VETERINARY INTERNSHIP
Assistant Veterinarian
The Assistant Veterinarian position at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC) is a voluntary term position with a minimum duration requirement of 6 -12 months (12 is preferred). The Assistant Veterinarian is part of the BWRC medical team, and assists with internship and student programs.
Position Description:
The Assistant Veterinarian position at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC) is a voluntary term position with a minimum duration requirement of 6 -12 months (12 is preferred). The Assistant Veterinarian is part of the BWRC medical team, and assists with internship and student programs.
Schedule:
Assistant Veterinarian(s) are on-call at all times. BWRC generally maintains two Assistant Veterinarians at a time, which means rotating responsibilities and shifts is possible. However there are times when two Assistant Veterinarians are needed, or only one Assistant Veterinarian is on staff. BWRC’s general opening hours are Monday through Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm barring emergencies or extraordinary circumstances, which are frequent. Student groups and interns also require off-hour and irregular responsibilities from time to time. The Assistant Veterinarian may also conduct or be involved in house visits, field visits, overnight stays, and weekend spay and neuter clinics.
Clinic Duties and Responsibilities:
Open and close clinic;
Perform intake exams;
Keep accurate records according to clinic protocols and procedures;
Answer phone and respond to general inquiries and walk-ins;
Learn and practice equipment functions and procedures;
Follow checklists for cleaning and inventory;
Cooperate and work closely with staff, interns, students and other veterinarians;
Provide medical supervision of interns on days without a lead veterinarian present;
Provide assistance to veterinarians in consultations or surgery;
 Provide some veterinary consultations and procedures once registered in Belize and according to limitations or restrictions set forth by Belize regulations;
Provide assistance in spay and neuter clinics in local communities.
Intern and students duties and responsibilities:
Assist in communication and answering questions with and from prospective interns.
Provide transportation to and from the clinic for interns.
Assist in accommodating interns and students from time to time.
Assist in teaching and supervising interns and students in clinical and/or classroom setting from time to time.
Assist Dr. Isabelle as a teaching assistant (T/A).
Additional Project Driven Tasks:
Clinic checklists
Development of clinic manual
Phone manual
Intern manual
Client information leaflets
Record Keeping
Website Maintenance
Assist in Grant Writing
Additional Information:
 Candidates must be committed to participating in and fostering close team work and must be able to demonstrate good communication skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people. Personal flexibility and improvisation skills; candor and composure under pressure; ability to function well in a team setting under stressful conditions; willingness to live and work in Belize in a very different local context. Willingness to manage personal and work-related transportation.
Housing:
Off-site housing can be arrainged. For more information email bzwildlifeclinic@gmail.comÂ
Terms:
This position is a voluntary term position to be offered for 6 and preferably 12 months at a time. This position is designed for visiting veterinarians and is not considered an employment; subject to Government of Belize regulations.
Renewal:
This position may be renewed upon mutual agreement by both BWRC’s Director and the Assistant Veterinarian.
Note: This position is designed for volunteers who would like to contribute to conservation and to benefit from the significant opportunities for unique professional experience. This position is subject to the adherence to BWRC policies and procedures as well as housing policies. Failure to abide by any policies and procedures may result in termination.
What to pack:
The big day is quickly approaching when you’ll depart to Belize to begin your adventure with BWRC, and we want to make sure that you are clear on what to expect when you arrive. Internship and course durations vary, and you should pack accordingly. Any interns undertaking specialized internships should inquire about specific items to bring. Please feel free contact us with any questions or concerns between now and the time you depart for Belize.