The Why
At Firehouse, we believe in the value of teaching and learning. Hosting veterinary students who are eager to learn allows us to contribute to our profession and is also a great way to keep our own knowledge and skills fresh and sharp.

The Who
We are Firehouse Animal Health Center, a group of full-service small animal general practices offering high-quality medicine and exceptional client service. We LOVE to talk about what sets us apart but hate to waste paper, so explore our site to learn more about us. Be sure to check out our “100 Little Things”!

You are a veterinary student (currently enrolled at an AVMA-accredited veterinary school) who wants to gain experience in a high-quality small animal practice, has a positive outlook and loves connecting with clients (even if it still makes you nervous), and is ready to jump in and grab opportunities to learn as they come your way. Our externship program is open to vet students in any year.

The What
Our Veterinary Externship Program relies on student-driven learning to improve your clinical skills and, for those who are interested, your business acumen as well. In addition to shadowing our doctors during appointments and assisting with surgeries, we may ask you to research a medical topic and present to our team or join us at a community event to connect with new clients.

We want to help prepare you to be a happy, productive practitioner of veterinary medicine and an important member of your community.

The Where, When, and How
Austin, Texas! We currently have seven hospitals in the Austin area. You will spend most of your time at one hospital but will have the opportunity to visit the rest because each of our medical teams has something unique to offer.

We host externs year-round, typically for 2 weeks per student. Let us know if your school requires a longer duration. We can be flexible. Please contact us at least 60 days prior to your externship start date, and the sooner, the better.

We offer a $600/week stipend after a successful completion of the externship.

We have limited space for extern housing at our pet resort locations.

If you would like to participate or want more information, please complete this form.

Interested in an externship in Denver, CO? Learn more.

Position Overview
As an Associate Veterinarian, your responsibility is to provide high quality medical care and client education. As a leader in the practice, you will mentor an effective and productive veterinary medical team, advocate for patients and clients, ensure a safe and effective work environment, and improve both the medical quality and business performance of the hospital. You will report directly to the Medical Director (MD), with accountability to the Hospital Manager (HM). Your work will directly support the HM – MD partnership in support of hospital goals.

Responsibilities
The Associate Veterinarian is responsible for the following. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

Client Service:

• Work with hospital team on efficient client flow to ensure an excellent experience
• Foster an educational experience for the client
• Effectively communicate the treatment plan to the client and the team, including cost
• Keep clients informed regarding patient status, results of diagnostics, and prognosis
• Assist HM – MD team in handling difficult client interactions
• Ensure thorough client communication by the hospital team
• Maintain client communication when their primary veterinarian is not available
• Conduct follow up correspondence

Medical Service:

• Work with MD to create systems enabling efficient delivery of medical care by the team
• Minimize patient stress while performing high quality exams, diagnostics, and procedures
• Create individual patient plans based on the case specifics, including follow up care
• Work with referral partners to provide comprehensive oversight of patient care
• Work with MD to review cases, assess skills, and continuously develop skills
• Keep current with highest standards of medical care

Clerical Service:

• Maintain accurate medical records
• Work with MD to effectively manage global glossary for quick AVImark data entry
• Respond to emails in a professional, timely manner
• Participate in modifying and updating systems, guidelines, and procedures as needed
• Accurately charge clients for all services performed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Staff Management:

• Assist the HM – MD team in onboarding new staff, including veterinarians
• Participate in individual staff Leadership Sessions as requested by the HM – MD team
• Participate in training, education, development, supervision of staff
• Ensure an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect

Marketing:

• Understand, participate, and support public relations, marketing events, and programs
• Assist HM – MD team in creating marketing tools and materials

Meetings:

• Actively participate in regular doctor meetings
• Attend monthly hospital meetings; actively assist HM – MD team with content and flow

Professional Experience / Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to build long term relationships
• Ability to develop visionary products and services
• Comfortable in high growth environments
• Experience with or willingness to learn budgeting and financial management
• Willingness to learn management and leadership skills
• Practical experience with client relations
• Strong general medical and surgical experience

Personal Characteristics

• Strong enjoyment of client relationship and education
• Compassion toward animals and people
• Strong relationship building skills
• High energy, passion, and drive to be successful
• Aptitude for technology, or willingness to learn
• Ability to process and respond to all communication
• Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve
• Team player who can work effectively in a fast growing, dynamic environment
• Effective communicator in a variety of situations
• Great attention to detail
• An entrepreneurial mindset

Things you Need to Know

• Dependable attendance / presence at the hospital is a must
• Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
• Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
• Must be willing to work Saturday mornings and until all patients have been discharged
• Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites and scratches, and hazardous chemicals

Education

• DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree
• Licenses / registrations in compliance with local, state, and national laws
• Training / certification in business management, HR, finance, accounting desirable

Compensation

• Firehouse offers a competitive salary and benefits package for full time employees. Most benefits are available after 60 days.
• Salary Range: $95,000 – $200,000 per year

Position Overview

At Firehouse, Veterinary Technicians are responsible for supporting the doctors and other team members in providing high quality medicine in a friendly and efficient manner that ensures excellent service to our clients and patients. You will report to the hospital leadership team – the Hospital Manager and Medical Director. Your work will directly support your peers, leadership team, and hospital goals.

