Diagnostic Imaging Residencies

Diagnostic Imaging Residencies

There are 3 radiology resident openings available to begin in August 2025:

2 Traditional ACVR-DI residency position (80% small animal, 15% large animal, 5% exotics) (UC Davis funded)

1 Traditional ACVR-DI residency position (80% small animal, 15% large animal, 5% exotics) (Antech sponsored)

*Each program qualifies for the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI), as well as for the American College of Veterinary radiology (ACVR).

*Applicants can apply to both available residency positions. Please clearly mention in your application e-mail and in the intent letter which position(s) you are applying for.

There is currently no opening for an Equine Diagnostic Imaging (EDI) residency. The next EDI residency position is expected to start In August 2026 with applications due in October 2025.

RESIDENCY EXPECTATIONS

Objectives of the program:
A four-year residency program in diagnostic radiology is offered in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital under the direction of faculty from the Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis. Completion of the training program fulfills the requirements of the American College of Veterinary Radiology and the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, and makes the candidate eligible for Diplomate status in both colleges if desired. The program prepares the resident for a career in private or academic practice in the broad field of diagnostic radiology.

The need for specific training:
Radiologists are in demand in clinical practice and in academic practice. The specialty contributes to many aspects of patient care, and is integral to a high proportion of research activities that use imaging as outcome measures. The residency program prepares residents to perform to a high standard in both academic and private practice settings.

Courses of activities:
The training program consists of clinical experience with diagnostic case work-ups of small and large animals, daily rounds, interpretation seminars, journal clubs, and formal lectures given at the School of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Medicine, University of California, Davis. Residents are assigned to a service area for clinical duty daily, with supervision of faculty. Residents are responsible for overseeing imaging studies and generating reports, as well as interacting with referring service clinicians on the findings and recommendations for further testing. On-call duty is shared among the residents, with support from senior residents and faculty.

Oral report skills are developed weekly at Known Case Conference rounds, in preparation for the Certifying board exam. Teaching assignments are included to provide residents with the opportunity to gain instructional experience. Participation in hospital rounds and other residency training activities provides the opportunity to gain additional insight into medicine, surgery, and other specialty areas to enrich their professional advancement.

Residents are expected to conduct their own research project(s) under the supervision of a faculty member. Residents are required to make a formal presentation of their research project(s) at the Annual House Officer Seminar Days during their residency. During the fourth year, an opportunity exists for the resident to concentrate in one specialty area.

Structure and organization:

Traditional training program:

1st year: An initial orientation period including the technical aspects of both large and small animal radiology (3 weeks). The remainder of the year will consist of rotations through small animal radiology and ultrasound, and initial exposure to large animal radiology and CT.

2nd year: An introduction to technical aspects of CT and MRI will be provided at beginning of the year. Time is spent in all service areas with a focus on advanced imaging and large animal radiology. A 2-week rotation in cardiology will also be provided.

3rd year: responsibilities in all service areas including a 1-week rotation in large animal ultrasound and 1-2 weeks in cardiology.

4th year: Responsibilities in all service areas, including oversight of junior residents. 

Equine diagnostic imaging program:

1st year: The first year will emphasize ultrasound with some clinical weeks in large animal radiology.

2nd year: Clinical time will be spent in large animal radiology, advanced imaging (CT, MRI, PET)

3rd year: The resident will spend clinical time in all service areas including some weeks in small animal radiology, ultrasound and advanced imaging.

4th year: The resident will have responsibilities in large animal imaging.

Faculty participating in the program:

Table 1: Faculty/Areas of Interest

SAR = Small Animal Radiology, LAR = Large animal Radiology, US = Small Animal Ultrasound, NM = Nuclear Medicine, CT = Computed Tomography, MR = Magnetic Resonance Imaging, LAUS = Large Animal ultrasound

• Process of evaluation: Describe the specific process by which the academic progress of residents will be evaluated, and the VMTH policy that will be followed in dismissing a resident.

