Rotating Internship at an established multi-specialty / ER hospital in Seattle! Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle (VSC) has hosted interns for 15 years, and we love it.
Our goal is to help every intern find their path to success during the intern year and beyond, with a focus on case-based learning and strong mentorship from our diverse team of specialists. Our internship is an excellent preparation for many career opportunities, including positions in general practice, emergency, and advanced training / residency programs.
We are looking for highly motivated applicants who are committed to learning in a busy hospital.

Our Medicine, Your Training:
We are proud to provide top-notch care to deliver the best to the pets and pet parents of the greater Puget Sound area. Our collaborative team of specialists include internal medicine, emergency and critical care, surgery, neurology, cardiology, radiology and oncology. Our equipment and technology are state-of-the-art: on-site MRI, recently upgraded CT, C-arm, on-site dialysis, echocardiography, ultrasonography with color flow and Doppler capabilities, digital radiology, rigid and flexible endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, and major orthopedic and neurosurgical power instrumentation. Our surgical team offers minimally invasive surgical procedures such as thoracoscopy, laparoscopic and lap-assisted procedures, and C-arm guided fracture repair in addition to practicing regenerative medicine. We also provide critical care support with 24-hour staffing in our ER by internship-trained ER doctors and 7 days-a-week critical care specialists. This includes support of patients with oxygen, continuous ECG monitoring, and mechanical ventilation. Our in-house lab includes blood gas and electrolyte monitoring (EPOC), chemistry and CBC analysis, coagulation testing, and blood typing. Our ER and specialty services each have an ultrasound independent of our radiology department and interns are encouraged to develop ultrasound skills during their year.
We have invested in our internship program to provide a well-rounded educational experience. It starts with orientation, along with a FASTVet ultrasound course and CPR and procedures lab. We have dedicated weekly intern rounds and monthly radiology rounds. Each morning, our specialists and house officers attend inpatient case rounds. Our core rotations include emergency (4 months), surgery (2 months), internal medicine (2 months), critical care (1 month), neurology (1 month), general practice (1 month), oncology (2 weeks) and elective time (4 weeks). Interns rotating through the emergency service are always accompanied by a staff doctor, including holidays and overnights. Interns receive and manage their own new cases while on ER but they are not expected to manage other cases (we have a dedicated ER doctor for that). Interns have primary case responsibility from day one. A total of 4 weeks of elective time is available to each intern, which can be used to pursue educational opportunities at other Pathway hospitals or beyond. In years past, interns have used this time to attend conferences, spend time with an ophthalmologist, or learn more about physical rehabilitation. Uniforms are provided, and 40 hours of vacation time (equivalent to 1 week off clinics) is incorporated into the year.

Additional Didactic Support:
We have a reference library including current textbooks located in the intern office and are expanding direct online journal access. Funding for continuing education is provided on a case by case basis. Each intern is matched with a mentor for guidance throughout the year. Interns gain experience in professional speaking, each giving two grand rounds presentations with opportunities to also present a continuing education lecture to our technicians. Our recruiting team also has workshops on Resume, Interview & Negotiation tips. Quarterly mentor evaluations provide ample opportunity for growth.

Location, Location, Location & Connection:
Seattle is a great place to live! We have a moderate climate with sunny summers, and great skiing and snowboarding are only a few hours away. There is always something to do, with music festivals, top-notch restaurants, wine tasting, and sporting events at every turn. Take a ride on our ferry system, the largest in the United States. We are a foodie’s paradise, with great local produce and farmers’ markets, tons of breweries and wineries, and plenty of fresh seafood. We coordinate four outings with our intern class throughout the year to enjoy all Seattle has to offer, which have included kayaking, the Seattle underground tour, indoor skydiving, and painting classes. Each intern will have a personal mentor for support outside of the direct hospital setting and mentors take the interns out for decompression time up to 4 times per year.

Thrive Pet Healthcare Perks:
Additional support and perks result from the fact that the Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle is part of Thrive Pet Healthcare. Thrive is a growing company with 400 hospitals in 37 states - general practices, emergency hospitals, and specialty hospitals. That spells opportunity for you!
Like you, for Thrive ‘care’ isn’t just a word. It’s present in everything we do, driven by a dedication to the animals and families we help. We believe you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your well-being, goals, or individuality to do this. We take actions to empower you to provide the best care for pets, the people who love them, and yourself — through progressive career & learning options, benefits, and support. You will be surrounded by those who understand you, your work, and what you’re experiencing day-in and day-out. Throughout our hospitals across the country and with our university partners, Thrive is committed to supporting the education of veterinarians through externships, internships, and residencies that further what we can do for Animals and for one another.
You can learn more about all our Medical Excellence & Education programs at - https://careers.thrivepetcare.com/us/en/home#medical-exc
The Veterinary Specialty Center, as part of Thrive Pet Healthcare supports our house officers with a comprehensive benefits package including:
-Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage -Continuing Education Opportunities -PTO -Professional Liability Coverage -Thrive U for unlimited, no-cost CE -Eligibility for Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance -Eligibility to Participate in 401(k) retirement savings plan -Paid Parental Leave & Purr-ental Leave -Pet Discounts and More
At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and diversity of all our team members, pet parents, and pets. We strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all team members belong and feel empowered.

Contact Sara.Lisac@thrivepet.com