Responsibilities

Veterinary Technicians are responsible for the following. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

Client Care:

• Check clients in and out for appointments, surgeries, and procedures
• Foster an educational experience for the client
• Provide exemplary communication and customer service
• Explain discharge instructions to clients
• Conduct follow-up correspondence

Technical Skills:

• Manage exam flow, including patient restraint
• Monitor anesthesia and assist doctors during surgeries
• Perform dental prophylaxis and radiology
• Provide care and treatments for hospitalized patients
• Prepare testing for in-house and referral laboratory
• Perform venipuncture and IV catheter placement
• Produce digital radiographs
• Verify and fill patient prescriptions
• Provide urgent care during emergencies
• Provide cleaning and maintenance for equipment

Clerical Skills:

• Maintain accurate medical records
• Answer and direct multiple phone lines
• Respond to company emails in a professional, timely manner
• Prepare/process scans and referral reports
• Learn and utilize estimates, fee schedules, and other operational documents
• Ensure cleanliness of the hospital
• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Experience / Personal Characteristics

• Experience valued but not required
• Must be open to learning
• Comfortable with computers and other technology (experience with AVImark software helpful but not required)
• Passion for building relationships and educating
• Compassion toward animals and people
• High energy and drive to be successful
• Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change
• Ability to innovate and problem solve
• Team player who can work effectively in a fast-growing, dynamic environment
• Effective communicator in a variety of situations
• Great attention to detail

Things You Need to Know

• Dependable attendance needed
• Must be able to work shifts that support hospital business hours and until all patients have been discharged
• Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites, and scratches
• Potentially subject to hazardous chemicals
• Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
• Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds

Compensation

• Firehouse offers full-time team members medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k matching, short-term disability, PTO, paid holidays, discounted Veterinary/Boarding services, Employee Assistance Program, and more, including additional pay consideration for bilingual candidates. Some benefits available for PT. Benefits available after 60 days.
• Hourly Rate Range: $17 – $25 an hour

Position Overview

At Firehouse, Veterinary Technician Assistants are responsible for supporting the doctors and other team members in providing high quality medicine in a friendly and efficient manner that ensures excellent service to our clients and patients. You will report to the hospital leadership team – the Hospital Manager and Medical Director. Your work will directly support your peers, leadership team, and hospital goals.

Responsibilities

Veterinary Technician Assistants are responsible for the following. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

Client Care:

• Foster an educational experience for the client
• Provide exemplary communication and customer service
• Conduct follow-up correspondence

Technical Skills:

• Provide cleaning and maintenance for medical and office equipment
• Assist in exam flow, including patient restraint
• Provide appropriate skill-level care and treatments for hospitalized patients
• Prepare testing for in-house and referral laboratory
• Restrain for digital radiographs
• Verify and fill patient prescriptions

Clerical Skills:

• Ensure cleanliness of the hospital
• Answer and direct multiple phone lines
• Respond to company emails in a professional, timely manner
• Maintain accurate medical records
• Prepare/process scans and referral reports
• Learn and utilize estimates, fee schedules, and other operational documents
• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Experience / Personal Characteristics

• Experience valued but not required. Advancement opportunities are available!
• Must be open to learning
• Comfortable with computers and other technology (experience with AVImark software helpful but not required)
• Passion for building relationships and educating
• Compassion toward animals and people
• High energy and drive to be successful
• Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change
• Ability to innovate and problem solve
• Team player who can work effectively in a fast-growing, dynamic environment
• Effective communicator in a variety of situations
• Great attention to detail

Things You Need to Know

• Dependable attendance needed
• Must be able to work shifts that support hospital business hours and until all patients have been discharged
• Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites, and scratches
• Potentially subject to hazardous chemicals
• Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
• Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds

Compensation

• Firehouse offers full-time team members medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k matching, short-term disability, PTO, paid holidays, discounted Veterinary/Boarding services, Employee Assistance Program, and more, including additional pay consideration for bilingual candidates. Some benefits available for PT. Benefits available after 60 days.
• Hourly Rate Range: $15-17 an hour

Position Overview

At Firehouse, Client Service Coordinators (CSC) are responsible for driving the flow of the hospital by coordinating patient care in a friendly and efficient manner that ensures excellent service to our clients and patients. You will report to the hospital leadership team – the Hospital Manager and Medical Director. Your work will directly support your peers, leadership team, and hospital goals. Our Kyle and Round Rock hospitals also feature Firehouse Pet Resort services. CSCs at these locations assist on weekends with resort operations.

