Veterinary Externship 2025-2026

Job Description

Job Description

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Veterinary Externship Program

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is excited to provide veterinary students a robust learning opportunity to gain experience in clinical medicine and rescue / rehabilitation medicine of aquatic species. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, located near Clearwater Beach, FL, is supported by two clinical veterinarians, a hospital manager, and two veterinary technicians. The collection consists of bottlenose and rough toothed dolphins, North American river otters, pelicans, sea turtles, and various fish and elasmobranchs. Sea turtle and manatee rehabilitation occurs onsite while cetacean rehabilitation occurs offsite about 40min north. In addition, the Aquarium’s five-year plan includes collection additions of California sea lions, sharks and penguin habitats.

Externships are a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks in duration. Externship blackout dates include May (IAAAM conference) and Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Preference will be given to 3rd and 4th year students, but all veterinary students may apply. Externs must be currently enrolled in a veterinary degree program during their scheduled externship. International applications are welcome; however, any visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the applicant. Work hours are typically Monday to Friday 7 : 30 – 4 : 30 but may vary depending on the medical needs of the collection or rescue program. Students should be flexible if asked to work on the weekend. A rabies vaccine (current titer) is recommended if you wish to work with wildlife.

A list of affordable and safe housing options will be provided to externs; however, the student is required to secure and finance their own housing. Students should provide their own transportation to and from the aquarium and / or off-site work; parking at the aquarium is provided. There is limited public transportation in Clearwater. The nearest airport is Tampa International.

Externs will team with veterinary staff in case management, medical record keeping, assist in performing necropsies, and observe in the diagnostic laboratory onsite at CMA. Externs will also shadow the husbandry departments to broaden their knowledge of the industry. Individuals are expected to complete a research or special project and give a 30min PowerPoint presentation during the last week of the externship.

Applications for externships scheduled from July 2026 through June 2027 are due by OCTOBER 31, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by Dr. Chelsea Anderson and applicants will receive notification regarding final decisions by December 31, 2025.

Required application materials :

Letter of intent

Curriculum vitae / resume

Veterinary School transcript, electronic copy (unofficial is acceptable)

3 letters of recommendation submitted directly by author

3 sets of available dates in order of preference

Application materials can be submitted electronically via our Clearwater Marine aquarium website at the link below :

https : / / mission.cmaquarium.org / get - involved / careers / career -search /

Letters of recommendation should be submitted directly by the author via email to HRadmin@cmaquarium.org and will be added to your file. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that their application is complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE : Veterinary Extern

REPORTS TO : Senior Veterinarian

SUPERVISES : N / A

LOCATION : Onsite

EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT : N / A

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY :

The veterinary extern will shadow and support veterinary department. They will gain experience in aquatic animal medicine through daily observation, dialogue and supervised case management alongside veterinary team members.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS :

The veterinary extern will work with veterinarians and veterinary technicians in case management of collection and rescue medical cases. Learning opportunities are driven by the current caseload, but may include :

• Proficiency in general diagnostic techniques of fish and elasmobranches
• General level of understanding regarding quarantine protocols and treatments for different aquatic systems / animals
• Become comfortable collecting, processing and interpreting blood work and cytologies on a variety of animals
• Exposure to basic principles of marine mammal and sea turtle medicine
• Gain an understanding of anesthetic techniques / principles for multiple aquatic species
• Develop proficiency at performing a fish necropsy
• Become comfortable with basic clinical pathology and parasitology
• Gain cursory competence with aquatic animal ultrasound
• Competence in basic water quality parameters and life support systems
• Exposure to aquatic animal husbandry and nutrition
• Exposure to advanced diagnostic techniques (U / S, endoscopy)
• Perform literature review to aide in case management
• Develop problem solving skills and effective approaches to management of aquatic medical cases
• Complete medical records and assist in case management of cases as directed / supervised by VOD
• Complete a project / presentation (to be presented last week of rotation)

EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium reserves the right to revise job descriptions or work hours as required.

All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor / manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

Company is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Clearwater Marine Aquarium participates in E-Verify, please view the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Notice of Right to Work.