Auburn University - Ophthalmology Specialty Internship

Ophthalmology Specialty Internship

The Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine is accepting applications for a specialty internship in ophthalmology. The ophthalmology service at Auburn University is a busy service that provides training in small animal, equine, food animal, avian, and exotic ophthalmology. The ophthalmology service is composed of both a small and large animal ophthalmology service; therefore, a strong interest in equine ophthalmology is expected by all applicants. The specialty intern selected will be required to participate in 1 weekend per month (day shifts, not overnight shifts) of emergency receiving/inpatient management in the small animal ER, under the guidance and supervision of ER residents and faculty in conjunction with the after-hours emergency ophthalmology service. The service is supported by three members of the ACVO: Drs. Phillip Anthony Moore, Shannon Boveland and Anna Catherine Bowden, two ophthalmology technicians, one customer service representative, three residents and one specialty intern.

The application deadline is November 30, 2024. Applications should include a letter of intent, CV, and three letters of reference/recommendation. Letters of reference/recommendation must be emailed directly from the reference on professional letterhead to Dr. Shannon D. Boveland (sdb0048@auburn.edu).

All applicants must hold a DVM or equivalent degree and have completed a rotating internship or have at least one year of comparable practice experience. The start date of the ophthalmology internship will be July 15, 2025, and it is one year in length. Stipend for the ophthalmology internship is $35,000.00.

Graduate school: All intern candidates must be able to meet entrance requirements for the AU Graduate School (the GRE requirement is waived) and must be enrolled in the AU Graduate School throughout the program. US Citizens and permanent residents are non-degree seeking graduate students. International interns must be enrolled in a non-thesis Master of Science program. All interns receive a tuition waiver for graduate courses. The program provides a fellowship that covers the majority of other graduate school related fees (e.g. graduate student health insurance, first ID card, parking permit, student services fees) that are not completely covered by the tuition waiver. Out of pocket expenses for fees and insurance do not typically exceed $600/year (unless partners/spouses or dependents are included in graduate student health insurance). Fees are set by the university and are subject to change. Additional information can be found at: Health Insurance Program - Graduate School (auburn.edu)

Official transcripts are required for application to the graduate school, which only occurs after acceptance into the internship program. Transcripts for ALL college coursework will be required.

International candidates: We do consider foreign nationals for our internship and residency programs. Once accepted, the candidate works with the AU Graduate School, and the Office of International Programs to get the proper paperwork for the appropriate visa (typically an F1 student visa). Most visas require sponsorship from a program. If you are unsure about which work authorization is required or if you qualify, please contact the program before you apply. All expenses related to obtaining the visa are the responsibility of the candidate.

If an international candidate is accepted as an ophthalmology specialty intern, all international applicants must submit an official score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) directly to the Auburn University Graduate School from the Education Testing Service or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Exemptions are considered on a case-by case-basis by the Graduate School, depending on their official government language and medium of instruction. Students must score at least 550 on the paper TOEFL (pBT), 213 on the computer TOEFL (cBT), and 79 on the internet TOEFL (iBT) or 6.5 Overall Band Score on the IELTS to be considered for admission. On the iBT, students must score a minimum of 16 on the four component parts of the iBT (reading, speaking, and writing).

Licensure: Faculty state license is not required to apply to the program, but it is required (by examination) of the matched candidate. If a candidate is accepted into the ophthalmology internship program, all requirements must be met to hold and maintain a faculty license in the State of Alabama. All residents (including those from non-AVMA accredited schools) are on a faculty license for the State of Alabama and can only practice veterinary medicine for Auburn University with that license. An intern who is a graduate of an AVMA-accredited school or has completed ECFVG can choose to pay for a full state license, which would be required if a resident was to do approved moonlighting within the state of Alabama.

State license fee is $250, which is initially paid by resident but will be reimbursed by

Department of Clinical Sciences.

See https://asbvme.alabama.gov/ and click “licensees”, "forms", then “faculty application” for information on licensure requirements.

The NAVLE is not required when applying for an Alabama faculty license.

Background check: Employment at Auburn University is contingent upon verification of credentials and successful completion of a background check.

Additional information: The ophthalmology internship will be no more than one year in length. Membership in the AVMA is required to begin the internship to obtain professional liability insurance paid by the department.

Any required work permits, or visas are the responsibility of the applicant.

A DEA license is required after hire. USDA accreditation is not required.

No contract, non-compete, or return of service agreements are required. Parking is $180/year and is partially subsidized by the department.

For more information concerning the ophthalmology internship, the applicants may contact Drs. Shannon Boveland at sdb0048@auburn.edu, Phillip Anthony Moore at pam0019@auburn.edu, or Anna Catherine Bowden at azb0261@auburn.edu.

The candidate(s) selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in the United States at the time the appointments are scheduled to begin and must be able to communicate effectively in English.

For general information contact Farah White (fld0007@auburn.edu), Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1390 Hoerlein Hall, Auburn University, Auburn, Al 36849-5540 (phone 334-844-5367). More information about Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine and the community can be found at the University web sites: www.auburn.edu or www.vetmed.auburn.edu. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Auburn University is an EEO/Vet/Disability Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.