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VSPN CE Course TECH120-0913: Practical Review for Veterinary Technicians: F2013 VTNE Preparation Class

INSTRUCTORS:Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT;
Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT;
Mary Mould, MEd, RVT;
Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia);
Mark Sharpless, RVT, CMAR, RLATG, CPIA ; &
Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT, BA

COURSE OPEN: : September 13-December 15, 2013 (Note: For a certificate of completion, participation statistics will be pulled and calculated on November 20 (10 days after the last Real Time Session); however, class message boards will remain open for interaction with the instructors through the VTNE testing window ending December 15, 2013).

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Sundays, September 22, 29, October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3 and 10, 2013; 8:00pm-9:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a Practice Session prior to the first Real Time Session. Please arrive promptly at the start time; each Practice Session is up to 1 hour in length. For more information, please visit the CE Practice Area.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is designed to help veterinary technician students review the basics of veterinary technology in an overview format. It is not designed to provide in-depth knowledge on each subject as it is assumed the student has that knowledge and is reviewing information in preparation for sitting for the VTNE.

VSPN CE Course: This course is RACE approved for veterinary technicians only. Note: This class does not guarantee passage of the exam; we will approach as many topics as possible in an effort to help the student identify levels of competency as an aid to focus study efforts. In depth and advanced topics will NOT be covered.

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a review of the veterinary technician essential skills, tasks, and knowledge base as provided by the guidelines set forth by the AVMA CVTEA for approved veterinary technology programs.

This course consists of eight (8) ninety minute (90) Real Time Sessions covering multiple system review, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session),a mandatory end-of-course test. Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

Upon completion of this course, students Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Textbook(s): Required Textbook(s): Students and graduates of AVMA/Canadian accredited veterinary technology programs should have the majority of, or a similar set of, the references and resources listed for this course. Below is our list of highly recommended texts for adjunctive information. Further suggestions will be available in the course library after the course opens. Recommended Textbook(s):

About the Instructors:
Please click on the instructor names above to view their bio pages.

Course Outline:
The course library will have a Building Blocks section available throughout the entire course with background materials for participants to refresh areas such as Terminology, Office Practices, Client Relations, Ethics, Animal Welfare, Law, Occupational Hazards, and Anatomy/Physiology. These topics may be referred to frequently throughout the course throughout all the domain areas. Materials will be presented in the form of handouts, study guides, charts/tables, interactive games, images, and more. It is recommended participants utilize these areas as adjunctive areas of study.

Week 1 (Real Time Session September 22): Laboratory Procedures (Domain 40)
Lecturer: Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
Content: The materials and RTS will cover collection, sample handling, and preparation of laboratory samples including the associated anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology needed for the procedure. Tests and procedures covered will predominantly include cytology, hematology, microbiology, parasitology, serology, and urinalysis. Inclusion of equipment used as it is related to safety and ensuring quality test results will also be covered.

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 29): Animal Care and Nursing & Zoonoses (Domain 50)
Lecturers:Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT(primary); Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT; & Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
Content: The materials and RTS will cover animal nursing procedures including, but not limited to, restraint, catheterization, wound management, bandaging, and rehabilitation therapy, client education, preventative medicine, and the health, safety, sanitary, and comfort of the patient. Topics such as the physical, behavioral, nutritional, and environmental status of an animal will be addressed. The importance of recordkeeping and documentation, physical examination, and patient status and treatment procedures will be incorporated.

Week 3 (Real Time Session October 6): Animal Care and Nursing & Zoonoses (continued) and Emergency Medicine/Critical Care (Domain 80)
Lecturers: Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT; Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT; & Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
Content: Week 3 will continue the content from Week 2 and then incorporate emergency critical care situations and presentations into the nursing aspect as well as client education features by adding conditions such as shock, acute illness, acute trauma, and toxicity. Emergency nursing procedures including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), acute blood loss, fracture stabilization, blood transfusion, fluid resuscitation, and oxygen therapy will be discussed with reference to emergency planning and treatment protocols and procedures

Week 4 (Real Time Session October 13): Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Domain 10) & Pain Management and Analgesia (Domain 90)
Lecturers: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT & Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Content: This week will begin with a review of the preparation, administration, and dispensation features of pharmacological and biological agents as they relate to veterinary orders and how they should be reiterated to clients for appropriate medicating of the patient. Interactives in the course library will help participants refresh and hone mathematical skills. Next, the pathophysiological assessment needs of patients will be discussed for analgesia and pain management needs as the veterinary technician incorporates these findings into day to day nursing skills to optimize patient comfort and/or healing. Last, the importance of educating clients about protocols, administration, safety, and the side effects of medications will be covered.

Week 5 (Real Time Session October 20): Anesthesia (Domain 70)
Lecturer: Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Content: This week will build on pharmacology and discuss the plan from preanesthetic to peri-anesthesia and include equipment used with emphasis on patient safety and procedural efficacy. The anesthetic plan will cover several types of anesthesia, the monitoring required and patient maintenance required. Brief coverage of client education regarding anesthetic procedures and postoperative care will be included.

Week 6 (Real Time Session October 27): Surgical Nursing (Domain 20)
Lecturer: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT
Content: Surgical nursing will cover the preparation and maintenance of the surgical environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the needs of the surgical team and patient. We will cover patient preparation include the surgical site and positioning, and sterile techniques for both the patient and the surgical environment.

Week 7 (Real Time Session November 3): Diagnostic Imaging (Domain 60) & Dentistry (Domain 30)
Lecturer: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT
Content: We will cover diagnostic imaging including equipment maintenance, procedures for optimum results, and positioning. Techniques and protocols for the various types of imaging will be covered including radiography, endoscopy, ultrasonography, and, briefly, specialty imaging. Dental procedures and treatment review will include prophylaxis, radiography, therapy, and charting as it relates to dental health and the treatment of dental disease and subsequent client education.

Week 8 (Real Time Session November 10): Large Animal Medicine and Nursing
Lecturer: Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT, BA
Content: Large Animal Medicine and Nursing will be covered as a focus incorporating all domains of the VTNE with emphasis on equine and food animals.

CE CREDITS: 12

Tuition:$210 ($105 for enrolled AVMA/Canadian accredited VT program students or those who have graduated within 6 months of the course start date, see below). Tuition fees are deeply discounted thanks to a generous grant from the VIN Foundation: http://www.vinfoundation.org.
**NOTE: There is NO early bird discount date and Enrollment WILL CLOSE on September 20, 2013 at 5pm ET (USA) or earlier if the maximum number of registrants is reached.
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
  4. For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
*Note: "This course is approved for 12 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education." Call VSPN/VIN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Nanette R. Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
Barb Burri (Barb@vspn.org); ext. 764 (New Hampshire)
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193 (Illinois)
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197 (Florida)
Lisa Kernaghan (Lisa@vspn.org); ext 159 (Arizona)
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187 (Colorado)

800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035
777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616
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