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Clinical Instructor, Large Animal Surgery

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted Jun 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you had to tell an owner that surgery was possible but might not be the right choice financially or for the animal.

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate prognosis and cost honestly with clients facing hard decisions about large animals.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a senior clinician about a case plan. What happened?

What they are checking: Whether they can raise a concern respectfully in a hierarchy without undermining the attending.

How do you work with the certified veterinary technicians on a busy surgery day?

What they are checking: Whether they treat technicians as partners, which keeps a large animal surgery service running smoothly.

This is a one-year position that could be extended. What do you hope to build during the year, and how would it serve the section?

What they are checking: Whether their goals line up with the school's clinical and teaching needs during a fixed term.

What would you do

The section has three ACVS Diplomates. How would you fit in as a clinical instructor and make their workload lighter?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the support role of this position and can work well alongside board-certified surgeons.

A student makes an error during patient care that could have hurt the horse. How do you handle it with the student afterward?

What they are checking: Whether they can correct a learner firmly while keeping the teaching environment safe for asking questions.

About the work

Walk me through how you receive a colic case after hours, from the first phone call to the decision about surgery.

What they are checking: Whether their case receiving and medical decision-making are sound and organized under time pressure.

How do you decide how much of a procedure or case to hand to a veterinary student versus an intern or resident?

What they are checking: Whether they can match teaching responsibility to a learner's level while keeping the patient safe.

What surgical procedures in horses and food animals are you most comfortable performing or assisting with, and where do you want to grow?

What they are checking: Whether they have an honest view of their own skills, which matters for case assignment in a teaching hospital.

How do you teach clinical reasoning at the stall side, not just technical skills?

What they are checking: Whether they can help students think through cases rather than simply follow instructions.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term) Job Profile: Clinical Instructor Job Summary: The Department of Surgical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine is soliciting applications for 1 full-time position as Clinical Instructor in Large Animal Surgery. This is a one-year position that has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding. The successful candidate will join the Large Animal Surgery Section, which is comprised of 3 full-time ACVS Diplomates (including 1 ACVSMR double boarded surgeon), 3 residents/interns, and a dynamic group of certified veterinary technicians. The Clinical Instructor in Large Animal Surgery will contribute to the clinical, teaching, and service missions of the School of Veterinary Medicine through: · Providing direct LAS case receiving, patient care, medical decision-making, and client communication for LAS patients. · Delivering clinical instruction, supervision, and mentorship to veterinary students, interns, and residents during LAS patient care activities. · Participating in LAS case receiving and/or teaching activities. · Supporting a collaborative learning environment through bedside teaching, case discussions, and clinical oversight of learners. · Participating in additional educational activities, as appropriate, including LAS procedures, laboratories, topic rounds, and other student-centered teaching opportunities. · Working collaboratively with faculty, house officers, veterinary technicians, and staff to support excellence in patient care and education. This position does not include formal research requirements, though participation in scholarly or educational activities is welcomed based on individual interests. Key Job Responsibilities: Clinical service within the Section of Large Animal Surgery at UW Veterinary Care including daytime and emergency duty, and back-up on call support to large animal surgery residents, interns, and technicians. Participation in clinical and didactic teaching of veterinary students and interns and residents in large animal surgery. Up to 30-32 weeks of clinical duty per year. Will cover an equitable portion of lecture and laboratory teaching shared with the section (most recently averaging 10 lectures and 10 laboratories per year). Required to be capable of lifting up to 40 pounds, standing or walking for prolonged periods, able to reach and/or climb a ladder, kneel or sit on the floor, bending, squatting, and/or twisting. Department: University of Wisconsin, Madison - School of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Surgical Sciences Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf Required Qualifications: · Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent degree) by start date. · Eligibility for veterinary licensure in the State of Wisconsin by start date. · American College of Veterinary Surgeons Board Eligible by start date as a result of advanced training in Large Animal Surgery. Applicants with experience in surgery in species such as large ruminants, camelids, etc. are strongly encouraged to apply. An individual with European College of Veterinary Surgeons Board eligibility may also be considered . · Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative clinical environment. Education: · Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent degree) by start date. How to Apply: To apply for this position, please upload a cover letter, resume, and a document listing three professional references. Please note that this position is being listed simultaneously with JRs 10012026, 10012044, and 10012063 but only one position exists. Contact Information: If you have questions, please contact Jody Silva at jlsilva@wisc.edu 608-263-5633. Specific questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Sabrina Brounts at sabrina.brounts@wisc.edu Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website . To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you. Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .

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