Marine Mammals of Maine Veterinary Preceptorship Announcement

Marine Mammals of Maine (MMoME) is now accepting applications through February 3, 2022, for marine mammal veterinary preceptorship positions. The preceptorship begins on May 16^th, 2022, and extends through August 15^th, 2022. MMoME is a non-profit organization federally authorized to respond to live and dead marine mammals and sea turtles between Kittery and Rockland, Maine, covering some of the busiest seal stranding activity on the East Coast. MMoME also operates a unique triage and rehabilitation center which provides critical care to sick and injured pinnipeds. Additionally, our mission heavily encompasses marine mammal research and education.

We are seeking actively enrolled veterinary students to assist with the upcoming 2022 harbor seal pup season. Preceptors, interns, and volunteers are critical in fulfilling our mission and are given the unique opportunity to participate in a variety of activities. On a day-to-day basis, preceptors work under the supervision and direction of MMoME staff and join our marine mammal veterinarian for regular patient rounds and a mentored project. Additionally, preceptors work daily alongside non-veterinary interns as a team leader to accomplish our broad scope of work during our busiest time of year. Preceptors will learn marine mammal field health assessment, handling, basic husbandry and clinical care of pinnipeds, as well as data collection, necropsy, and sampling of deceased marine mammals. The preceptorship is based out of Midcoast Maine (town of Brunswick), though travel throughout our response region and New England will be necessary. Preceptors will be required to dedicate a minimum of 50 hours per week (minimum of 4 days/week), and will include holidays, weekends, late nights, early mornings, and overnight care for critical patients as needed. This opportunity is unpaid, though seasonal job opportunities are available in the area. Housing is not provided but staff can assist with sourcing options.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Shared Among Preceptors and Non-Veterinary Interns:
Stranding Response: Respond to live and dead cetacean, pinniped and sea turtle strandings to collect Level A data, perform health assessments, and monitor, relocate, and collect for humane euthanasia or rehabilitation. Carcass collection for disposal or necropsy will also be required.

In-House Patient Care: Assist with all aspects relating to the care of sick, injured and abandoned pinnipeds (primarily harbor seal pups) undergoing short, or long-term care at MMoME’s center. Tasks include primarily cleaning, but also meal prep, tube-feeding, assisting with medical procedures, animal restraint for exams, running lab samples, medical record maintenance, and animal transport to other long-term care facilities.

Necropsy: Transport carcasses to necropsy or compost sites, assist staff with necropsy of fresh dead pinnipeds and cetaceans, archive necropsy samples, and maintain and clean necropsy equipment.

Education and Outreach: Give presentations to the public about the organization, attend outreach events, and help create educational materials.

Other Tasks: Additional time will be spent on data entry, fundraising, extensive cleaning, and other tasks as needed.

Veterinary Preceptor-Specific Responsibilities:
-Collect and process biological and diagnostic samples from stranded marine mammals, as well as from pinniped patients in MMoME’s care. For example, blood samples from live marine mammals for diagnostic health evaluation, swabs from live and dead marine mammals for disease monitoring with partner research labs and patient health testing, culture samples from live and dead cases, necropsy tissue samples for histology or PCR testing, etc.

-Regular clinical rounds with MMoME’s veterinarian.

-Assist staff and veterinarian with, and carry out clinical procedures such as IV, IM, or SQ injections and fluid therapy.

-Provide more advanced medical care to critical patients with direction from staff at the late-night feed when needed (IV fluid administration, blood glucose monitoring, checking vitals, etc.)

-Provide after-hours medical care of triage or rehab patients in need of extended critical care as needed, and as directed by staff and veterinarian.

-Generally responsible for ensuring daily workflow in animal care room follows feed and treatment schedule created by staff and veterinarian.

-Conduct a project mentored by MMoME’s veterinarian (case study, nutritional study, etc.) to be completed during the preceptorship and presented to MMoME staff, veterinarian, and community. Research opportunities may be available depending on student interest, time, resources, and permitting.

-Must be actively enrolled in an accredited veterinary program pursuing a DVM or similar degree. First, second, and third year domestic and international students are encouraged to apply.

-Must be available to start no later than May 16^th, 2022, and must be able to commit to the full preceptorship extending through August 15^th, 2022. Preference given to those that can start prior to May 16^th. These dates may be flexible +/- a few days, but shorter time periods are not permitted.

-Must have demonstrated experience with physical restraint of animals in a clinical setting. Wildlife handling is preferred, though not required.

-Must be able to work well as a positive team member with other non-veterinary interns, volunteers, staff, and veterinarian; work well with limited supervision; and be adaptable to a changing and unpredictable workday.

-Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and be in good physical shape.

-Must have a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and a reliable vehicle, and willing to drive a full-size truck in urban and rural areas.

-Preference given to applicants with wildlife husbandry experience and a demonstrated interest in marine mammal or conservation medicine.

-Proof of rabies vaccination or current titer.

How to Apply

Please send a letter of interest which addresses the following questions: why you would like to be considered for this preceptorship, how you meet the requirements, what your expectations are, what you think MMoME’s expectations are, what you hope to gain from this opportunity, and the start and end dates you can commit to. Your application must also include a resume, one professional letter of recommendation, a copy of your current transcript, and proof of rabies vaccination or current titer.

Completed applications must be sent to info@mmome.org by 11:59 PM EST on February 3, 2022. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.