Pets First Hospital, OK

Pets First Hospital, a small animal only hospital located in rural Northeast Oklahoma. We are pleased to offer a clinical externship opportunity for veterinary students in their final year who are seeking hands-on experience in a supportive and engaging environment. 

Our externship is a two-week program designed for one student at a time to ensure individual attention and maximum participation. Students will gain exposure to a wide range of preventative and emergency medical services, including direct involvement in surgical procedures. We believe in providing a learning experience that is both educational and practical, with a strong focus on mentorship and skill development.

Our clinic is located in Chelsea, OK. The northeastern Rogers County community of Chelsea lies on historic Route 66.  

We have 1 full time Doctor, a Practice Manager, and several support team members to facilitate our doctors to have a better work/life balance. We have digital radiology, ultrasound, in-house Abaxis and Idexx blood machines, and fully stocked pharmacy in our brand new 6000 sq ft building. We are open 5 days a week Monday - Friday 8 am- 6 pm, and offer general and emergency care, surgery, and reproduction services for small animals and exotics.

We are open 5 days a week Monday - Friday 8 am- 6 pm. We close 12-1 for lunch each day. Our program is designed to allow the student to shadow and to also have hands on experience. Below are the key catagories for learning opportunities. 

Catagories:

Diagnostics & Lab

Blood draws, catheter placement, in‑house cytology, test interpretation

Imaging

Radiographs, ultrasound assistance & interpretation

Clinical Management

SOAP case logs, exams, diagnostics, treatment plans

Surgery & Anesthesia

Assisting in routine surgeries, intra‑op monitoring, recovery care

Emergency or Specialty Care

Triage, trauma cases, critical care monitoring, case rounds

Client Communication

History‐taking, discussing plans and discharge instructions

Professional Behavior

Respectful teamwork, active learning, log‑keeping, self‑advocacy

🔬 Diagnostic & Laboratory Work

• Drawing blood (jugular, cephalic, saphenous veins)
• Placing IV catheters and handling fluid therapy
• Running in-house lab tests (CBC, chemistry panels, thyroid, heartworm, urinalysis, cytology: ear swabs, skin scrapes, aspirates)
• Interpreting lab results and collaborating with supervising DVMs on diagnoses and treatment plans 

🩻 Imaging Support

• Assisting with radiographs: positioning animals and assisting with image capture
• Assisting or shadowing ultrasound exams (abdominal, thoracic, echocardiography, pregnancy scanning)
• Discussing image findings in interpretation rounds with clinicians 

🩺 Clinical Patient Management

• Conducting physical examinations and taking complete histories
• Developing SOAP-style patient logs/case records
• Proposing master problem lists and diagnostic/treatment plans under DVM supervision
• Executing routine procedures such as vaccinations, discharge counseling, discussing wellness/preventive care—especially for senior or routine visits 

🪡 Surgical & Anesthesia Exposure

• Scrubbing in and assisting in routine surgeries (spay/neuter, mass removals, exploratory, soft tissue, orthopedic cases, c‑sections)
• Participating in anesthesia monitoring (including drug calculations), intubation, intraoperative support and post‑op care monitoring 

🏥 Emergency & Specialty Practice 

• Triage support: assisting emergency caseload intake, trauma assessment, resuscitation protocols.
• Participating in emergency medical procedures, monitoring critically ill patients
• Attending rounds, case reviews, and collaborating in critical care planning 

👩‍⚕️ “Doctor‑of‑Record” Duties

• Acting in the role of a clinician: examining chosen cases, discussing diagnostic plans, and presenting to supervising vets
• Communicating client appointments: explaining treatment plans, consent discussions, estimates, and follow-up instructions
• Offering alternative treatment options to accommodate client constraints 

💼 Professional Conduct & Learning Activities

• Interacting respectfully and professionally with staff, technicians, and veterinarians
• Keeping a clinical case log (often SOAP format) for all cases seen during the externship

21951 E. 340 Rd.
Chelsea, OK 74016
United States