TECH120-0114: Practical Review for Veterinary Technicians: VTNE Preparation Class W2014

INSTRUCTOR(S):
Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT;
Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT;
Mary Mould, MEd, RVT;
Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia);
Mark Sharpless, RVT, CMAR, RLATG, CPIA; &
Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT, BA

COURSE OPEN: January 10-April 15, 2014 (Note: For a certificate of completion, participation statistics will be pulled and calculated on March 19 (10 days after the last Real Time Session); however, class message boards will remain open for interaction with the instructors through the VTNE testing window ending April 15, 2014).

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Sundays, January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, and March 2 and 9, 2014; 8:00pm-9:30pm 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.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate 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.

VSPN CE Course: This course is RACE approved for veterinary technicians only. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is RACE Provider #22.

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.

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a review of the veterinary technician essential skills, tasks, and knowledge base as provided by the guidelines set forth by the AVMA CVTEA for approved veterinary technology programs.

• Due to the large amount of topics covered in this course, the course library will consist of a vast variety of handouts, study guides, charts, interactives, slide shows, and other items that may not always cover what will be covered in the Real Time Session.
• It is highly recommended the participant come to each session having already reviewed the handouts for that week, reviewed the previous week’s materials, utilized the message boards for the course, and is prepared to interact during the Real Time Session.
• Edited Real Time Session transcript logs will be available in the course area library the day after each class session and should be treated as additional handouts, augmenting the course materials.
• Weekly multiple choice online quizzes, flashcards, and a mandatory end-of-course test will allow the participant several opportunities to practice test taking skills.
• Active engagement in the entire run of the course should help students organize their studies and allow for better competency and test taking skills in an organized fashion.

This course consists of eight (8) ninety minute (90) Real Time Session, 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.

Upon completion of this course, students

• should be able to easily recall the basics of veterinary technology (those subjects taught in a typical 2-year veterinary technology program).
• should be able to solve multiple-choice questions similar to those given on the VTNE or any state board exam.
• should be able to locate, examine, and interpret information and apply study materials.
• will have built a network of colleagues through interaction with other course participants for sharing ideas and resources.
• will have been exposed to a minimum of 500 questions stimulating review of basic veterinary technology.

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. Students and graduates of AVMA/Canadian accredited veterinary technology programs should have the majority of, or a similar set of, the references and resources listed for this course. Below is our list of highly recommended texts for adjunctive information. Further suggestions will be available in the course library after the course opens.
Recommended Textbook(s):

• Blood, D. C., Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (Ed.) (2011). Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 4th ed. Elsevier Health or other good veterinary medical dictionary.
• Veterinary Support Personnel Network. (2012). VSPN Notebook(R), version 4.0 is online at VSPN for free. Purchase the print version 4.0.
• McCurnin, D. M. & Bassert, J. M. (2010). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 7th ed. Elsevier Health.
• Bassert, J. M. & Thomas, J. (2014). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 8th ed. Elsevier Health.
• Colville, T. P. (2010). Review Questions & Answers for Veterinary Technicians, 4th ed. Elsevier Health.
• Tighe, M. M. & Brown, M. (2008). Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians, 3rd ed. Elsevier Health.
• Other texts that might be of interest for further resources will be listed in the course area library as well as the list found at AAVSB: VTNE References

About the Instructors:
Please click on the instructor names above to view their bio pages.

Course Outline:
The course library will have a Building Blocks section available throughout the entire course with background materials for participants to refresh areas such as Terminology, Office Practices, Client Relations, Ethics, Animal Welfare, Law, Occupational Hazards, and Anatomy/Physiology. These topics may be referred to frequently throughout the course throughout all the domain areas. Materials will be presented in the form of handouts, study guides, charts/tables, interactive games, images, and more. It is recommended participants utilize these areas as adjunctive areas of study.

Week 1 (Real Time Session January 19): Laboratory Procedures (Domain 40)
Lecturer: Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
Content: The materials and Real Time 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 January 26): Animal Care and Nursing & Zoonoses (Domain 50)
Lecturers: Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT; Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT; & Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
Content: The materials and Real Time 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. Topics such as the physical, behavioral, nutritional, and environmental status of an animal will be addressed. The importance of recordkeeping and documentation, physical examination, patient status, and treatment procedures will be incorporated.

Week 3 (Real Time Session February 2): Animal Care and Nursing & Zoonoses (continued) and Emergency Medicine/Critical Care (Domain 80)
Lecturers: Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT & Mary Mould, MEd, RVT
Content: Week 3 will continue the content from Week 2 and then incorporate emergency critical care situations and presentations into the nursing aspect as well as client education features by adding conditions such as shock, acute illness, acute trauma, and toxicity. 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 4 (Real Time Session February 9): Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Domain 10) & Pain Management and Analgesia (Domain 90)
Lecturers: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT & Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Content: 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. The importance of educating clients about protocols, administration, safety, and the side effects of medications will be covered. Interactives in the course library will help participants refresh and hone mathematical skills. Next, 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 5 (Real Time Session February 16): Anesthesia (Domain 70)
Lecturer: Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Content: 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 6 (Real Time Session February 23): Surgical Nursing (Domain 20)
Lecturers: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT & Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
Content: 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 7 (Real Time Session March 2): Diagnostic Imaging (Domain 60) & Dentistry (Domain 30)
Lecturer: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT
Content: We will cover diagnostic imaging including equipment maintenance, procedures for optimum results, and positioning. Techniques and protocols for the various types of imaging will be covered including radiography, endoscopy, ultrasonography, and, briefly, specialty imaging. 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 March 9): ): Large Animal Medicine and Nursing
Lecturer: Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT, BA
Content: Large Animal Medicine and Nursing will be covered as a focus incorporating all domains of the VTNE with emphasis on equine and food animals.

CE CREDITS: 12

Tuition: $210 ($105 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: http://www.vinfoundation.org. **NOTE: There is NO early bird discount date and enrollment WILL CLOSE at 5 pm ET on Friday, January 17, 2014 or earlier if the maximum number of registrants is reached.
* 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).

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

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 VSPN CE at VSPNCE@vspn.org. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

*Note: "This course is approved for 12 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 at 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 CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 972
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154

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