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 by March 1, 2025. 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 9, 2025 – May 31, 2026. 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
