Temporary Externship for Veterinary Students

JOB We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for a Veterinary Externship in our Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services (DCAS) offers a hands-on veterinary externship designed for students seeking meaningful experience in shelter medicine, surgery, and community-based animal care. As an open-admission animal shelter, DCAS provides care for a diverse population of animals, giving externs a unique opportunity to develop clinical skills while supporting animals in need.

Externs work alongside experienced shelter veterinarians and a dedicated care team to provide compassionate, efficient medical care to dogs, cats, rabbits, and other small domestic species.

Program StructureFlexible externship duration: 2-4 weeksOngoing, year-round opportunitiesPaid externship positionCombination of structured mentorship and hands-on experienceWhy Choose DCAS? At DuPage County Animal Services, veterinary medicine goes beyond individual patient care—it's about improving outcomes for entire populations of animals while serving the community. This externship offers a realistic and inspiring look at a career path that is both challenging and deeply rewarding.

DuPage County is an Equal Opportunity EmployerThis position is eligible for Paid Leave hours at a proportional rate based on the number of hours regularly scheduled to work.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Externs will be actively involved in daily medical operations, including: Assisting with and performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries and other surgical proceduresConducting physical exams and wellness evaluationsAdministering vaccinations and preventive careDiagnosing and treating common shelter-related illnessesSupporting population health and disease prevention protocolsLearning best practices in shelter medicine and resource-driven careCollaborating with animal care, behavior, and adoption teams to promote positive outcomesAssisting with behavior evaluations of dogs and catsWhat You'll GainValuable hands-on surgical experience in a high-volume settingExposure to a wide range of medical conditions and case management approachesExperience working with animals of varied backgrounds, health statuses, and temperamentsInsight into government shelter operations and public-facing veterinary servicesMentorship from experienced professionals in shelter medicineThe opportunity to make a direct, lifesaving impact on animals in your community

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

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

Heavy Work:

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.