Responsibilities

CSCs are responsible for the following tasks. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

Client Care:

• Schedule appointments, surgeries, and procedures
• Register new clients
• Check clients in and out for appointments, surgeries, and procedures
• Confirm patient appointments
• Prepare next-day surgery and treatment documents
• Provide exemplary communication and customer service
• Conduct follow-up correspondence
• Receive/process client requests and prescription refill requests
• Prepare and mail greeting cards to welcome new clients and reward existing clients

Clerical Skills:

• Maintain accurate medical records
• Answer and direct multiple phone lines
• Respond to company emails in a professional, timely manner
• Prepare/process scans and referral reports
• Ensure cleanliness of the hospital
• Provide cleaning and maintenance of office equipment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Professional Experience / Personal Characteristics

• Experience valued but not required
• Must be open to learning
• Comfortable with computers and other technology (experience with AVImark software helpful but not required)
• Passion for building relationships and educating
• Compassion toward animals and people
• High energy and drive to be successful
• Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change
• Ability to innovate and problem solve
• Team player who can work effectively in a fast-growing, dynamic environment
• Effective communicator in a variety of situations
• Great attention to detail

Things You Need to Know

• Dependable attendance needed
• Must be able to work shifts that support hospital business hours and until all patients have been discharged
• Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites, and scratches.
• Potentially subject to hazardous chemicals
• Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
• Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds

Compensation

• Firehouse offers full-time team members medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k matching, short-term disability, PTO, paid holidays, discounted Veterinary/Boarding services, Employee Assistance Program, and more, including additional pay consideration for bilingual candidates. Some benefits available for PT. Benefits available after 60 days.
• Hourly Rate Range: $15 – $23 an hour

Position Overview

As the Hospital Manager (HM), your responsibility is to be the general manager of the hospital, working with the Medical Director (MD) to tackle a wide range of sometimes difficult and complex tasks. You and the MD provide both management and leadership to the hospital team. You aid the MD and owners in determining the strategy for the hospital’s growth and development, and you lead the charge in implementing the tactics that flow from the strategic plan.

The HM – MD team creates an excellent environment for three stakeholder groups: clients, patients, and employees. This team is responsible for ensuring that the hospital provides quality patient care, excellent client service, diligent financial management, innovative marketing, effective human resources management, and other activities that support effective business operations.

Responsibilities

The HM is responsible for the following. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

Staff Management:

• Hiring, including reference checks and background checks
• Staff performance and salary reviews
• Disciplinary action, including termination
• Training, education, development, supervision of staff
• Maintenance of high-quality service standards
• Scheduling of non-DVM staff
• Modify and update systems, guidelines, and procedures as needed
• Hospital policy / procedure education and compliance
• Oversee one-on-one leadership sessions / development plans for non-DVM staff
• Payroll calculations, goal calculations, time clock maintenance

Client Management:

• Oversee client flow to ensure an excellent experience
• Train staff to handle difficult client interactions and assist as needed
• Review and management of non-medical client complaints
• Oversee follow up communication system
• Management of reminder system, including overdue reminder and no reminder reports
• Oversee use of AVImark and associated technologies

Financial Management:

• Oversee inventory management to ensure that the hospital operates within budget
• Verify receipt of all inventory and proper coding of invoices for payment
• Manage staff scheduling so the practice operates within budget
• Review income statements and other financial data to improve revenues and profitability
• Manage cash control, including petty cash and making regular bank deposits
• Oversee billing, accounts receivable, and financial metrics
• Collaborate with MD to create business plan for the year

Marketing Management:

• Plan, participate and support public relations, marketing events and programs
• Oversee proper utilization of marketing tools and materials
• Collaborate with MD to create the marketing plan for the year

Facility Maintenance:

• Oversee maintenance / housekeeping of both the inside and outside of the building
• Oversee OSHA and safety program – procedures and implementation
• Oversee facility and equipment maintenance and repairs

Meetings:

• Schedule and manage monthly technician and client service coordinator meetings
• Organize weekly HM / MD meetings
• Organize monthly staff meeting schedule and agenda

