Diagnostic Imaging Internships are not monitored, standardized, or approved by the ACVR in any manner. These roles constitute an individual employment arrangement and are not an ACVR-supervised educational program.
Considerations for Selecting a Diagnostic Imaging Internship
- Supervision: Is oversight provided by board-certified radiologist(s)? How often are Radiologists involved in working with interns? What intern tasks will be supervised? Unsupervised?
- Facility: What imaging modalities are present? Which specialists are present? Are other interns or residents present?
- Diagnostic Imaging Duties: Will you be writing imaging reports? Performing ultrasound examinations?
- Other Duties: What proportion of time is dedicated to technical duties, emergency veterinary duties, administrative work, or other tasks? Are interns responsible for tasks such as patient care, sedation, client communication, etc?
- Distribution of Effort: It is suggested that interns and mentors/employers clearly establish how much of the intern’s time will be allotted to diagnostic imaging, other duties, learning, etc.
- Evaluation and Feedback: Will formal job performance evaluations be given? Are the established learning objectives for the role?
- Learning and Rounds: Does the program include case-based rounds or journal club? What is the frequency of rounds and other structured learning?
- Publication: Is there opportunity to do a case report, contribute to research, or be involved in publication?
- Working Arrangements: Formally establish the hours, pay, benefits, on-call expectations, and other specific details. Confirm if there is time off for attending residency or other interviews and conferences.
- Workplace Environment: Is the role in-person, remote, or hybrid? Will the supervisor be physically present or remote? Does the role involve multiple locations?
- Prior Interns: When possible, contact prior interns, residents, or other employees to discuss their experiences.
This list is not exhaustive, and the responsibility for any internship employment agreement lies solely with the involved parties.
Lunn DP, Fingland RB, Goldstein R, Mashima TY, McLaughlin R, Nelson LL, Roth IG, Sweeney CR, Zimmel D. AAVMC Internship Program Guidelines 2018. J Vet Med Educ. 2019 Summer;46(2):139-144. doi: 10.3138/jvme.0718-082r. Epub 2019 Feb 26. PMID: 30806562.