Veterinary Technician Student Externship Rotation

Location of Program: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California
Reports to: Animal Care Satellite and Training Manager, Lauren Campbell
Program Classification: Seasonal externship/rotation: February 1 – September 30, 2025
Benefits: No benefits

Program Overview

The Veterinary Technician Externship is an exciting opportunity for students in a Veterinary Technician Program and/or approved alternate route track to become a licensed veterinary technician who are interested increasing their technical skills, gaining experience and knowledge as a technician in veterinary medicine and leaning about the behavior, rescue, and rehabilitation of marine mammals. This externship works with our veterinary staff and the Center’s animal care volunteers to provide veterinary care for our patients, which consists of phocids, otariids, and the occasional cetaceans and sea otters.

Due to the cyclic nature of our patients, our Veterinary Technician Externships are available from February through September. Each externship opportunity may vary slightly depending upon our patient load and what opportunities are available. During the externship students will be on their own trajectory, independent of any other students, depending upon their capabilities and experience.

The weekly schedule of the externship will consist of:  

Once accepted into the program you will receive a more detailed schedule  

1 Day a Week – Participating on Animal Care Crew helping with husbandry and care of animals on site

1 Day a Week – Alternating each week between the Clinical Lab and Necropsy

1-3 Days a Week – Participating in Clinical Rotations: Includes scheduled daily exams, procedures, sedation, and anesthesia

This externship requires a minimum of 8 weeks to maximum of 12 weeks duration, between February 1 and September 30 of 2025. (All slots for 2024 have been filled). Externs must be available 3-5 days a week, for 24 – 40 hours per week. Schedule must be flexible and may include evening shifts, weekends, and holidays. Based on various technician program requirements, exceptions may be made for length and hours per week, upon acceptance into the externship.

Shared housing near the Center MAY be available for a fee. Independent transportation is required; there is no public transportation to the Center’s hospital and guest housing.  Students who are accepted into the program will be asked to submit a separate application for housing.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the hospital’s daily procedures, including helping prepare, monitor, and expedite numerous exams and procedures that may require sedation or anesthesia.
• Assist and work directly with the staff technicians on duty to ensure all the daily tasks and preparation for the next day are complete.  
• Assigned to work on an animal care crew one day a week to gain husbandry experience. Duties on crew include animal handling, pen cleaning, medical charting, feeding, and medication preparation and administration.  
• Complete on boarding, training modules electronically.  
• Patient record keeping paper and data entry.
• Maintaining and restocking of medical supplies.  
• Willingness to support and participate in the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, initiatives, and training.

Qualifications and Experience

• Students must be in their second year or equivalent of an accredited Veterinary Technician program or near completion of an alternate track Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) program.
• Worked a minimum of two months in a veterinary hospital.
• Provide proof of liability insurance from their school/program.
• Students must be receiving university credit for their externship and are responsible for making all arrangements with their educational institution.
• Students are responsible for informing their supervisor at the start of their externship of any skills they need to gain or any requirements, evaluations, or projects they need to complete during the externship.

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds throughout the primarily outdoor hospital for extended periods of time in variable weather conditions.
• Ability to physically restrain and interact with large and potentially dangerous marine mammals in the rehabilitation hospital setting.
• Hospital environment with use of potent anesthetic drugs, radiographic and other diagnostic procedures indoors and outdoors.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position and/or move in an office environment for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to walk/cover up to 5 miles during a shift on a frequent basis.  
• Ability to accept long hours and unpredictable schedules, including weekends, evenings, and holidays.

Work Environment  

• Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements daily.
• Exposure to sharp instruments and needles.
• Risks associated with animal handling such as animal bites or scratches.
• Potential exposure to formalin.
• Potential exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
• Involves strong smells associated with dead animals and the care of animals.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

To Apply: Applicants must submit all the following materials to be considered for this program: incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

1. Cover letter outlining the applicant’s interests and professional goals.
2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Name, email address, and phone number of at least two professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from hr@tmmc.org directly to your references.

Application period is open through November 22, 2024. The selection process will occur in December 2024, with notification to applicants to follow by end of January 2025.

Inquiries beyond the guidelines above can be directed to the following email address, but please review the information thoroughly prior to contacting:  training@tmmc.org