Residency in Small Animal Surgery
Introduction:
This position is outside of the match
Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital (Mass Vet), a large private practice, multi-specialty emergency and referral hospital is home to a three-year small animal surgical residency. Our residency is characterized by an extremely high and varied caseload, as well as a dedicated commitment to a comprehensive didactic program that allows for successful completion of all residency training requirements outlined by the ACVS.
Qualifications:
The successful applicant will be a veterinarian (DVM or equivalent) who has completed (or is nearing completion of) a small animal rotating or specialty internship.
Clinical Objectives:
The Mass Vet small animal surgery residency program is designed to provide residents with an intensive clinical, didactic and research experience under the guidance of our surgical staff, in preparation for ACVS certification. Through case-based learning and diverse surgical experience, the participant will gain expertise in all areas of small animal surgery (orthopedic, soft tissue, emergency, neurologic, minimally invasive and oncologic) while working in a busy surgical service, in a high-volume emergency/specialty referral hospital. Our residents have ample opportunity to perform a wide variety of surgical procedures under the direct supervision of our surgeons, allowing them to gain the necessary skill and confidence to thrive. Each resident is expected to graduate with the widespread ability to perform most surgical procedures, as well diagnose, treat and manage these conditions. Furthermore, through close collaboration with other hospital departments, along with exposure to required specialty rotations in internal medicine, critical care, oncology, neurology, pathology (clinical and anatomic) and anesthesiology, the resident is expected to grow considerably as a well-rounded clinician.
Didactic Objectives:
As surgeons dedicated to the growth of well-rounded, highly skilled individuals, our program is committed to providing our residents with an educational experience beyond what is provided in the operating room and on the clinic floor. The didactic component of the training program is designed to comprehensively cover all body systems through the participation in weekly surgery case rounds, weekly educational rounds (journal club, M & M rounds, chapter reviews, cadaver/skills labs), periodic specialty service rounds (radiology, neurology) and monthly lectures provided by house officers and staff doctors. We are equally dedicated to providing our trainees with the necessary knowledge to successfully pass their Phase I and Phase II surgical competency examinations provided by the ACVS. Additionally, we encourage all residents to participate in as many continuing education opportunities as possible, including attendance at ACVS and other symposiums throughout the year.
Research Objectives:
In addition to our clinical and didactic programs, our residents and their assigned research mentor are closely supported through the ACVS research and manuscript requirement, by our relationship with Ethos Discovery. Ethos Discovery is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created by veterinarians, that functions to create scientific research that will advance veterinary and human medical science. Each resident is given ample opportunity to work directly with Ethos Discovery on a challenging project that will ultimately culminate in a published manuscript in an ACVS approved peer-reviewed journal.
Professional Growth Objectives:
Although the Mass Vet surgery residency focuses largely on helping our residents meet their clinical, didactic and research goals, we also pride ourselves on fostering leadership and professional growth in these individuals as they traverse each year of training. Opportunities are provided in the didactic setting to help foster these skills and provide the resident the framework to succeed in all aspects of their veterinary career. Residents will be held to the highest standard of leadership, professionalism, communication and medical ethics. Periodic evaluations will be conducted to ensure the resident is not only on track in the training of veterinary surgery, but also in the area of professional growth and development.
About our Surgery Service and Hospital:
Mass Vet is the home to five diversely skilled ACVS diplomates, one board-eligible surgeon and three surgery residents. We are supported by a remarkable team of skilled surgery and anesthesia technicians, several of whom hold VTS certification in anesthesia. Our busy surgery caseload is characterized by a well-balanced blend of soft tissue, orthopedic, minimally invasive, and oncologic surgery, with a significant component dedicated to complex surgical emergency and trauma surgery. Residents also have the opportunity to be exposed to interventional radiology procedures and neurologic surgery throughout their training. In additional to the Mass Vet surgeons, our collaborative team of specialists includes 2 anesthesiologists, 7 internal medicine specialists, 6 critical care specialists, 3 neurologists, 1 cardiologist, 6 radiologists, 2 ophthalmologists, and 2 oncologists. Our on-site equipment includes an Arthrex tower for arthroscopic and laparoscopic surgery, locking and conventional plating systems and external fixator hardware, several Covidien Force-Triad platforms, MRI, 64-slice CT, on-site dialysis, echocardiography, ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, digital radiology, rigid and flexible endoscopy/bronchoscopy/cystoscopy, and mechanical ventilation. Our high-volume emergency and critical service provides 24-hour care to our patients in a top-notch ICU and most of our specialty services run 7 days a week. Our in-house lab includes blood gas, and electrolyte monitoring, chemistry and CBC analysis, coagulation testing, and blood typing with a Zoetis reference lab on-site for basic and advanced laboratory needs.
Comprehensive Benefits Package Including:
- Continuing education allowance
- 2 weeks paid vacation
- Access to Ethos On-line Veterinary Library/peer-reviewed journal database
- Eligibility for Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
- Eligibility for Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Eligibility to participate in 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Professional Liability Coverage