entering farm management, beginning a technician career, or any other facet of the equine industry.

Internal Medicine:
The interns in the internal medicine program work closely with our boarded internal medicine specialists and receive hands-on experience in the world-class McGee Medicine Center, which sees over 350 neonates each season. This program is a fabulous way to gainemergency and critical care exposure, and to strengthen technical skills in a fast-paced, didactic learning environment.

Field Care:
Ambulatory interns are paired with a singular field care veterinarian, hand chosen to match the intern’s goals and interests. Ambulatory interns get to gain experience on a variety of Central KY farms, being fully emersed in the equine veterinary activities that make the breeding season in the Bluegrass so unique. This program is perfect for students that enjoy individual mentorship and prioritize networking.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Maintain appropriate stock of medical supplies in Veterinarians work vehicle
• Maintain accurate patient charts, document observations and properly interpret veterinary instructions.
• Set up for basic procedures.
• Assist veterinarians with procedures as directed.
• Able to read and work/type on a computer while in a moving vehicle.
• Maintain clean workspace including but not limited to: vacuuming and cleaning vehicle interior and veterinary equipment.
• Other projects and responsibilities as assigned.
• Assists others as needed.
• Special projects and additional duties as directed by the supervisor(s), veterinarian(s) or a member of management.

Expectations:

• To have a positive attitude
• To treat other people with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position.
• To be dependable and punctual on working hours scheduled and to be willing to stay beyond scheduled hours if needed.
• To be a self-starter and take the required initiative to perform all tasks successfully.
• To obtain required knowledge and skills relevant to the technician job responsibilities.
• To contribute to the overall team by utilizing your skills and knowledge to achieve performance excellence.
• To assist in achieving and maintaining high quality standards in the overall care and needs of patients.
• To maintain confidentiality with regards to client-patient rights.
• To conduct oneself professionally as a representative of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute refraining from inappropriate language and behavior.
• To constructively communicate progress, problems or other issues requiring attention to the appropriate supervisor, doctor or member of management.
• To offer solutions and demonstrate a positive attitude when dealing with clients, supervisors, doctors, management, other team members, and outside vendors or suppliers.
• To give guidance to other personnel in understanding the importance of adhering to procedures and proper protocol in the areas of treatment, patient care and safety standards.
• To administer treatments in a timely and efficient manner, adhering to the exact specifications of the appropriate doctor.
• To maintain a professional appearance and a courteous attitude.
• To maintain a clean/sanitary and well-organized work/service area at all times.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Excellent horse handling skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Legible handwriting and good computer skills
• A valid driver’s license

Experience:

• Must have equine experience

Language Ability:

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general technical procedures.
• Ability to write/document technical information and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from doctors, other staff and clients.

Math Ability:

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, and volume.
• Ability to apply simple math formulas.

Reasoning Ability:  

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:  

• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have general computer software knowledge and keyboarding skills.

Certificates and Licenses:  

• Veterinary Technician License preferred but not required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  

• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is

• frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles;
• frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals;
• occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather);
• regularly works near moving mechanical parts; experiences outdoor weather conditions, and the risk of electrical shock;
• occasionally exposed to low levels of radiation.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is 

• frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.
• frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• occasionally required to sit; climb or balance and smell.
• regularly lift and /or move up to 100 pounds, and
• frequently may be required to exert force on more than 100 pounds, which includes holding and restraining a horse (average 1200 Lbs)

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Specific horse handling and restraining skills.

Schedule

As per shift hired for: 

• Day Shift 
• Schedule and Hours Are Variable
• Overtime as directed. All time off to be pre-approved by supervisor.