Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Residency
Program Information
Veterinary Specialty Hospital – Sorrento Valley (VSH – Sorrento Valley) is a state-of-the-art multispecialty hospital where practicing the highest caliber of evidence-based patient care is of the utmost importance.
This three-year residency program is designed to provide intensive clinical training in emergency and critical care. The residency program meets all ACVECC requirements and is designed to prepare the resident for successful completion of diplomate board exams with the 5 residents who completed the current program passing boards on the first attempt. The intent of this training program is to maximize the opportunities available in a busy, exceptionally equipped, medically progressive private practice, while also providing enhanced didactic content.
The caseload of the hospital is diverse, with dedicated clientele allowing for frequent opportunities to manage cases requiring mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis/apheresis, complex trauma cases, multi-pressor dependent septic patients and interventional procedures such as pacemakers, stents and SUBs. Our ER and specialty services receive many secondary and tertiary referrals from local GPs, ERs and specialty clinics. Specialty equipment includes several video endoscopes, bronchoscopes, laparoscopes, two digital radiology units, on-site MRI and CT, C-arm fluoroscopy, digital fluoroscopy, linear accelerator, two ultrasounds with color and power doppler capability, two portable ultrasound machines for ER/ICU use, cardiac telemetry units, high-flow nasal oxygen, two long-term mechanical ventilators and an on-site blood bank that stocks both canine and feline products, including multiple kinds of platelet products. The six operating rooms, ICU and ER are equipped with multifunction bed-side monitors with capabilities for direct pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry, capnography, anesthetic gas and O2 measurement and ECG.
Though this residency emphasizes clinical medicine, the resident will be expected to develop didactic teaching and research skills. One-on-one and small group teaching skills will be developed through mentorship of hospital interns and externs and organization of wet-labs. Formal didactic lectures will be prepared and delivered to house-officers, technicians and local practitioners. Sufficient lecture and lab opportunities (both teaching of and participation in) are provided to comfortably fulfill all ACVECC residency requirements.
The majority of resident weeks will be under direct supervision by an ACVECC diplomate. Resident rotations include weeks spent solely in the ICU managing ECC inpatients as well as co-managing surgery, neurology, oncology and internal medicine patients hospitalized in the open ICU. ER rotations are predominantly daytime shifts, with the possibility of 2 weeks of scheduled overnight rotations per year. Additional required training can be met at VSH – Sorrento Valley, or if the resident prefers, certain electives can be performed at other facilities with strong training programs. Elective weeks with the UC Davis nephrology/urology/hemodialysis and clinical pathology services are also available.
Residents are expected to be highly motivated, committed, energetic individuals who desire to strengthen their education and become active diplomates of the College of Emergency and Critical Care. While an in-person interview is preferred, a phone or video conference can be arranged.
Benefits, Prerequisites and Requirements
Benefits
Opportunity to earn additional cash compensation: Per diem emergency shifts are occasionally available for additional compensation ($1200-$1600). |
Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as participation in our voluntary 401(k) plan. We also provide company-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long-term disability insurance. Additional benefits include liability insurance after residents become members of AVMA. |
Vacation: Residents receive two weeks of paid time off per year. In addition, residents receive one week of paid time off for professional development (CE). Research/study time (off clinics) is also provided yearly in increasing amounts. |
Is a contract required? Yes |
Is a non-compete clause required? No |
Is a State license required? Yes. If yes, what is the licensure fee? Approximately $450.00 (temporary) and $800- 900 (permanent) |
Is a DEA license required? No |
Is USDA accreditation required? No |
Prerequisites
- Completion of a rotating small animal internship or emergency and critical care specialty internship.
- California state license is required. Candidates can apply for temporary (one year) CA state license for the first year, as long as the resident has a valid state license elsewhere. In the first year, the resident must take the CA state board exam to become licensed in CA.
- Ethos is an equal opportunity employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered appropriate by law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, merit and business need
Requirements
Standard VIRMP Application Packet
- VIRMP Application
- Veterinary School Official Transcript
- Personal Statement
- Curriculum Vitae
- 3 – 4 Standardized Letters of Reference
Additional Requirements from the Program
- In-person interview is recommended; however accommodations can be made for a Zoom interview.
Additional information for graduates of universities outside of the United States and Canada
- Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego does not sponsor H-1B visas. Citizens of Canada are welcome to apply – VSH will accept residents with a TN visa. Graduates of non-AVMA accredited veterinary schools require ECFVG or PAVE certification. California State license is required. Contact the CVMB (www.vmb.ca.gov) for more information.
- Employment with Ethos Veterinary Health is contingent upon successfully completing a background check and showing proof of eligibility to work in the United States on your first day.
Visa Sponsorship
If you will require visa sponsoring or are unsure about your work status, please review the Information for Foreign Applicants page and contact this program prior to applying . Please be aware that some programs listed in the VIRMP accept applications ONLY from citizens of the United States (or Canada if a Canadian program) or from applicants who possess permanent residency status at the time of application.