VSPN TECH120-0922: Fall VTNE Preparation Class

The real time sessions for this course will be presented via Zoom webinar platform.

Presenter: Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, Nutrition)
Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Mark Sharpless, MBA, JM, CMAR, RVT, VTS-Lab Animal Medicine
Tara Woyton, MS, LVT, CVT
Katy Waddell, LVT, VTS (ECC, Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Course Open: September 9-November 16, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Sundays, September 18, 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and November 6, 2022; 8:00-9:30pm ET (USA)   World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 12
RACE Category: 12 hours Medical

Enroll Now  

Tuition: $240($120 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. ) **NOTE: There is NO early bird discount date.

Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
This course is designed to provide a review of the veterinary technician’s essential skills, tasks, and knowledge base as provided by the guide, lines set forth by the AVMA CVTEA for approved veterinary technology programs. Active engagement in the entire course should help organize study time and allow for better competency and test-taking skills. The course library will contain a variety of handouts, study guides, charts, interactives, slide shows, and flashcards. 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.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Describe sample clinical pathology collection, preparation, and handling techniques.
  • Recall procedures in cytology, microbiology, parasitology, serology, and urinalysis.
  • Perform microscopic evaluations for blood smears, fecal tests, and urine sedimentation .
  • Discuss preparation, administration, and dispensation features of pharmacological and biological agents.
  • Educate clients about drug protocols, administration, safety, and side effects of medications.
  • Perform basic medical math calculations.
  • Define terminology and physiology of types of pain.
  • Discuss analgesic techniques in veterinary medicine.
  • Evaluate pain in animals.
  • Discuss and identify common drugs used for premedication, induction, and maintenance of anesthesia.
  • Explain pre-operative considerations including patient assessment, IV catheterization, fluid therapy and airway management.
  • Explain the parts and functions of anesthesia machines.
  • Discuss monitoring parameters and the importance of anesthesia monitoring.
  • Discuss and demonstrate knowledge of preparation and maintenance of the surgical environment.
  • Discuss surgical equipment and supplies.
  • Identify basic surgical instruments.
  • Demonstrate preparation of the surgical site, positioning, and sterile techniques.
  • Discuss and demonstrate small animal nursing procedures of all common species.
  • Discuss nutrition for small animal species.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of reproduction and genetics of small animal species.
  • Provide client communication for nursing procedures of small animal species.
  • Discuss and show proficient knowledge in emergency nursing procedures.
  • Demonstrate knowledge in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute blood loss, fracture stabilization, blood transfusion, fluid therapy, and oxygen therapy.
  • Show knowledge of emergency protocols, planning, and procedures.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of diagnostic imaging equipment, procedures, and positioning.
  • Discuss various types of imaging including endoscopy, ultrasonography, specialty imaging.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of dental procedures and treatment.
  • Identify charting techniques as it relates to small animal dentistry.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of farm animal nursing techniques.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of farm animal behavior.
  • Discuss common farm animal diseases.
  • Identify images of farm animals’ internal and external parasites.
Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate VSPN CE 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.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 12 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. This program is approved for veterinarians | veterinary technicians/technologists | veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (#20-861981)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session September 18): Laboratory Procedures (Domain 40)
This session 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 25): Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Domain 10) & Pain Management and Analgesia (Domain 90)
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. We will define the terminology and discuss the types of pain and physiology leading to the classification of drugs commonly used to provide analgesia. Analgesic techniques such as local and regional blocks and constant rate infusions will also be discussed. Last, the importance of evaluating and recognizing pain in animals will be reviewed as essential veterinary technician nursing skills.

Week 3 (Real Time Session October 2): Anesthesia (Domain 70)
This week will build on pharmacology with a discussion of the drugs used for premedication, induction, and maintenance of anesthesia. Pre-operative considerations including patient assessment, fasting, IV catheterization, fluid therapy, and airway management will be addressed. The importance of anesthesia monitoring and how to interpret the monitored parameters will be covered including a discussion on the anesthesia machine, its parts and functions. Brief coverage of client education regarding anesthetic procedures and postoperative care will be included.

Week 4 (Real Time Session October 9): Surgical Nursing (Domain 20)
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 5 (Real Time Session October 16): Animal Care and Nursing and Zoonoses (Domain 50)
This session 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.

Week 6 (Real Time Session October 23): Animal Care and Nursing and Zoonoses (Domain 50 continued) and Emergency Medicine/Critical Care (Domain 80)
This week will cover emergency critical care situations and presentations into the nursing aspect. 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, treatment protocols, and procedures.

Week 7 (Real Time Session October 30): Diagnostic Imaging (Domain 60) and Dentistry (Domain 30)

We will cover diagnostic imaging including equipment maintenance, procedures for optimum results, and positioning. 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 6): Review of Farm Animal Medicine and Nursing (Equine, Bovine, Swine, Caprine, and Ovine species)
Large animal medicine and nursing will be covered as a focus incorporating all domains of the VTNE with emphasis on equine and food animals.

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

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.


Enroll Now  

Tuition: $240($120 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. ) **NOTE: There is NO early bird discount date.

Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

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


Enrollment qualifications:
  1. VIN CE Courses:
    1. VIN CE courses are open to VIN member, VIN student member, and non-member veterinarians.
    2. Veterinary support staff must be VSPN members in order to enroll in a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. VSPN CE Courses:
    1. VSPN CE courses are open to veterinary support staff and veterinarians.
    2. Only VIN and VSPN members can enroll in a VSPN CE course.
    3. Veterinarians will only receive credit for those VSPN CE courses that specify in the Accreditation statement that the course is accredited for veterinarians.
  3. Please check the course Level and Prerequisites, Accreditation, and Tuition before enrolling.
  4. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses.
    1. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  5. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.


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 office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

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

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357