Equine Rotating Internship

The internship in equine medicine and surgery is a postgraduate training programme that consists of rotations through all services in the equine hospital. This provides interns with significant clinical exposure from a world-leading veterinary education provider. 

Interns have the opportunity to produce one significant publication in the field and will gain teaching experience by assisting senior clinicians in the teaching of undergraduate vet students.  There is the opportunity for interns to undertake a further teaching qualification and gain the Associate Fellowship of Higher Education (AFHEA).

We aim to foster a supportive and encouraging environment and interns work under the supervision of a Supervisor and senior clinical colleagues.  We nurture strong and effective working relationships with all clinical and support staff within the hospital. 

BEVA

Our internship is a BEVA Recognised Internship

The equine hospital sits within the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and is a busy, multidisciplinary referral and teaching hospital.  The hospital sees over 1800 appointments a year and has an annual turnover of £1.7million.  In addition, the hospital hosts a busy first opinion general practice. 

Specialists

The hospital represents the highest number of equine Specialists under one roof in Scotland, with Specialist clinicians in Internal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Soft Tissue Surgery, Dentistry, Orthopaedic Surgery, Equine Behaviour, and Anaesthesia.

Equine staff list

Interns participate in clinical activities including diagnostic procedures, medical management and interventional procedures. As training progresses, interns are encouraged to contribute to clinical decision making. 

Interns are not normally be expected to resolve problems other than those presented to them in a controlled environment and appropriate learning opportunities.

One week of out-of-hours night shifts and two weeks of anaesthesia are included in the internship. 

Services

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Dentistry
• Diagnostic imaging
• Sports medicine
• Anaesthesia

Hours

It is expected that interns will work in line with normal opening hours which are 08:30-17:30.  There is the opportunity for additional out-of-hours care and equine emergency work depending on the individual's preference. Any overtime will be paid in line with our Out of Hours Policy. 

We aim to foster a supportive and encouraging environment and interns work under the supervision of a Supervisor and senior clinical colleagues.  We nurture strong and effective working relationships with all clinical and support staff within the Hospital. 

Salary

Internships are paid positions and appointments are made at Grade 6.

University of Edinburgh pay scale

Accommodation

On-site accommodation is provided free of charge.   

The internship can lead to a variety of different career opportunities.

Return to practice

The broad range of experience gained across busy referral services prepares interns to return to practice with invaluable skill and confidence. 

Specialist training

Our internship provides an excellent foundation for vets who wish to explore becoming a Specialist.  

The equine hospital is situated on the Easter Bush Campus which is approximately seven miles south of Edinburgh.

Campus

The Easter Bush Campus is a purpose-built home for veterinary teaching, research and clinical practice and represents one of the largest concentrations of animal-science based expertise in Europe.  Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Pentland Hills Regional Park the campus holds a rural setting with many walking, cycling and running trails to enjoy as well as regular transport to and from Edinburgh.

City

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital city and provides an irresistible blend of history, natural beauty and modern city life.  Large enough to offer something for everyone, but small enough to feel like home, Edinburgh is a sophisticated and beautiful city with a diverse multicultural community.  Well known for its green environment and compact size, Edinburgh is easy to get around and get away from it all - wherever you are in the city you are never too far from open countryside.

Edinburgh's location is perfect for adventures.  A single day could see you hillwalking in the morning, lazing on the beach in the afternoon and enjoying the treasures of the medieval lanes by night. 

The internship has provided the ideal mix of gaining practical skills, research and teaching opportunities. The team itself is one of the most supportive I have ever come across, from seniors to support staff. It’s very close-knit and informal, you can ask anyone any stupid questions and there are multiple avenues for support.

In terms of the intern group we all get on extremely well and work to support each other, the most experienced/longest standing intern is responsible for training the newest and in your first week you will shadow someone. We are split between 2 cottages on site, as the new intern you will get the single room but it’s liveable in and plenty of shared living space. The cottage is managed by the university estates and any issues have been promptly fixed. The cottage location is perfect for work, especially the night shifts, and there are regular buses into the city to explore if you don’t have a car.

There are also a huge selection of shops nearby. Holidays and pay are generous compared to other internships and as long as the main services (surgery, medicine, nights) are covered by interns there aren’t restrictions on when you can take them.”

Every week interns attend 3 sessions of supported learning, unless they are on nights. These sessions include; practical wet labs, book club, journal club and imaging rounds. Interns are also encouraged to produce a peer reviewed journal paper as part of the internship which offers great opportunities for future employment in research and/or residencies.

The internship requires the application of prior knowledge to sustain the high standards of clinical practice of our hospital, therefore experience of working in an equine referral hospital is highly desirable.   

Essential entry criteria

• A degree registrable with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
• Minimum of 6 months working in relevant equine veterinary practice
• Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS), by start date of internship
• Provide evidence of good written and spoken English, if English is not your first language
• Legal right to work in the UK*

Newly qualified vets

• Outstanding newly qualified vets may be considered and are encouraged to make an informal enquiry

*We strongly recommend that applicants from outside the EU consult the UK Border Agency Right to Work rules.