Professional Experience / Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to build long term relationships
• Ability to develop visionary products and services
• Fluency with computers (MS Office – Outlook, Word, Excel)
• Comfortable in high growth environments
• Experience with or willingness to learn budgeting and financial management
• Knowledge of sales and marketing techniques
• Human resource management and training skills
• Practical experience with client relations

Personal Characteristics

• Strong relationship building skills
• High energy, passion, and drive to be successful
• Aptitude for technology, or willingness to learn
• An entrepreneurial mindset
• Ability to process and respond to all communication in a timely manner
• Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve
• Team player who can work effectively in a fast growing, dynamic environment
• Effective communicator in a variety of situations
• Great attention to detail

Things You Need to Know

• Dependable attendance
• Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
• Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
• Must be willing to work Saturday mornings and until all patients have been discharged
• Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites and scratches, and hazardous chemicals

Education

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Undergraduate degree from a recognized college or university desirable
• Training / certification in business management, HR, finance, accounting highly desirable

Compensation

• Firehouse offers a competitive salary and benefits package for full time employees. Most benefits are available after 60 days.
• Salary Range: $55,000 – $75,000 per year

Position Overview

As the Medical Director (MD), your responsibility is to be the general manager of the hospital, working with the Hospital Manager (HM) to tackle a wide range of sometimes difficult and complex tasks. You and the HM provide both management and leadership to the hospital team. You aid the HM and owners in determining the strategy for the hospital’s growth and development, and you lead the charge in implementing the tactics that flow from the strategic plan.

The HM – MD team creates an excellent environment for three stakeholder groups: clients, patients, and employees. This team is responsible for ensuring that the hospital provides quality patient care, excellent client service, diligent financial management, innovative marketing, effective human resources management, and other activities that support effective business operations. You will report directly to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), with accountability to the Director of Operations (DO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

Responsibilities

The MD is responsible for the following. This list may be revised at any time and additional duties not listed here may be assigned as needed.

Staff Management:

• Assist the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in hiring associate veterinarians
• Assist the HM in hiring all other staff
• Conduct performance reviews for veterinarians
• Assist the HM in performance reviews for all other staff
• Disciplinary action, including termination
• Training, education, development, supervision of staff
• Maintenance of high-quality service standards
• Assist the CMO in scheduling of veterinarians
• Modify and update systems, guidelines, and procedures as needed
• Hospital policy / procedure education and compliance
• Oversee one-on-one leadership sessions / development plans for veterinarians

Client Management:

• Oversee client flow to ensure an excellent experience
• Assist HM in handling difficult client interactions
• Review and management of medical client complaints
• Ensure thorough client communication by doctors
• Oversee use of AVImark and associated technologies

Financial Management:

• Review income statements and other financial data to improve revenues and profitability
• Assist HM as needed to manage accounts receivable
• Collaborate with HM to create business plan for the year
• Work with CMO and HM to revise pricing on a regular basis

Marketing Management:

• Understand, participate and support public relations, marketing events and programs
• Assist HM in creating marketing tools and materials
• Collaborate with HM to create the marketing plan for the year

Medical Management:

• Incorporate practice medical development into doctor leadership sessions / CE plan
• Keep medical inventory aligned with Firehouse philosophy and goals
• Oversee management of medical equipment
• Work with CMO to develop strategies to support our medical philosophy
• Keep current with highest standards of medical care

Meetings:

• Schedule and manage monthly doctor meetings
• Participate in weekly HM / MD meetings
• Meet regularly with Chief Medical Officer
• Participate in monthly staff meeting

Professional Experience / Skills

• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to build long term relationships
• Ability to develop visionary products and services 
• Comfortable in high growth environments
• Experience with or willingness to learn budgeting and financial management 
• Willingness to learn management and leadership skills
• Practical experience with client relations
• Strong general medical and surgical experience

Personal Characteristics

• Strong relationship building skills
• High energy, passion, and drive to be successful
• Aptitude for technology, or willingness to learn
• An entrepreneurial mindset
• Ability to process and respond to all communication in a timely manner
• Fast learner, able to multi-task and be flexible to change 
• Ability to think creatively and problem solve 
• Team player who can work effectively in a fast growing, dynamic environment

Things You Need to Know

• Dependable attendance / presence at the hospital is a must
• Allergies to animals must be controllable through medication
• Moves equipment weighing up to 40 pounds
• Must be willing to work Saturday mornings and until all patients have been discharged
• Potentially subject to high noise levels, bites and scratches, and hazardous chemicals

Education

• DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree
• Training / certification in business management, HR, finance, accounting highly desirable

Compensation

• Firehouse offers a competitive salary and benefits package for full time employees. Benefits are available after 60 days.
• Salary Range: $125,000 – $200,000+ per year