DVM Student Externship - Animal Health Care Associates
Listed compensation
$15/hour
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Company Description
Animal Health Care Associates has been a trusted part of the Martha's Vineyard community for over 45 years, providing exceptional veterinary care in a collaborative, supportive, and well-established environment.
We're seeking enthusiastic DVM students who enjoy surgery, value strong client relationships, and are excited to learn from an experienced team.
Why You'll Love Externing Here
At Animal Health Care Associates, you'll find the unique combination of a close-knit, family-oriented team and the opportunity to learn from a veterinary practice with advanced medicine. Our hospital is known throughout the island for its friendly, compassionate care and serves a diverse clientele that is highly invested in their pets' health.
We primarily care for dogs and cats (over 90% of our caseload), while also offering the opportunity to see occasional equine and other large animal patients for DVM students with mixed-animal interests.
Our doctors are encouraged to practice medicine to the fullest extent of their training. We perform a wide range of surgical and medical procedures in-house and refer cases only when truly necessary.
- Advanced Medicine & Services
- Our hospital offers comprehensive diagnostic and treatment capabilities, including:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Soft tissue surgery
- Dentistry with dental radiography
- Ultrasound
- Endoscopy
- Internal medicine
- Therapeutic laser
- Acupuncture (with a licensed veterinary acupuncturist on staff)
- Thermography
- Stem cell therapy
In-house Diagnostics
We're also continually investing in the future of our practice, with plans for facility expansion and additional equipment upgrades as the hospital continues to grow.
Our practice also participates in a collaborative after-hours emergency rotation with other veterinary hospitals on Martha's Vineyard, helping provide overnight emergency coverage for the island community.
About Martha's Vineyard
Living on Martha's Vineyard offers an unmatched lifestyle. Enjoy beautiful beaches, charming coastal towns, outdoor recreation, incredible restaurants, and a welcoming year-round community. Whether you're boating after work, exploring scenic trails, or simply enjoying the slower pace of island life, you'll quickly understand why so many people choose to call the Vineyard home.
To learn more about us, click here!
Job Description
We’re Looking For
- 1st through 4th Year Veterinary Students
- Compassionate, Team Player and Strong Communicator
- Veterinary students looking to enhance their education through real world experiences
We Offer Our Veterinary Student Externs
- Paid Externship Hours
- 1:1 Mentorship and Guidance
- Future Veterinarian Opportunity Preferences
- Future Ownership Opportunities through Partner Track Program
- DVM Mentor Network
- Flexible Scheduling
Qualifications
- Must be an Active Veterinary Student from an AVMA Accredited Institution.
- Additional Information
We Are a DRUG-Free, Smoke-Free, Equal Opportunity Employer.
Company Policy & Federal & State Laws Forbid Discrimination Because of Age, Color, Race, Religion, Sex, Disability, Sexual Orientation or National Origin
Compensation: up to USD 15 - hourly
Key Responsibilities
The extern will participate in clinical veterinary procedures, including surgery and internal medicine, under the guidance of an experienced team. They will also engage in client communication and contribute to the hospital's collaborative emergency care rotation.
Qualifications
- Education
- Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Key Skills
Veterinary Medicine Career Context
The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$28k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $27k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
Of the 40 active Veterinary Medicine listings this role was benchmarked against, 83% have no call, 75% require no weekends.
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Listed pay | $25k–$31k | Veterinary Medicine median $250k (middle half $250k–$250k)161 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost-of-living adjusted pay | ~$27k in purchasing power | Massachusetts index 105.8 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Veterinary Medicine listings in Massachusetts | 70 active | 3,101 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 83% no call · 75% no weekends40 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | Massachusetts healthcare professional listings: 33% state a sign-on bonus · 15% offer loan repayment108 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| New Veterinary Medicine listings | 962 in the last 30 days | 517 the 30 days before (+86%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Veterinary Medicine pay trend | +1.9% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
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