VSPN TECH200-1022: CPR

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

Presenter: Courtney Waxman, CVT, VTS (ECC)


Course Open: October 25-December 2, 2022
Real Time Sessions (RTS):Tuesdays, November 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2022; 8:30-10:00pm ET (USA)   World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 6
RACE Category: 6 hours Medical

Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: $132 ($119 early bird special if enrolled by October 11, 2022)
* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Prices are listed in US dollars.


Course Information:
This course is designed to review the current theory and practice of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) based on the RECOVER guidelines in the small animal hospital. This course will focus on veterinary technician interventions and skills used to prepare the hospital for a cardiopulmonary arrest event, identify patients at risk for arrest, basic life support procedures and protocols to follow, advanced life support procedures and protocols to follow, the team approach to CPR, and care of the post-cardiopulmonary arrest patient.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to:
  • Explain the RECOVER initiative.
  • Discuss hospital and staff preparedness.
  • Identify crash cart essentials.
  • Review advanced directive orders.
  • Discuss the CPR roles and team approach.
  • Review compression rates and techniques.
  • Explain cardiac and thoracic pump theories.
  • Discuss intubation and breathing rates.
  • Recognize the importance of 2-minute BLS cycles.
  • Review venous access/IV fluid therapy.
  • Discuss drug therapies used.
  • Explain ECG and ETCO2 monitoring .
  • Name the most common arrest rhythms.
  • Review signs associated with ROSC.
  • Discuss the team approach to CPR, including debriefing.
  • Review medical and nursing care of the post-CPA patient.
  • Identify when to stop CPR efforts.
  • Discuss the quality of life of the post-CPA patient.
  • Review when to stop CPR efforts.
Level and Prerequisites: This basic VSPN CE course will be open for enrollment to veterinary technicians/technologists.

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(20-800585)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session November 1 , 2022): RECOVER & Cardiopulmonary Arrest Preparedness
This session will you give an introduction to the RECOVER Initiative and focus on the concepts of preparedness as a team and facility as well as the different CPR team positions and dynamics

Week 2 (Real Time Session November 8 , 2022): Basic Life Support
This session will focus on the aspects of basic life support, including chest compression technique and posture, ventilation technique and options, and rescuer cycles.

Week 3 (Real Time Session November 15 , 2022): Advanced Life Support
This session will focus on the aspects of advanced life support, including drug access and administration, monitoring device usage and interpretation, and return of spontaneous circulation.

Week 4 (Real Time Session November 22 , 2022): Post-Cardiopulmonary Arrest Care
This session will focus on the aspects of post-cardiopulmonary arrest patient care once return of spontaneous circulation, including debriefing, the post-CPA algorithm, respiratory optimization, hemodynamic optimization, and neuroprotection.

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.


Enrollment is closed.  

Tuition: $132 ($119 early bird special if enrolled by October 11, 2022)
* Students currently enrolled in an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
Prices are listed in US dollars.


*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on November 1, 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