Preceptorship Program

When Will the Preceptorship Take Place?

The program runs for 7 weeks from June 16th through August 6th

When is the Deadline for Applications?

Deadline for Applications and Resume is February 22st

When Will I Know If I've Been Accepted?

Decisions will be announced by April 10th

Vet walking yellow lab outside

Two vets examining a puppy

How do I Apply?

Students interested in applying for a preceptorship opportunity can submit queries and application materials attention Veterinary Technician Preceptorship Committee at lvtpp@cornell.edu. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

All Applications Must Include:

  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. Completed application 
    File vet tech precept application 2021.docx (60.95 KB)
  4. Recommendation Letter (Prompts for recommender are on the Preceptorship Application Form).

An interview will be required by Zoom or by phone.

The amount of hands-on experience may be limited on some clinical rotations as Cornell must first meet the practical experience requirements of its residents, interns and students. Throughout the preceptor program, all preceptors will be exposed to a variety of cases and learning opportunities, using observation techniques when hands-on work is not possible. Although it is our intent to offer the most complete experience possible, we cannot guarantee fulfillment of all check off items listed on the student's task list.

Each three-week rotation will offer preceptors opportunities to work closely with a team of staff and students in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

Vet walking old lab during an examination

What are the Rotations?

SMALL ANIMAL ROTATIONS

  • Small Animal Surgery

    Preceptors rotating through the Small Animal Surgery section will be exposed to a variety of surgical cases with either soft tissue or orthopedic conditions. Preceptors will learn proper aseptic techniques, instrument identification, proper instrument care/preparation, and sterilization methods.

     They will shadow and assist the surgical technicians in their daily routines which include: 

    • Receiving surgical appointments and getting patient histories
    • Helping restrain and assisting with physical exams, bandage changes, etc.
    • Scheduling  pre-operative exams for blood work, sedation, radiology, ultrasound, CT, MRI
    • Helping set-up operating rooms and assisting in surgery

  • Small Animal Anesthesia

    The small animal anesthesia department coordinates, creates plans for, and performs anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries, soft tissue surgeries, ophthalmologic surgeries, neurology surgeries, MRIs, CT scans, endoscopies, dentistry procedures, and others. Primarily, preceptors will observe pre-medication, induction, maintenance of inhalant anesthesia, and recovery. Preceptors may have the opportunity to assist LVTs and residents with tasks such as:

    • Creating an anesthetic plan (look up history, bloodwork, physical exam, choose drugs, etc)
    • Helping calculate drug dosages and drawing up drugs
    • Helping pre-medicate, place IV catheter, induce, intubate, administer inhalant anesthesia, and recover patient
    • Helping place monitors on the patient and recording information on the anesthesia record
    • Restraining patients for physical exams, pre-medication, and IV catheter placement.

  • Ophthalmology

    On the ophthalmology service, preceptors will be able to observe surgeries and assist LVTs with appointments. Common procedures on this service include cataract surgery, lens luxations, nictitan gland replacements, laser pexy, ERG, and others, primarily on small animals. Preceptors will be able to sit in on rounds or short lectures with the students. Some tasks the preceptor may perform include:

    • Restraining patients for examinations, medications, and blood draws
    • Administering medications, such as eye drops
    • Drawing blood
    • Setting up equipment for procedure

       

  • Small Animal Internal Medicine

    Internal medicine’s role in the hospital is to take over or receive patient transfers from ER, receive stable patients via appointments, and perform procedures.  The patients are usually seen for either acute organ injuries (i.e. fatty liver, leptospirosis infection, etc.) or for chronic disease processes (i.e. IBD, Cushing's, diabetes, etc.).  The patients usually require ultrasounds and full blood work at the minimum.  Common procedures done on internal medicine are: FNA's (blind and ultrasound guided), joint taps, bone marrow aspiration, CT, rhinoscopy, cystoscopy, endoscopy (upper, lower, foreign body removals), laparoscopic liver biopsies, skin biopsies, esophagostomy tube placement, gastric feeding tube placement, balloon dilation, among others. Preceptors may have the opportunity to assist with:

    • Blood collection, IV catheter placement, or cystocentesis
    • Restraining patients
    • Setting up for procedures
    • Assisting with procedures
    • Administering sedation and monitoring sedated/anesthetized patients
    • Processing laboratory samples

  • Exotics:

    The exotics department performs a variety of functions, from routine physical exams to surgical procedures on exotic patients such as rabbits, rodents, reptiles, and birds. While on exotics, preceptors can expect to observe handling and restraint of various species, client communication, blood collection, medication administration, sedation/anesthesia, surgical procedures, radiographs, and other various procedures. Preceptors should be aware that they may only be able to observe on this rotation, as some patients become stressed easily or are critical. If possible, preceptors may be able to participate in tasks such as:

    • Blood collection and quick assessment tests
    • Assisting with anesthesia, radiology and surgical procedures
    • Assisting with subcutaneous fluids, oral medications, and injections
    • Feeding patients and other patient care
    • Maintaining cleanliness of facility and restocking of area

  • Community Practice Service

    Community Practice Service (CPS) operates similarly to an independent general practice. The preceptor on this rotation will observe physical exams, vaccinations, surgeries such as spays and neuters, blood tests, and referrals. While on CPS, preceptors may be able to participate in tasks such as:

    • Restraining for physical exams
    • Blood collection
    • Vaccinating
    • Assisting LVTs prepare for surgeries
    • Observing anesthesia protocols

LARGE ANIMAL ROTATIONS

  • Large Animal Internal Medicine

    Internal Medicine is a fast-paced emergency type environment with many opportunities for hands on learning. Preceptor is expected to know basic handling of all species, able to take direction and be a highly motivated person. Preceptors will experience handling during catheter placement, ultrasound, and examinations of horses, cows, camelids, pigs, sheep, and goats.

    Preceptor Medicine Expectations:
    • Helping set up for appointments and hold patients for exams
    • Helping students with treatments
    • Assisting with drawing blood, placing catheters and administering medications
    • Delivering blood to the lab, and knowing reasons for submitting certain tests
    • Participating in service rounds

  • Large Animal Surgery

    The large animal surgery service works with multiple types of farm animals such as horses, cows, goats, pigs, and sheep in need of soft tissue or orthopedic surgeries.  Soft tissue surgeries include castrations, mass removals, hernia repairs, and others. Horses commonly present for throat and upper airway surgeries. Orthopedic surgeries include fracture repairs, arthroscopies, screw placements, and a multitude of others.

    Preceptor Surgical Skill Expectations:
    • Prepare a surgery suite and induction room
    • Identify surgical equipment, learn proper way to open surgery packs
    • Learn proper gowning and gloving techniques
    • Basic understanding of instrument care, cleaning, and sterilization of packs
    • Assisting in induction, surgery suite, and scheduling of surgeries
    • Helping with cleaning and stocking of surgery area

  • Large Animal Anesthesia

    Large animal anesthesia LVTs sedate and/or anesthetize horses, cattle, alpacas, llamas, pigs, goats, sheep, and the occasional exotic/large wildlife animals for a variety of procedures. Preceptors will observe IM injections, IV catheter placement, premedication, induction, maintenance, ventilation techniques for large animals, and recovery of patients. Preceptors may have the opportunity to assist LVTs and residents with tasks such as:

    • Administering IM and IV injections
    • Placing IV catheters and arterial catheters
    • Assisting with induction and intubation
    • Placing monitoring equipment on patient
    • Operating the anesthesia machine and syringe pumps
    • Keeping an anesthetic record
    • Assisting with extubation and patient recovery