Hospital for Veterinary Surgery, NY

Veterinary Surgery Clinical Rotation – Overview

This rotation is designed to provide veterinary students with focused exposure to complex soft tissue and orthopedic surgical procedures in a specialty clinical setting. During this rotation, they will have the opportunity to observe and engage in advanced surgical cases, which may include:

• Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) for cranial cruciate ligament rupture
• Fracture repairs using internal fixation techniques (plates, screws, pins)
• Liver lobectomies and other abdominal surgeries requiring meticulous tissue handling
• Complex mass removals, including those involving vascular or internal organ involvement

Students will participate in daily surgical rounds, discussing pre-operative planning, diagnostic imaging interpretation, anesthesia considerations, and post-operative care strategies. They may also be involved in or participate in discussions about:

• Patient workups and diagnostics relevant to surgical intervention
• Surgical preparation and assistance, maintaining sterile technique and supporting the surgical team during procedures
• Anesthetic monitoring and recovery, with a focus on pain management and critical care support
• Case discussions and clinical decision-making, guided by board-certified veterinary surgeons, criticalist, and anesthesiologist

This rotation will challenge students to think critically, understand the intricacies of advanced surgical procedures, and appreciate the interdisciplinary coordination required for successful outcomes. Students are encouraged to actively participate, ask questions, and engage with the surgical team to maximize their learning.

We look forward to supporting your student's continued development in the field of veterinary surgery.

Surgical Department – Staff Overview

During your clinical rotation, you will be working alongside a highly skilled and collaborative team of veterinary professionals who are dedicated to providing exceptional surgical care. Our team includes:

Veterinary Specialists

• Board-Certified Diplomates (ACVS) – Surgery
  • Our surgical team includes two diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)  specializing in advanced soft tissue, orthopedic, oncologic, and neurologic procedures.
• Board-Certified Diplomates (ACVAA) – Anesthesiology
  • Our anesthesiologist ensures optimal anesthetic planning, pain management, and perioperative support
• Board-Certified Diplomates (ACVECC) – Emergency & Critical Care
  • Dedicated post-operative in-patient support, consultation and case management, particularly for high-risk surgical and trauma patients.

Veterinary Technicians

• Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) – Anesthesia & Analgesia
  • A credentialed VTS offers advanced knowledge in patient sedation, intraoperative monitoring and intervention and pain control, especially for complex or critical cases
• Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs)
  • Our support staff includes highly trained and licensed technicians proficient in anesthesia, surgical nursing, instrument handling, and post-operative care.

Veterinary Interns

• Surgical Interns (2)
  • Our dedicated surgical interns assist with patient assessments, surgical preparation, intraoperative support, and follow-up care, and serve as an additional learning resource for students.

Support Staff

• Surgical Assistants & Patient Care Coordinators
  • Skilled support team members ensure smooth daily operations, patient handling, instrument sterilization, and surgical suite maintenance.

Our collaborative environment emphasizes teaching, mentorship, and best practices in surgical care. Students are encouraged to engage with all team members to gain a well-rounded understanding of the veterinary surgical field.

Surgical Equipment & Instruments

• Electrosurgical units (monopolar & bipolar cautery) – for precise cutting and coagulation
• Ligasure™ / vessel-sealing devices – used for hemostasis and soft tissue dissection
• Surgical staplers – for gastrointestinal and thoracic procedures
• High-speed orthopedic drills and saws – used for TPLO, fracture repair, and arthrodesis
• AO/ASIF instrumentation sets – for internal fixation (plates, screws, etc.)
• Self-retaining retractors (e.g., Gelpi, Balfour) – for optimal exposure of surgical fields
• Suction units – for maintaining clear visualization during surgery

Imaging & Diagnostic Technology

• In-house Laboratory Diagnostics- including stat chems, full chem and CBC analysis, coags, lactate
• Digital radiography (DR) – for diagnostic and peri-operative imaging
• Fluoroscopy – for real-time intraoperative imaging, particularly during orthopedic and spinal procedures
• Ultrasound – for diagnostic purposes and assistance with local and regional blocks
• CT scan (if available onsite) – for advanced imaging

Anesthesia & Monitoring

• Anesthesia machines- Sevo and Isoflurane vaporizers
• Multimodal monitoring systems – including ECG, pulse oximetry, capnography, temperature, and invasive blood pressure
• Infusion pumps and syringe drivers – for precise medication and fluid delivery
• Mechanical ventilators – for patient ventilation during anesthetic procedures
• Nerve Stimulator – for precise regional block administration

Sterilization & Surgical Environment

• Autoclaves and low-temperature sterilizers – for surgical instrument sterilization
• Surgical scrub sinks and sterile prep areas
• Positive pressure surgical suites with HEPA filtration – to maintain sterility
• LED surgical lights with adjustable intensity and focus
• Adjustable hydraulic surgical tables

Post-Operative and Recovery Support

• Intensive care units (ICU cages) – temperature and oxygen controlled
• Warming devices (Bair Hugger™, hot water blankets)
• Advanced pain management tools – CRIs (constant rate infusions), epidurals, local blocks

Student Responsibilities & Expectations

Veterinary Surgery Clinical Rotation

As a visiting student in our surgical department, you are expected to demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and a commitment to learning throughout your rotation. 

Schedule & Time Commitment

• Hours: Monday through Friday, typically from 8:00AM to 6:00 PM, with variations depending on surgical case load and patient needs.
• Days: The rotation is structured around a standard 5-day clinical week. Occasional weekend shifts or on-call opportunities may be available or required, depending on the hospital's schedule and nature of rotation.
• Punctuality is essential—students are expected to arrive on time and be prepared for morning rounds, case discussions, or surgeries.

Level of Participation

The structure and depth of your participation will depend on the length of your rotation, your level of training, and the nature of the cases seen during your time here. Depending on the case complexity, hospital policy, and your experience level, participation may range from observational to hands-on involvement:

• Observation & Discussion
  • Attending surgical rounds and case presentations
  • Discussing diagnostics, surgical approaches, and post-operative plans
  • Observing surgical techniques, anesthesia induction, and patient monitoring
• Active Support & Hands-On Involvement (where appropriate and under supervision)
  • Restraint and Handling
  • Patient Examinations and medical record-keeping
  • Assisting with patient preparation (e.g., IV catheter placement, surgical clipping, scrubbing in)
  • Monitoring anesthesia (under supervision of anesthesia team or VTS)
  • Providing post-operative care, including recovery monitoring and record-keeping
  • Handling instruments or retracting tissues during select procedures

Students are encouraged to ask questions, seek clarification, and engage respectfully with the surgical team. Your experience will be most rewarding if you take an active interest in each case and demonstrate a willingness to participate and learn.

Professional Conduct

• Maintain appropriate dress code (clean scrubs, closed-toe shoes, surgical cap/mask when scrubbed in)
• Follow all hospital protocols related to sterility, patient handling, and medical record confidentiality
• Treat all patients, clients, and staff with respect and empathy
• Come prepared: review relevant anatomy, pathology, and surgical principles related to each day’s cases

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150 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10023
United States