Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency
Program Information
Veterinary Specialty Hospital – Sorrento Valley (VSH – Sorrento Valley) is a specialty referral center located in the north coastal area of San Diego, and is where residents will spend approximately 80% of their IM training time. Our residency program has been in place since 2007, and all our former residents have passed boards.
The VSH – Sorrento Valley specialty staff is composed of full-time and half-time internists, surgeons, neurologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, critic lists, radiation oncologists, dermatologists, and ophthalmologists.
VSH – Sorrento Valley is the larger of our two sister hospitals. We are located in a state-of-the-art, three story, 27,000 square foot hospital, with an 11,000 square foot second site (currently being expanded by about 50%). Specialty equipment present at both locations includes video endoscopes, bronchoscopes, laparoscopes, digital radiology, ultrasonography with color and power Doppler, C-arm fluoroscopy, Holter and event monitors, a CT scanner and MRI. Additionally, the Sorrento Valley location has a linear accelerator, standard fluoroscopy, electro diagnostics, cardiac telemetry, ventilator support, operating microscope, diode laser, CO2 laser, phacoemulsification unit, an in-house commercial laboratory, and full service 24 hour emergency and critical care service. Each of the six operating rooms is equipped with a multifunction bed-side monitor with capabilities for arterial blood pressure monitoring, pulse oximetry, capnography, and ECG, as well as a monitor for viewing diagnostic images.
This residency is designed to provide intensive clinical training in internal medicine in a private practice setting, but with a strong formal and informal didactic focus. As part of daily case management, the resident will gain extensive hands-on training in ultrasound, as well as in endoscopy and laparoscopy. The intent of this training program is to utilize the opportunities available in a busy, exceptionally equipped and medically progressive private practice, while also providing enhanced didactic content.
Our residents rotate through VSH – North County for 20% of their IM time, working with the internists at that location, and supported by full-time surgery, oncology, neurology, dermatology, and radiology services, as well as part time dentistry and cardiology services. Resident didactics include the following: formal VSH house-officer grand rounds and M&M rounds presentations (monthly, with mandatory participation of all hospital doctors), resident weekly boards review lectures, and internal medicine specific journal club held weekly, with VSH and UCVMC-SD internists and sporadically other specialists.
Approximately 95 weeks total will be spent on directly supervised internal medicine rotations and rotations in other ACVIM disciplines. Neurology, cardiology, and oncology rotations will be performed on-site, with (usually) 4 weeks in each specialty. Three elective weeks are available each year, so this represents the minimum amount of time under other ACVIM Diplomate supervision. Total time for writing, study, meetings, electives, and vacation is allocated as follows: 8 weeks in year one, 15 weeks in year two, and 20 weeks in year 3. A minimum of 3.5 weeks will be spent under direct supervision of a radiologist and 1 week with a clinical pathologist for a total of at least 37.5 weeks.
Benefits, Prerequisites and Requirements
Benefits
Opportunity to earn additional cash compensation: Residents have the opportunity to pick up occasional weekend or overnight ER shifts for pay if desired (approximately $1200-2000 per shift). |
Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus participation in our voluntary 401(k) plan. We also provide company-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long-term disability insurance. VSH provides ~75%discount on in-house medical and surgical costs for care of resident’s own pets. VSH pays for liability insurance after residents become members of AVMA. |
Vacation: Paid time off: Residents receive 10 days of paid time off which can be used for vacation and/or personal days, plus 5 paid sick days. Additionally, residents receive 5 paid days off for professional development (CE) the first year, and 10 paid days off for professional development (CE) the second and third years.
Paid time off to study for exams is provided during the second (4 weeks) and third (6 weeks) years. All of our prior residents have passed their general and specialty examinations. |
Is a contract required? Yes |
Is a non-compete clause required? No |
Is a state license required? Yes. The licensure fee is $500.00 (temporary), $700-800 (permanent) |
Is a DEA license required? No |
Is USDA accreditation required? No |
Prerequisites
- 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.
- Completion of a small animal rotating internship is required.
- A California state license to practice veterinary medicine is required to be active at the time the program starts. Candidates may apply for temporary (ONE YEAR ONLY) CA state license for the first year, as long as they have a valid state license elsewhere. During the first year residents must take the CA state board exam to become licensed in CA. Successful applicants are encouraged to apply directly for a permanent license upon matching, since sometimes this is a faster process than temporary license application.
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 or telephone/Skype/Face Time interview is required. These will be scheduled for a selected group of applicants, who will be notified in mid to late December for a January interview. All candidate interviews will be conducted on a single day.
Additional information for graduates of universities outside of the United States and Canada
- California State license is required and must be active your first day of work. 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.
- Veterinary Specialty Hospital of San Diego does not sponsor work visas for non-US citizen house officers. We will accept and equally consider applications from non-US citizens with pre-existing visas that are not dependent on the hospital for ongoing sponsorship.
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.