Externship

Description of Externship:

The National Zoo offers externships in Zoo Animal Pathology in the Department of Pathology. Externships are a minimum of 6 weeks in length and will provide experience in clinical and anatomic pathology. This program is intended for students in their fourth year of veterinary school. Although there is much interaction with the Department of Animal Health, this position is not intended to provide hands-on experience in clinical medicine.

Successful candidates will be given the opportunity to perform complete post-mortem examinations of a wide variety of zoo animals and wildlife. Students will learn how to perform a thorough gross necropsy and choose ancillary diagnostic tests relevant to diseases seen. Review of histopathology will be done with a board certified pathologist. In addition, participation in the weekly pathology rounds and attendance at the daily clinical rounds is strongly encouraged.

As a part of their experience, the trainee will have an opportunity to complete a research project investigating a disease affecting zoo animals and/or wildlife during the externship. The findings from the project will be presented to pathology and clinical staff at the end of the externship, and can be modified into a presentation for the annual meetings of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians or American College of Veterinary Pathology.

Application Requirements:  
Applicant must provide documentation of rabies prophylaxis and a negative TB test within six months of your starting date. Preceptors must provide their own personal insurance.

Application Information - please supply the following:

• cover letter explaining your interests in zoological and wildlife pathology
• curriculum vitae
• two letters of reference
• a list of three possible time slots, in order of preference
• academic transcript (veterinary school)“

Contact:
Tim Walsh, DVM DACVP
Head Pathologist
Smithsonian Institution
National Zoological Park
Department of Pathology
P.O. Box 37012 MRC 5501
Washington, DC 20560
202-633-4267
202-633-8717 (fax)
Email: walsht@si.edu

Updated: 3/18/2011