VSPN TECH295-0519: Basic Oncology Overview

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Enrollment is closed.
Instructor: Jenny Cassibry Fisher, RVT, VTS(Oncology)
Course Open: May 28, 2019- July 5, 2019
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, June 4, 11 , 18 and 25, 2019; 9:00-10:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

To prepare for your online experience, review the VIN-VSPN CE informational video prior to the course open date.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic course will be open to veterinary technicians/technologists and support staff actively interested in veterinary oncology.
VSPN CE Course: Open to veterinary support staff. “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(22-36448) “

Course Description:
This basic oncology course will provide a broad overview of the principles of oncology, including early detection, diagnostics, cancer treatments, radiation and chemotherapy safety, and treatment side effects.

Week 1 (Real Time Session June 4): Education Over Fear; All Things Veterinary
Suggested reading: Oncology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses; Moore and Frimberger
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Identify the current standards for early cancer detection.
  • Identify and discuss the two main fine needle aspirate techniques.
  • Identify and discuss basic cellular characteristics based upon tissue origin.
  • Identify and discuss staging tests utilized with cancer patients.
  • Identify and discuss the main cancer treatment modalities.
Week 2 (Real Time Session June 11): Tumor Two-Fur; Common Small Animal Tumor Review
Suggested reading: Oncology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses; Moore and Frimberger
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Identify the two most commonly diagnosed tumors in small animal medicine.
  • Identify and discuss the presentation variations with lymphoma between dogs and cats.
  • Identify and discuss the staging of canine lymphoma.
  • Identify and discuss prognostic factors for canine lymphoma.
  • Identify and discuss the histological grading systems of mast cell tumors.
  • Identify and discuss common clinical presentations for feline lymphoma.
Week 3 (Real Time Session June 18): Chemotherapy Gumbo; Safety, Rules and You
Suggested reading: Oncology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses; Moore and Frimberger
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Identify and discuss the implications for chemotherapy treatment.
  • Name and discuss the governing bodies and their roles with hazardous drug handling.
  • Name, identify, and discuss the three categories within the NIOSH HD list (2016).
  • Identify and discuss the engineering requirements within USP 800.
  • Identify and discuss proper PPE and CSTD within USP 800.
Week 4 (Real Time Session June 25): Beam Me Up; Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiation in Veterinary Oncology
Suggested reading: Oncology for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses; Moore and Frimberger
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Identify and describe the differences in diagnostic and therapeutic radiation.
  • Identify and discuss the differences between orthovoltage and megavoltage treatment indications.
  • Discuss ALARA principles for radiation safety.
  • Identify and discuss some of the commonly used positioning devices for radiation therapy.
  • Discuss the similarities and differences between acute and delayed radiation toxicity with medical managements of both.
  • Identify and discuss positioning devices used in patient set up and treatment.
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: There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Instructor:
Jenny Fisher, RVT, VTS (SAIM-oncology) has worked in the veterinary field for 26 years. From working in the kennels at the age of 15, to becoming a registered veterinary technician in 2002. Her clinical experience includes 13 years as the head oncology technician at Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics. Main clinical duties included supervising other technical staff, overseeing daily radiation and chemotherapy treatments, responsible for anesthetizing and positioning radiation therapy patients, teaching fourth year veterinary students, managing the radioactive iodine program, as well as serving on many administrative committees. After receiving her VTS (SAIM-Oncology) in 2015, Jenny left full-time academia and took a position as the Director of Education for PractiVet Animal Health

Total CE Credit: 6

Tuition: Member $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by May 14, 2019)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on June 4, 2019 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.

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 . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

*Note: "This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(22-36448) " ;

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.

Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
VSPN CE Coordinator

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