Veterinary Rotating Internships - Chicago, Seattle, Scottsdale

Description

Position at Thrive Pet Healthcare

Thrive Pet Healthcare offers a Veterinary SA Rotating Internship- a 1-Year internship designed for new graduates. Our goal is to provide training encompassing high-quality emergency & specialty care and client communication, in addition to providing the tools needed for a long & successful career in veterinary medicine. You will be prepared to pursue additional specialty training or positions in ER, UC or GP. Candidates must be currently eligible to obtain a veterinary license in the United States.

When you thrive, we Thrive. Thrive hospital locations offering a Rotating Internship to begin June 2026.

• Thrive Pet Healthcare Specialists - Hoffman Estates/Chicago, IL
• Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle in Lynnwood, WA
• Thrive North Scottsdale in AZ
• All Locations - book an externship now for pre-Match consideration for 2026!

VSC Seattle has been hosting rotating interns since 2005, providing top-notch care to the pets and pet parents of the greater Puget Sound area. Our Thrive Hoffman Estates, Illinois location is a newly built hospital, which opened November 2023. The internship program is supported by specialists and ER doctors with deep experience in long-standing internship programs. Thrive Scottsdale is getting a major remodel and has interns and residents on their team and a passion for supporting others on this journey.

Our collaborative teams of specialists include Boarded veterinarians in internal medicine, emergency and critical care, surgery, neurology, cardiology, oncology, radiation oncology, radiology and anesthesia, in addition to highly experienced ER clinicians. Our equipment and technology are state-of-the-art: on-site MRI, CT, C-arm, echocardiography, ultrasonography with color flow and Doppler capabilities, digital radiology, rigid and flexible endoscopy, bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, arthroscopy, and major orthopedic and neurosurgical power instrumentation. Each location has a couple things that set it apart as well.

Our surgical teams perform a range of surgical procedures depending on the location, such as minimally invasive thoracoscopy, laparoscopic and lap-assisted procedures, and C-arm guided fracture repair in addition to practicing regenerative medicine. We also provide critical care support with 24-hour staffing in our ER by internship-trained ER doctors and critical care specialists. This includes support of patients with oxygen, continuous ECG monitoring, and mechanical ventilation. Our in-house lab includes blood gas and electrolyte monitoring (EPOC), chemistry and CBC analysis, coagulation testing, and blood typing. Our ER and specialty services each have an ultrasound, and interns are encouraged to develop ultrasound skills during their year.

We have invested in our internship program to provide a well-rounded educational experience. It starts with orientation, along with a FASTVet ultrasound course and CPR and procedures lab. We have dedicated weekly intern rounds and monthly radiology rounds. Each morning, our specialists and house officers attend inpatient case rounds. Our core rotations include emergency and critical care (5-6 months), 1-2 months in surgery, internal medicine and neurology depending on the hospital. And 1 – 4 weeks with oncology, cardiology, plus additional time discussed with your mentor to structure elective time.

Interns have primary case responsibility from day one. When rotating through the emergency service interns are always accompanied by a staff doctor, including holidays and overnights. Interns receive and manage their own new cases while on ER but they are not expected to manage other cases (we have dedicated ER doctors on the team as well).

In addition to a breadth of Specialty Service exposure as part of each intern's schedule, elective time is also available, which can be used to pursue educational opportunities at other Thrive hospitals or beyond. In years past, interns have used this time to attend conferences, spend time with an ophthalmologist or dermatologist, or learn more about physical rehabilitation. They can consult with our House Officer Program team to identify best opportunities.

Additional Support:

Each intern is granted individual online access to a University Library through Thrive's partnership with LMU. Onsite, we also have a reference library including current textbooks located in the intern office.

Each intern is matched with a mentor for guidance throughout the year. Interns gain experience in professional speaking, each giving grand rounds presentations, journal clubs, an M&M and in some cases a continuing education lecture to the team technicians. Quarterly mentor evaluations provide ample opportunity for growth.

Upon acceptance, the intern is required to obtain State Veterinary and DEA licensure and pass a background screen. Although an in-person visit is helpful, it is not required. Please contact us if your schedule allows a visit or if you are interested in a remote visit/interview.

About Thrive Pet Healthcare:

As part of Thrive Pet Healthcare, a growing community of nearly 400 hospitals in 38 states that deliver the highest quality general practice, emergency, and specialty care. This community of colleagues allows us to provide additional support, perks and opportunities for you including support with elective and post-internship placement in specialty internships and residency programs! Surrounded by those who understand you, your work, and what you’re experiencing day-in and day-out, the local hospital team and other unique Thrive support systems like our Specialty Directors Board, are here to support and guide your professional journey. You can learn more about all our Medical Excellence & Education programs here.

Like you, for Thrive “care” isn’t just a word. It’s present in everything we do, driven by a dedication to the animals and families we help. We nurture an emotionally intelligent workplace that values your well-being, goals, and individuality. We take actions to empower you to provide the best care for pets, the people who love them, and yourself — through progressive career & learning options, benefits, and support. Throughout our hospitals across the country and with our university partners, Thrive is committed to supporting the education of veterinarians through externships, internships, and residencies that further what we can do for Animals and for one another.

Thrive Pet Healthcare supports our interns with a comprehensive package including:

• $64,000 annual salary
• Scheduled on shift an average of 50-55 hours/ week
• A dedicated Orientation program & an in-person Symposium retreat in Austin, TX
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• VIN, AVMA and IVECCS Membership
• State and DEA Licenses reimbursement
• Continuing Education Opportunities
• 40 hrs PTO
• Professional Liability Coverage
• Thrive U for unlimited, no-cost CE
• FASTVet Emergency Ultrasound Training
• Basic and Advanced Life Support online CPR training through VECCS Recover CPR Initiative
• Surgical and Endoscopy Training
• Well-being support through SupportLinc & Lyra Health
• Eligibility for Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Eligibility to Participate in 401(k) retirement savings plan
• Paid Purr-ental Leave & Parental Leave (eligible after 1 year)
• Pet Care Discounts and More

At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and diversity of all our team members, pet parents, and pets. We strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all team members belong and feel empowered.

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to connecting with you! If you have any difficulty with this application, please contact [email protected].