TECH150-0814: Professional Development for the Veterinary Technician
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.

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Instructor(s): Charlotte Waack, AA, AAS, BS, CVT, RVT and Brenda Feller, CVT, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Course Open: August 21-October 5, 2014
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, August 28, September 4, 18 and 25, 2014 (no class on September 11); 8:30-10pm 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 instructors 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 course is directed toward credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinary technician students and veterinary assistants who wish to pursue a career in veterinary technology.
VSPN CE Course: This course has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians only. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is RACE Provider #22.

Course Description:
Are you a professional? The way you look, speak, act, and interact with others at work influences how you are perceived as a representative of one of the fastest growing professions. This course will provide information and interactive discussion to help further your career and tools to accomplish your professional goals. After defining and exploring the concept of professionalism, we will discuss the specific aspects of ethics, resumes, cover letters, interviews, credentialing, communication, utilization and career development.

This course consists of four (4) ninety (90) minute Real Time Sessions, 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.

To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

*The lecture portion of this course will be an audio presentation, please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

• understand and define professionalism and describe what makes a professional.
• discuss and understand the Technician Code of Ethics and how it applies to our profession.
• explain the process of becoming a credentialed technician.
• determine and define the level of practice and roles of veterinary health care team members.
• develop a professional resume and cover letter.
• understand the importance of presenting yourself professionally in a job interview.
• develop professional written and oral communication skills.
• understand the directions your career as a veterinary technician can take you.
• extrapolate the importance of memberships to professional organizations

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.

About the Instructors:
Charlotte Waack has over 20 years' experience in the field of veterinary medicine and is currently the VSPN Director and VSPN CE Interim Director. She also is an adjunct faculty member at John Wood Community College and San Juan Community College. Brenda Feller developed an interest in anesthesia as a student at Michigan State University.After graduation she worked in a general practice for a few years before moving on to the Anesthesia Department at the University of Illinois Veterinary College. At U of I she honed her skills and anesthesia became a passion. In addition to her VSPN duties she is also a featured speaker on the topic of anesthesia at a variety of veterinary conferences in the US and Canada.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session August 28): Professionalism
Content: Professionalism starts with you; where you choose to obtain your education, where you choose to work, how you choose to present yourself to the public, how you keep current with new trends in veterinary medicine. In this session, we will discuss all of the above and give examples of key points of professionalism. You will also learn how continuing education can affect your professional career.

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 4): Credentialing and Getting the Job
Content: Even though each state has its own process, we will discuss the overall process of obtaining or transferring your credentials (registration, certification, and licensure, qualification, examination, application and renewal). Your resume and cover letter are important in obtaining a job and we will discuss both of these along with the interview process and how to put forth the best YOU.

Week 3 (Real Time Session September 18): Communication and Ethics
Content: Communication in the workplace is a very important aspect of professionalism. Written communication is as important as oral communication in all aspects of your career. We will discuss communication styles, handling conflict and touch on personalities. We will also discuss the NAVTA Veterinary Technician Code of Ethics in this session.

Week 4 (Real Time Session September 25): Where Can Your Career Take You?
Content: There are many opportunities for veterinary technicians within and outside clinical practice. We will discuss veterinary technician specialties and achieving specialty certification opportunities for further continuing education in the field, careers in education, industry, moving into management, and certification in practice management. We will also discuss the importance of becoming involved in professional organizations and how that aspect can help further your career.

CE Credits: 6

Tuition: FREE for VSPN Members
** NOTE: Free courses fill up fast and enrollment will close when the maximum number of participants is reached. This course will be limited to 350 participants. Enroll early to ensure your place in the course.

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

TO ENROLL:
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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 6 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 VIN/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.

The CE team:

Charlotte Waack, RVT, CVT
VSPN CE 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: 01452226154

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800.700.4636  |  CEonVIN@vin.com  |  530.756.4881  |  Fax: 530.756.6035 777 West Covell Blvd, Davis, CA 95616 Copyright 2000, Veterinary Information Network, Inc.