Residents are formally reviewed every year throughout the residency training program. All faculty provide an analysis of the resident's ability, capabilities, and productivity. Input is sought from our staff, faculty, and house officers from other services. The review is discussed with the resident in a formal meeting with the Residency Program Director. A comprehensive evaluation form is used to document aspects of performance that require improvement as well as those in which the resident excels. In addition, the residency program director and other faculty meet informally with residents on an as needed basis to provide additional guidance.

• Certification: Describe the specific requirements that must be met before a residency certificate can be awarded.

Residents must make satisfactory progress at each evaluation, and present their research findings at the Veterinary Intern & Resident Research Symposium as well as at an ACVR or other meeting.

• State Licensure:

Not required.

SPECIAL NOTE: All veterinarians practicing in our state, including those employed by the University of California, must hold a current California veterinary license. If a selected applicant does not already hold a current California veterinary license, they must apply with the California Veterinary Medical Board to obtain their California State Veterinarian License or University license as soon as possible after acceptance to a program. Our House Officer Coordinator will provide licensing information to selected candidates.  Licensing fees are not paid by the program and are the responsibility of the candidate.

• Advanced degree during residency: Residents are usually not permitted to work toward an advanced degree during their residency training program.  Exceptions are Dairy Production Medicine, and Livestock Reproduction/Herd Health.  These programs provide an opportunity for the resident to obtain a Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine degree.

Not permitted.

• California Driver’s License: Programs in which the resident/intern is required to drive university owned vehicles are required to obtain a California drivers license, and participate in the DMV pull notice program.

Not required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduated from a college or school of veterinary medicine accredited by the AVMA; or possess a certificate issued by the Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG); or are legally qualified to practice veterinary medicine in some state, province, territory, or possession of the United States, Canada, or other country.

  Residents are required to have graduated from a veterinary college, and to be licensed to practice in their state or country.

• Have demonstrated unquestionable moral character and professional behavior.

  Applications and reference letters are evaluated for exhibiting high moral character and professional behavior.

Requirements for foreign applicants:

In addition to the minimum qualifications above, foreign graduates must also meet the following requirement.

Candidates should be US citizens, US permanent residents, or foreign nationals eligible for a J1 scholar visa (and at the time of application not be subject to holds, bars or in-country rules) or Canadian/ Mexican citizens eligible for a TN visa. We will NOT pursue other visa categories. Candidates will be expected to pay for their visa fees. The offer of a residency may be withdrawn if written evidence of a visa is not provided by July 1, 2025.
https://siss.ucdavis.edu/scholars_depts/j_visa/index.html

Service/Board requirements:

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• One year internship/equivalent experience required?  Yes
• California Drivers License Required?  No

Residency Requirements

The applicant must have graduated from a School of Veterinary Medicine and must have at least one year of clinical experience after graduation (private practice or internship). The selection of residents is based on academic achievement, career objectives, letters of evaluation, interpersonal skills, clinical skills, and pertinent experience. Please provide a contact email address that will be valid through the end of December 2024.

Application Process and Deadlines for 2025

Three resident positions in diagnostic imaging will be available for the 2025 application cycle, beginning the residency in August 2025. Two of the positions are traditional ACVR-DI residencies, with two funded by the veterinary hospital and one sponsored by Antech. Each program qualifies for the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI), as well as for the American College of Veterinary radiology (ACVR). Applicants can choose to apply to several positions. Selected candidates will be invited to conduct Zoom interviews and will be contacted by email.

Schedule

SELECTION WILL NOT UTILIZE THE VETERINARY INTERNSHIP/RESIDENCY MATCHING PROGRAM (VIRMP). For application procedures, salary and benefits, and other information about the residency program, please see General Information on the VMTH website

Application Materials

1. A letter of intent. Please clearly mention which residency position(s) you are applying for.
2. Transcripts from veterinary school(s) (an official English translation must be included if not in English).
3. Three letters of recommendation
4. Curriculum vitae

Send materials electronically to vmthhouseofficerapplication@ucdavis.edu with the program you are applying to in the subject line. You may email the Resident Affairs Coordinator to check that your application has been received. For more information please visit the following page: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/education/internships-residencies/howtoapply

The University of California, Davis, and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.