Description
POST GRADUATE VETERINARY INTERNSHIP IN AQUATIC ANIMAL MEDICINE
AT THE VIRGINIA AQUARIUM & MARINE SCIENCE CENTER
The Virginia Aquarium, Veterinary Services division, offers an opportunity for a graduate veterinarian looking to specialize in aquatic animal medicine through a Veterinary Internship in Aquatic Animal Medicine.
Applicants for the internship should be graduates of an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine, should have successfully passed the national veterinary medicine exam, and must possess a current license to practice as a veterinarian in the state of Virginia or be licensed in another state. Applicants must also be eligible to obtain licensure with the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine upon hire. Preference will be given to applicants with postgraduate clinical experience in a practice or internship setting; prior clinical experience in zoological/aquatic animal medicine; prior work experience in an Association of Zoos or wildlife rehabilitation facility; and familiarity and/or experience utilizing radiology, ultrasound and endoscopy systems. Must maintain licensures and complete all continuing education requirements for the duration of employment in this position and must have or obtain a current and valid driver’s license.
Duties:
- Clinical responsibilities:
* perform annual examinations
* administer anesthesia
* develop and implement diagnostic and treatment plans
* implement health screening and quarantine protocols
* interpret diagnostic findings
* surgical case management
* perform necropsies
* recommend humane euthanasia based on medical condition and as part of marine animal stranding response operations
* administer or supervise/authorize drug administration
- Share rotational veterinary coverage for 24/7 on-call and after-hours consultation or response for the Aquarium’s resident animals and Stranding Response Program.
- Contribute to ongoing research projects and complete a publication for submission to an appropriate scientific journal.
- Gain teaching experience by providing mentorship to veterinary and undergraduate students and participate in other informal educational programs and seminars.
- Educate Aquarium guests as a component of the main veterinary hospital, which includes a window for interactive guest experiences.
- May provide training to staff on topics related to veterinary medicine, animal health, clinical treatments, or wildlife response.
Other duties include but are not limited to:
- Utilize the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) for record keeping and work with veterinarians and registrar to maintain proper animal health records.
- Perform administrative tasks and recordkeeping required by licensing and regulatory agencies.
- Participate in cross-sectional Aquarium teams and team meetings.
- Represent the Aquarium at appropriate conferences and meetings and in news/press releases or other communications.
- Strive to further the mission of the Aquarium and avidly support the organization through participation in special events and fundraisers.
- May participate in additional research projects relating to clinical management, husbandry, welfare, behavior or conservation of managed-care and wild populations of animals.
- Perform other job duties requiring skills, knowledge and physical requirements as demanded by those duties described or less.
- Individual assignments will be determined by the supervisor based on the current workloads and department needs.
Preferences:
- Minimum of one-year postgraduate clinical experience in a practice or internship setting
- Prior clinical experience in zoological / aquatic animal medicine
- Prior work experience in an AZA or wildlife rehabilitation facility
- Familiarity and experience utilizing radiology, ultrasound and endoscopy systems
Work Schedule:
- 40 hours per week; generally Tue-Sat or Sun-Thu, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM with variable start/stop times; some after hours coverage
Deadline to submit applications: 12/27/2025
Requirements
Minimum/Special Requirements:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or equivalent degree, i.e. VMD) from an AVMA accredited college of veterinary medicine.
- Successful completion of a national veterinary medicine exam, and current license or ability to acquire license as a veterinarian within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Must maintain veterinarian licensure, and all continuing education requirements for the duration of employment in this position.
- Must have a current and valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle throughout duration of the position.
