Humane Alliance

23,000 companion animals sterilized each year at our clinic

Extern Syllabus

The Extern Program is a two-week program (ten regular business days), during which students will be trained in all medical positions (veterinarian, technician, and assistant). Students can also opt to stay for one additional week for extra hands-on experience in our Extern Plus program.

Please note that due to the nature of our business, there can be fluctuations in patient numbers. The syllabus is therefore prone to alterations, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Monday

  • Introduction and tour
  • Instruction
    • Pre-surgical physical exam
    • Patient selection
    • Pre-op sedation protocol
    • Induction protocol
    • Surgical prep procedures
    • Patient monitoring
    • Instrument review, ligatures, pedicle tie
    • Sterile surgical technique

Tuesday

  • Patient check-in, pre-op and recheck examinations, patient selection
  • Surgical assistant position
    • Induction and intubation
    • Surgical prep
    • Patient monitoring
  • Instruction
    • Surgical techniques review
    • Drug review
    • DEA regulations and flow of controlled drugs in the practice
    • Drug records
    • Individual patient drug preparation
    • Patient records
    • Anesthesia machine operation and maintenance

Wednesday

  • Patient check-in, pre-op and recheck examinations, patient selection
  • Drug log management
  • Drug/records assistant position
  • Instruction
    • Surgical techniques review
    • Anatomy review
    • Hands-on anesthesia machine maintenance
  • Surgery (students participate in all aspects of the patient's experience)
    • Check-in
    • Drug preparation and record-keeping
    • Surgical preparation
    • Student surgery one on one with instructor
    • Patient monitoring
    • Recovery

Thursday

  • Patient check-in, pre-op and recheck examinations, patient selection
  • Instruction
    • The ABC’s of emergency protocol
    • Emergency drug protocol
    • Surgical technique review
    • Introduction to the animal transport program
  • Surgery (as above)

Friday

  • Make rounds with the transport driver
  • Arrive back at Humane Alliance mid-afternoon
  • Break for the weekend (no homework)

Monday

  • Front desk discharge and admissions protocol/procedures
  • Surgery (as above)

Tuesday

  • Front desk discharge and admissions protocol/procedures
  • Surgery (as above)

Wednesday

  • Front desk discharge and admissions protocol/procedures
  • Instruction
    • Kennel facility maintenance and disease control
    • Pack preparation
  • Surgery (as above)

Thursday

  • Kennel assistant position
  • Shelter programs
  • Feral cat programs
  • Surgery (as above)

Friday

  • Field trip to visit local area shelters
  • Program wrap-up and conclusion