Alnorthumbria Veterinary Group is a large mixed practice in Northumberland with nine branches employing roughly 30 vets. The majority of our vets specialise in one species and work out of a single branch giving students a great opportunity to be in a mixed environment but learn from species specific vets.
Applications are welcomed by 4th and 5th year students for small animals, farm, and equine externships. Externships will last from three to four weeks (species dependant) and are a fantastic opportunity for students to have a more structured and involved EMS placement. Students will be expected to participate in tutorials, write articles for our monthly newsletter and also be asked to undertake a clinical audit, all on top of the usual EMS placement. The aim of our externship is to be more interactive with students and allow them to explore their area of interest further. Jobs may be, and have been offered, to outstanding externship students who we think we would like to work with in the future.
Farm
We operate from three main practices at Alnwick, Wooler and Rothbury and work largely with beef and sheep but also have a small number of dairy, goat and alpaca clients. We are a progressive practice with a big focus on herd health plans and preventative healthcare, alongside the usual routine pregnancy diagnosis, fertility testing, castrations, dehorning and a busy out of hours service (especially March to May).
Small animals
Our facilities include two small animal hospitals at Alnwick and Morpeth, with six smaller branch practices, Wooler, Rothbury, Seahouses, Amble, Ashington and Ponteland. Alongside our first opinion and busy out of hours service we also have regular visits from an orthopaedic specialist to our two main hospitals.
Equine
We have a very busy equine department working mostly from our equine hospital at Fairmoor, Morpeth. Facilities include a full surgery and knock down/recovery, gastroscope, specialist dental equipment for filling infundibular caries and shared access to diode laser and overground scope. Our team includes four certificate holders and a European specialist in internal medicine. Most days at the clinic are filled with medicine cases and referrals alongside a very busy lameness caseload whilst zone visit work comprises of routine health checks, vaccinations and dentals. We also have regular visits from Jim Ferrie (remedial farrier), Chris Pearce (dental specialist) and Patrick Pollock (soft tissue surgeon).
More information can be sent on request for each species specific programme.
Applications for all externships and EMS should be sent to either SmallAnimalEMS@alnorthumbriavets.co.uk, FarmEMS@alnorthumbriavets.co.uk or Barbara.Buglass@alnorthumbriavets.co.uk (Equine) depending on your chosen field. Include your name, university, year of study and area you wish to see practice. Additionally externship applications only should include no more than 250 words on why you wish to be selected for an externship.
