Person holding white dog and syringe in clinic.

Veterinary Technician Externship Program

PACKS: Personalized, Autonomous Career & Knowledge Support for Veterinary Technician Students

Our PACKS externships are designed to set you up for a successful career as a licensed veterinary technician. At Vetco Total Care, you’ll work side by side with doctors and hospital teams, gaining hands-on experience while building essential clinical, surgical, communication, and leadership skills.

We’re committed to supporting the growth and development of future veterinary technicians and we’re excited to help you put your education into practice in a real-world setting.

WHY SHOULD I APPLY?

Throughout your student externship, you will gain hands-on experience with medical, surgical, diagnostic, and dental procedures in our state-of-the-art general practice hospitals. Practice your clinical skill set while being mentored and guided by experienced licensed veterinary technicians and veterinarians who are committed to your learning and growth.

Veterinary technician student externs are eligible to receive educational course credit hours or hourly wages as a veterinary assistant and enjoy generous Petco discounts on supplies, training, grooming, and veterinary care.

Your well-being is important! Vetco Total Care does not require after hours, on-call, late night or overnight shifts.

WILL THIS EXTERNSHIP COUNT TOWARD MY PROGRAM'S REQUIREMENTS?

We work with Penn Foster, PIMA and other veterinary technician programs for site approval and are glad to help you with any documentation required.

Take the first step toward an extraordinary veterinary technician student externship and apply today.

Ready to get started?

APPLY NOW

Got questions? Email us at vetprograms@petco.com.

Click here to download a PDF about this program you can print and share.

WHAT WILL I LEARN AND DO?

Throughout your externship, you will gain practical experience with a broad range of administrative, clinical, surgical, diagnostic, and dental procedures in a state-of-the-art general practice hospital.

We have listed the most common program requirements below. Please ask us about specific skills your program requires which are not listed.

Hospital SOPs and safety protocols
Effective client communication and education
Front desk duties, administrative tasks
Patient discharge procedures
Sick + preventive care examinations
Obtaining vitals, patient history and writing a SOAP
Drawing and administering vaccines and other injections
Applying topical, ocular and ear medications and treatments
Safe restraint methods
Venipuncture
Small animal medicine + surgery
Dentistry, including digital dental radiographs
Clinical Digital Radiology, Ultrasonography using the Butterfly iQ+ Vet ultrasound, and Vetology AI Radiograph Interpretation + VetScan IMAGYST AI Microscope
Nutrition
Clinical Pathology using in-house IDEXX analyzers
Anesthesia

Externs only perform care that is outlined by each Veterinary State Practice Act and only under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or Licensed Veterinary Technician. Vetco Total Care does not perform medically unnecessary and cosmetic procedures.
Externships may not be available in all Vetco Total Care locations.

VETERINARY EXTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Active enrollment in an AVMA-accredited veterinary college.
Proof of medical and professional liability insurance.
Availability to work Monday - Saturday during open hospital hours (usually 8:00 am - 6:00 pm).
Strong observational, analytical, critical thinking and communication skills.
Willingness to collaborate with and learn from anyone on staff.

Man examining sample under a microscope.

QUALIFICATIONS TO APPLY

Review these requirements, then click apply to get started!

You are currently enrolled in an AVMA CVTEA accredited veterinary technology program and plan to take the VTNE.
You are available to work the hours required by your program and when VTC is open. VTC hospitals are open Monday through Saturday from 8 am – 6 pm with no after-hours or on-call. Externship hours are flexible based on your schedule and program requirements.
You're a team player who enjoys working in a diverse and highly inclusive environment where all people are welcome as they are.
You're open to learning from everyone on staff and receiving constructive feedback.
You possess strong observational, analytical, critical thinking and communication skills. You love to identify and analyze problems and provide medically-sound recommendations.
You maintain a calm, respectful and professional manner with colleagues, clients and patients. You can adapt to stressful situations that come with working in a veterinary hospital.

Questions? Email us at vetprograms@petco.com.

APPLY NOW