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OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
TO
VETERINARY SUPPORT STAFF

    
VSPN CE Course TECH247-0815: Toxicology Basics
Audio and Text: In some of the course Real Time Sessions the lecture will be predominantly audio
while in others the lecture will be predominantly text.

  

Instructor: Erin Freed, AAS, CVT
Course Open: August 4, 2015-September 11, 2015
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, August 11, 18, 25 and September 1, 2015; 8:00-9:30pm ET
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.

*The instructor for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend one of the Practice Sessions.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic course course is focused towards all veterinary support staff and concentrates on the basic concepts of toxicology and the treatment and nursing care of toxicity cases.
VSPN CE Course: This course has been submitted for RACE approval for veterinary technicians only. Veterinary Information Network�s RACE provider number is #22.

Course Description:
Companion animals are curious creatures and with this curiosity, poison emergencies may occur. To help our veterinarians diagnose and treat these cases efficiently, the team needs to understand the basics of toxicology. This course will provide information to help participants understand basic fundamentals of toxicology, misconceptions, prevention, recording an adequate history for common poison emergencies that occur in dogs and cats. This course will also offer an overview of common toxins including decontamination and basic management therefore allowing participants to better assist clients and veterinarians in the event of a toxicology emergency.

This course consists of four (4) Real Time Sessions of ninety (90) minutes each, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course.

*The lecture portion of this course will combine both text and audio presentation, please be prepared to listen.

*To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

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

Required Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course.

Recommended Textbook:

About the Instructor:
Erin Freed is a certified veterinary technician and works at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). She received her AAS in veterinary technology from Parkland Community College in 2005 and is currently pursuing a BAS in veterinary hospital business management from St. Petersburg College�s online distance learning program. Erin worked in private practice and at the University of Illinois for five years prior to accepting a job with the APCC in 2006. During her time with the APCC, she has organized monthly support staff rounds for continued learning, spoken at the ASPCA continual education conferences, and given toxicology presentations to veterinary technology students at various colleges. She has written protocols for the APCC that are used within the center and has written peer-reviewed articles that have been published in the Veterinary Technician Journal and NAVTA Journal. Erin authored a chapter on the renal system for the Small Animal Toxicology Essentials book and will soon be published in the Veterinary Medicine Journal. She is a moderator for the Veterinary Personnel Support Network, and also a current member of ISVMA and NAVTA. Erin currently lives in Champaign-Urbana, IL with her husband Cory; Chihuahua/Yorkie mix Sadie; her two cats, Miss Kitty and Switch; and a tank full of fish.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session August 11): Basic Toxicology Concepts
Content: This session will include discussions on the fundamentals of toxicology including the movement of a toxicant through the body through absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Participants will learn how to calculate dosages a veterinarian may prescribe for specific toxins and learn what products are needed in the clinic to be prepared for poison emergencies. We will also cover poison prevention and misconceptions in toxicology.

Week 2 (Real Time Session August 18): History Taking, Decontamination, and Assessment
Content: In this session attendees will learn the initial steps to take during a poison emergency from the initial phone call from the client through the presentation of the patient. We will discuss how to collect a detailed history in addition to patient decontamination and assessment.

Week 3 (Real Time Session August 25): Ten Most Common Pet Toxins of 2014 Part I
Content: This session will include discussions on various toxins listed in the ASPCA�s Ten Most Common Pet Toxins of 2014. Toxins that we will cover include lawn and garden products, rodenticides, plants, chocolate, and veterinary medications. Attendees will learn the severity of various toxins, symptoms associated with these toxins, and basic management.

Week 4 (Real Time Session September 1): Ten Most Common Pet Toxins of 2014 Part II
Content: This last week will continue with discussing various toxins listed in the ASPCA�s Ten Most Common Pet Toxins of 2014. Toxins that we will cover include human foods, household items, insecticides, over-the-counter medications, and human prescriptions. Attendees will learn the severity of various toxins, symptoms associated with these toxins, and basic management.

CE Credits: 6

Tuition: $123 ($108 early bird special if enrolled by July 31, 2015)

* 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).
*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close at 5pm ET on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, or when the maximum number of participants is reached.
*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
  
  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 800-846-0028 ext. 792 or email VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
*Note: "This course is submitted for approval for 6 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 CE at 800-846-0028 ext. 792 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 VSPN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VSPN office at 800-846-0028 ext. 792.

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

Charlotte Waack, RVT, CVT
VSPN Director/VSPN CE Interim Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452 226154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357


800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035
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