General Information
The veterinary nurse/technician internship program is a rotating internship for graduate veterinary nurse/technicians through the Large Animal Teaching Hospitals. It is designed to offer the veterinary nurse/technician the opportunity to increase knowledge and gain practical experience in an educational environment.
Eligible candidates:
Only graduates of AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology programs will be considered. The internship is aimed at new graduates, but other veterinary nurse/technicians may be considered.
Application Process:
Candidates are required to submit an application with letter of interest, a minimum of two letters of reference, and college transcripts through the last semester completed. Application packets from candidates should be received by the University of Tennessee no later than 5 pm on March 13, 2026. USPS, FAX, or electronic submission is acceptable.
Numbers:
A maximum of 2 candidates for large animal will be selected per year.
Salary and Benefits
The veterinary nurse/technician interns will be paid at an hourly rate (current $15.00 per hour), including overtime pay. Medical insurance is provided. Veterinary nurse/technician interns may choose to live in the dormitory area in the College of Veterinary Medicine for less than the cost of outside living accommodations; space permitted ($200/mo which includes utilities). A parking pass will need to be purchased for the parking area of the dorms upon arrival.
Acceptance:
Upon acceptance into the veterinary nurse/technician internship program, the veterinary nurse/technician will receive a letter confirming the acceptance. The candidate should send a letter accepting the offer. The period of the internship will be approximately June 2026 – June 2027. Start and end dates have some flexibility.
Rotations:
There will be core, as well as elective rotations. The veterinary nurse/technician interns will be scheduled on overnight rotations, as well as weekends and holidays. Rotations will last from 1-4 weeks.
Vacations:
The veterinary nurse/technician interns may take up to two weeks of scheduled, unpaid vacation time during the year. This may include a week during December, but not necessarily the week of Christmas. There is flexibility in other scheduled time off.
Large Animal Core rotations include:
- Equine Surgery
- Equine Internal Medicine
- Equine Rehabilitation
- Farm Animal Medicine and Surgery
- Radiology
- Anesthesia
- Afterhours Emergency/ICU
Elective rotations:
- Core rotations
- Avian/Exotics
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Nutrition
- Ophthalmology
- Rehabilitation
- Behavior
- Surgery
- Large Animal – if small animal only applicant
- Small Animal – if large animal only applicant
To apply:
- Download Graduate Veterinary Technician Internship Application
- Manually fill out and complete the application along with all the required documents noted above
- Send completed application by mail, fax or email to:
Jessica Konzer Birdwell
UT College of Veterinary Medicine
ATTN: Veterinary Nursing Director
C247 Veterinary Medical Center
Knoxville, TN 37996
Tel: 865-740-6678
Fax: 865-974-5554
Email: jkonzer@utk.edu
Contact Jessica Konzer Birdwell if you have any questions, 865-740-6678
