Veterinary Assistant

Introduction to Veterinary Assisting introduces students to veterinary medical terminology and to animal anatomy, physiology, behavior, and identification of animal breeds and gender. It trains students in safe animal restraint and handling while covering basic veterinary care procedures in the examination room and treatment area. It provides experience in several common clinical procedures, including nail trimming, recording patient history, assessing vital signs, preparing vaccines for administration, and performing basic medication administration techniques.

Veterinary Assistant Small Animal Nursing I gives students the knowledge and skills required to perform basic small-animal nursing in a veterinary setting. Topics include record keeping, safety concerns, vital signs, monitoring hospitalized animals, nutrition, first aid, CPR and basic animal-care skills such as bathing, ear care, and nail trimming. Students learn about euthanasia procedures and post-mortem care. They acquire basic pharmacy skills, and learn about legal issues involving drugs in the workplace. The course covers drug categories, medication delivery methods, preparation of dispenses drugs, and therapeutic diet inventory. Students will learn of animal diseases and zoonoses with core vaccine recommendations for small animals. Emphasis is placed on assisting veterinarians and/or veterinary technicians with procedures.

Veterinary Assistant Office Procedures and Practice Management presents commonly encountered clinical procedures, emphasizing the veterinary assistant's role in managing veterinary patients and records. The course highlights client communications, front desk and phone skills, and professional conduct. Safety measures and OSHA requirements as well as basic math skills are covered. Students will learn about the human-animal bond and the grieving process that occurs upon loss of a pet. The course also introduces veterinary-management software and online veterinary services.

Veterinary Assistant Small Animal Nursing II introduces surgical assistance of the veterinarian and/or the veterinary technician, providing basic information on surgical instruments and surgery-room hygiene. The course covers selected skills, including bandaging, basic grooming, preparing surgical patients, maintaining nursing and surgical equipment, and monitoring post-surgical patients. The course emphasizes assisting the veterinarian and/or veterinary technician with these procedures.

Veterinary Assistant Clinical allows students to supplement coursework with practical work experience related to their educational program. Students work at a veterinary hospital under the immediate supervision of experienced personnel and with direct guidance from the instructor. This clinical experience provides students with practical day-to-day experience in handling and restraining animals, assisting with office procedures, performing clinical laboratory techniques, and undertaking surgical preparation.