STUDENT REQUIREMENTS – YOU MUST READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR PRECEPTORSHIP!
FAQ’s –
1. What does your veterinary student program offer?
2. Is there a minimum or maximum time frame that a student can
stay?
3. Are there any requirements that a student must meet to apply?
4. How do I apply?
5. Is there housing available?
6. Will I need a car?
7. Are pets allowed?
8. What do I wear?
9. Should I bring any books?
10. What else should I bring?
11. What is the best way to get there?
12. What is the typical day like? Do I work on Saturdays?
13. Is there emergency work?
14. Is there any time off?
1. What does your veterinary student program offer?
The Marathon Veterinary Hospital is sponsoring a Veterinary Student Preceptorship program. Each session lasts four weeks. The main purpose of the preceptorship is to give students exposure to a high quality referral practice that also sees exotic animals. Approximately 20% of our 1000+ patients/month are non-domestics. We routinely treat birds, reptiles, amphibians, primates, rodents, mini-pigs, horses, fish and invertebrates. In addition, we care for all of the injured wildlife in the region, which consists of shore birds, sea mammals, sea turtles and other miscellaneous land mammals. The MVH also consults for the Monroe County Sheriff Zoo, the Sea Turtle Hospital, the Key West Aquarium, the Theater of the Sea and the Key West Butterfly Conservance amongst others.
Students will work closely with the five doctors at the hospital. They will be assigned cases and will also have a primary role in the care of wildlife. Aside from the medical experience one of the main focuses will be on practice and business management. Each student will be required to present a journal article at the monthly Journal Club meeting.
The MVH is the only 24 hour Emergency/Referral hospital in the Florida Keys. It is a High Honors AAHA facility and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including an in-house lab, blood gasses, electrolytes, cell counters, complete chemistries, digital radiology, video endoscopy, ultrasound with color-flow doppler, Carbon Dioxide Laser, bone-plating and other orthopedic equipment. In addition, the hospital offers Traditional Chinese Medicine and Holistic Medicine alternatives.
The practice is located in sunny Marathon Key, Florida, less than one block from the ocean. There is ample time for recreation such as snorkeling, SCUBA diving, hiking, bird watching and other Florida Keys activities. Limited housing is available for students for a modest fee on a first come basis.
Contact: Douglas R. Mader, M.S., D.V.M., Dipl. A.B.V.P.
2. Is there a minimum or maximum time frame that a student can stay?
The minimal required stay is 4 weeks. Due to the complexity of the program, any less than that would not be beneficial. In addition, to allow ample opportunity for other students, a maximum of 6 weeks has been established.
3. Are there any requirements that a student must meet to apply?
Students must have completed at least 3 years by the time they arrive. In other words, any time starting the summer AFTER their junior year they are eligible to participate. It is imperative that the students have the medical training prior to the preceptorship to get the maximum benefit from the program.
4. How do I apply?
If you meet the criteria, al you have to do is contact Dr. Mader or one of the managers either via e-mail or US Mail. Please include a resume with appropriate contact information. Preceptorships are non-discriminatory and offered to persons meeting eligibility requirements on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Is there housing available?
Yes. Student housing is available next to the hospital. A small efficiency apartment is reserved for student use. This has a double bed, A/C, Cable TV and a small kitchen with a microwave, coffee maker and Toaster oven. An alarm clock and desk are student provided.
Rent is $100/week, and includes utilities and cable.
6. Will I need a car?
You won’t need a car to get to the hospital. It is literally 50 feet away! However, if you want to get around town you may want transportation. However, before you rent a car, you need to realize that the island is only 1/4 mile wide and about 4 miles long! There is a bicycle available for students to use.
Within walking distance is a Walgreen’s. The store has a small grocery department. In addition, there is a Burger King directly across the street from the hospital, and several other small fish houses and deli’s, all within a few minutes walk.
7. Are pets allowed?
Unfortunately, NO. Sadly, over the years, we have had problems with barking dogs, urine-spraying cats and even abandon pets. We can no longer allow students to bring pets into the apartment.
8. What do I wear?
This is a referral hospital, so, professional appearance is a must. That said, this is also the Florida Keys, where “Formal wear” is considered “clean shorts.” Please bring nice slacks and either a nice scrub top or clinic coat. Tennis shoes are okay as long as they are clean and not full of holes. NO BLUE JEANS please!
The exception to that last rule is for field trips. You will have opportunities to work at the zoo, on large animals and even horses. As a result, you will want clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You may also want to bring a pair of shoes that you don’t mind if they get muddy (especially during the rainy season).
You MUST also wear your student ID badge at all times – this clearly identifies you as a STUDENT so as not to misrepresent yourself as an Intern of Doctor.
Please bring a stethoscope to carry with you at all times.
9. Should I bring any books?
You should not need any books as the hospital has an extensive library of books and journals. Obviously, if there are special books that you need, you are more than welcome to bring them.
10. What else should I bring?
That is totally up to you. You will definitely want to bring casual clothes (remember, even in the winter the days will get into the 80’s). If you like the beach, bring appropriate clothing for that activity. The hospital has a kayak that is available for student use (we are on the water). Snorkel gear, cameras, etc. Key West is a short drive away and a visit or two to the nightlife is a must!
11. What is the best way to get there?
There is a map and directions on this web page.
Some students drive. Many students fly in. Here is brief synopsis of the available airport options :
Miami airport – Least expensive option. Miami is about 3 hours away. From there, you can —-
- catch a Greyhound bus (800-231-2222) – very inexpensive –
But inconvenient route times
- catch the “Keys Shuttle” (305-289-9997) – convenient, about $60 – $70 one way.
