STAF136-1013: Introductory Veterinary Assisting Module 2

INSTRUCTOR(S): Heather Howell, RVT, LVT, MBA and Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
COURSE OPEN: October 28-November 27, 2013
REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS):Mondays, November 4, 11, and 18, 2013; 9:30pm-11:00pm 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.

*The instructors 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, introductory level course covers foundational small animal nursing and hospital assisting techniques, is primarily for the novice employee, and will include components of euthanasia, grief, pharmacology, and laboratory diagnostics. Supervisors and managers may find the course helpful in hiring and organizing training protocols for their hospitals.
VSPN CE Course: This course has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians only.

Course Description:
You have the basic veterinary assisting skills down and it is time to improve your knowledge base regarding pharmacy, laboratory and euthanasia/grief! As an integral component of the veterinary healthcare team, you will learn interpretation of written prescriptions and the terminology associated with prescriptions, how to fill prescriptions accurately and enhance customer compliance by explaining how to administer medications. Veterinary assistants are often the primary staff in the set-up, collection, and client interaction regarding many standard diagnostic laboratory tests. Understanding the importance of accurate collection, set up, and maintenance of laboratory equipment is essential knowledge for assistants and your accuracy and attentiveness to these duties can drastically affect patient care. Each module in this three module series becomes increasingly more technical and provides new information, making all three modules a valuable learning resource for veterinary assistants.

This course consists of three (3) 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 be presented with text, audio will be used to answer questions. Please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• summarize the basic technical aspects of euthanasia.
• identify and recognize the stages of grief and learn to manage personal on the job grief and stress surrounding patient deaths.
• explain and compute terminology associated with prescription, routes of administration, and pharmacy nomenclature.
• discuss laboratory diagnostics available including blood work, urinalysis, and fecal examinations.
• describe and outline collection and specimen handling procedures and the assistant's role in these areas.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course. A list of recommended resources for participants will be provided in the course library.

About the Instructors:
Heather Howell is a credentialed veterinary technician in CA and NV. She received her BS in Animal Science at UC Davis and her MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno. Since 1988, she has worked in all capacities of the veterinary hospital including hospital administrator, practice management consultant, and instructor.Mary Mould has 18 years of experience in veterinary medicine as an RVT. She received her BAS in Veterinary Technology from St. Petersburg College and her MEd from University of Phoenix. Her experience not only includes veterinary technician duties but also expands on management and teaching.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session November 4): Euthanasia
Content: This lecture will cover the sensitive issue of euthanasia and how to compassionately handle clients and their pets during this emotional time. We will cover and explain the stages of grief and how grief affects people. We will approach how to manage the emotions and stress you and your hospital team may feel from being involved with this process. In addition, we will review patient handling techniques and client service options that accompany euthanasia.

Week 2 (Real Time Session November 11): Basic Concepts in Prescription Medication and Pharmacology
Content: This session will briefly cover the basics regarding types of medications, their indications, side effects and contraindications, pharmacy nomenclature, and drug routes. Discussion will be focused on how to fill prescriptions, read treatment protocols in medical records, and chart treatments. This session will also cover client communication regarding prescriptions being sent home.

Week 3 (Real Time Session November 18): Laboratory Diagnostics-Hematology, Urinalysis, and Fecal Examinations
Content: This session will cover the basics of laboratory diagnostics available including hematology, urinalysis and fecal examinations. Assisting the veterinary technician in collection and handling of laboratory specimens for diagnostic testing and recording information will be covered. Client communication of basic information such as the importance of sample collection, storage, transportation, length of time for testing, and purpose will be emphasized. This week's lecture will NOT cover specific identification of organisms or hematology in depth.

CE CREDITS: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird special if enrolled by October 14, 2013)
*Enroll in all three modules by 5pm ET on October 7, 2013 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course price.
*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 November 4, 2013, 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 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 4.5 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 & CE Director
&
Charlotte Waack, CVT, RVT
VSPN 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)

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