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OPEN FOR ENROLLMENT
TO
VETERINARY SUPPORT STAFF

    
VSPN CE Course STAF136-1015: Introductory Veterinary Assisting Module 2
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.

  » Enroll Now

Instructor: Charlotte Waack, AA, AAS, BS, CVT, RVT
Course Open: October 13, 2015-November 13, 2015
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, October 20, 27 and November 3, 2015; 9:30-11:00pm 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 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 ccourse covers foundational small animal nursing and hospital assisting techniques, is primarily for the novice employee, and will include components of radiology, 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. (RACE #22-18185) The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is RACE Provider #22.

Course Description:
You have the basic veterinary assisting skills down and it is time to improve your knowledge base regarding pharmacy, laboratory and radiology! 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 combine 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.

About the Instructor:
Charlotte Waack has worked in the field of veterinary medicine since 1990 and is currently the VSPN Director and VSPN CE Interim Director. She also is an adjunct faculty member at San Juan Community College and teaches veterinary assisting at John Wood Community College

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session October 20): 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 2 (Real Time Session October 27): 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.

Week 3 (Real Time Session November 3): Diagnostic Imaging-Radiology, Ultrasonography, and Endoscopy
Content: This session will cover diagnostic imaging options available including radiology, ultrasonography, and endoscopy. The basics and terminology related to each of these imaging options will be covered. The session will also cover positioning, restraint and handling issues relating to these procedures. Personal safety precautions will also be reiterated (from Module 1) for radiology.

CE Credits: 4.5

Tuition: $90 ($81 early bird special if enrolled by September 22, 2015)
*Enroll in all three modules by September 14, 2015 and receive a 15% discount off the original 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 5 PM ET, October 20, 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:
  » Enroll Now
  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 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 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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