- Rent a car at the Miami airport, drop it off at the Marathon airport
Ft. Lauderdale – less expensive but further away than Miami. You can access the same transportation options as above.
Marathon Airport - The closest one! Marathon is about 1/2 mile away. Unfortunately, it is very expensive to fly into. You can only access it from Ft. Lauderdale airport. If you fly into this airport, all you have to do is call our office and someone will pick you up.
Key West Airport - This airport is about 50 miles away. It is accessible from MANY different larger airports. The cost to fly into Key West is reasonable and we can arrange someone from the hospital to pick you up. The typical fee for a ride from Key West to Marathon is approximately $50 each way.
12. What is the typical day like? Do I work on Saturdays?
Here is the typical schedule for the preceptors:
HOURS MON-SAT 8:OO AM – UNTIL FINISHED
EVENINGS & WEEKENDS – AS ARRANGED
1. STUDENT GOALS
CLIENT RELATIONS
HISTORY/PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
MEDICAL DATA ASSESSMENT
THERAPEUTICS
ANESTHESIA
SURGERY
SUPERVISORY SKILLS
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
2. STUDENT’S EXPECTATIONS OF DOCTORS
TEACH PRO-ACTIVE CLIENT RELATIONS
REVIEW OF MEDICAL CASES
EXPOSURE TO EXOTIC ANIMAL MEDICINE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE
POSITIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT
3. DOCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
COMMITTMENT TO 6 FULL WORKING DAYS PER WEEK
PUNCTUALITY, NEATNESS OF APPEARANCE AND PROFESSIONAL MANNER
RESPECT FOR CURRENT STAFF OF OUR HOSPITAL.
PRESENT A JOURNAL ARTICLE AT THE MONTHLY JOURNAL CLUB MEETING
RESPONSIBILITIES
8 AM – 9 AM
ASSIST TECHNICAL STAFF WITH TREATMENTS.
ATTEND MORNING ROUNDS WITH DOCTORS.
PRESENT CASE WORK-UPS AS REQUIRED.
9 AM – 1 PM
ASSIST IN FOLLOWING AREAS AS DIRECTED BY DOCTORS.
WITH DOCTORS AND CLIENTS IN EXAM ROOMS.
WITH DOCTORS IN SURGERY.
WITH TECHNICAL STAFF FOR DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.
1 PM – 2 PM – LUNCH
2 PM – 6 PM
ASSIST IN FOLLOWING AREAS AS DIRECTED BY DOCTORS.
WITH DOCTORS AND CLIENTS IN EXAM ROOMS.
WITH TECHNICAL STAFF FOR DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES.
6 PM – 10 PM
ASSIST TECHNICAL STAFF WITH TREATMENTS.
ASSIST DOCTORS WITH EMERGENCIES
EXAM ROOM PROTOCOL
YOU MUST BE NEAT AND WELL GROOMED AT ALL TIMES.
CHECK EXAM ROOM TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SPOTLESS.
TAKE MEDICAL RECORD FROM CHECK IN SLOT IN RECEPTIONISTS OFFICE.
REVIEW CLIENTS NAME, ANIMALS NAME, SEX, AND AGE.
CALL CLIENT INTO EXAM ROOM, INTRODUCE YOURSELF, AND SHAKE HANDS.
MAKE SOME POSITIVE COMMENT ABOUT PET.
REFER TO ANIMAL ONLY BY IT’S NAME OR THE WORD “PET”.
USE PROPER GENDER TERMINOLOGY.
TAKE A BRIEF HISTORY ON ADMISSION FORM IN A NON-INTIMIDATING MANNER – DO NOT ATTEMPT DETAILED HISTORY.
TAKE TEMPERATURE AND WEIGHT (SPECIFY WHICH SCALE).
DO NOT GIVE YOUR MEDICAL OPINION OF CASE IF ASKED BY CLIENT.
DRAW UP VACCINES AND OBTAIN ROUTINE LAB SAMPLES.
TELL CLIENT THE DOCTOR WILL BE WITH THEM IN A FEW MINUTES.
OBSERVE AND ASSIST DOCTOR WITH PHYSICAL EXAM ON MEDICAL CASES.
WRITE DOWN ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE FOR REVIEW AT END OF WORKDAY.
FOLLOW DOCTOR’S INSTRUCTIONS.
SET UP NEW CLIENT IN EXAM ROOM WHEN BUSY.
IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’TS
DO ENJOY YOUR STAY WITH US.
DO ASK QUESTIONS WHEN APPROPRIATE.
DO ANTICIPATE THE NEEDS OF DOCTORS AND STAFF.
DO HAVE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK.
DO LISTEN AND LEARN.
DO FEEL A PART OF OUR TEAM.
DO OFER SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
DO ASK FOR ASSISTANCE IF UNSURE OF ANYTHING.
DON’T OFFER YOUR MEDICAL OPINION TO CLIENTS UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY DOCTOR IN CHARGE OF THE CASE.
DON’T ASK QUESTIONS IN FRONT OF CLIENTS.
DON’T SIT AROUND DOING NOTHING.
DON’T HANDLE ANIMALS ROUGHLY, ESPECIALLY IN FRONT OF CLIENTS.
13. Is there emergency work?
We are a 24-hour facility. The students are NOT required to attend emergency calls, but, since the housing is so close, most students do want to be called for interesting cases or after hour surgeries.
14. Is there any time off?
Ha! No, just kidding. You are off on Saturday afternoons, Sundays and evenings. Obviously, the schedule is not rigid and if time is needed off, that can be arranged. We frequently do field calls to the turtle hospital, the zoo or other parks on Sundays. Again, you are not required to participate on your days off, but, you will get out of this preceptorship what you put into it!