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Courses open for VSPNer registration

STAF116-0408 : Veterinary Assisting Module 3: Overview of Diagnostic Procedures

INSTRUCTOR:
Heather Howell, LVT, MBA

DATES:
April 1 - May 1, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Monday evenings April 7, 14, 21; 9:30pm-11:00pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Veterinary assistants are primary players in the set up, collection, and client interaction regarding many standard diagnostic procedures. Understanding the importance of accurate collection, set up, and maintenance of equipment is essential knowledge for assistants and technicians alike. In addition, interpreting prescriptions and filling them quickly and accurately enhances customer service and the flow of patient care.

Heather Howell, LVT, MBA has taught numerous classes online for VSPN and has developed this series of course to help you better communicate with your peers and co-workers in and outside the office. All members of the veterinary support staff may join the course and its discussions; however, this course has a basic content and is focused toward new veterinary assistants, animal caretakers and new hospital employees in companion animal practices.

Module 3 has three (3) ninety (90) minute online interactive real time sessions covering discussion of situations; homework reinforcing the handouts and real time sessions; interactive message boards to discuss the real time sessions and homework; and a final exam. The course offers interactive cases that each participant must complete as homework during the course. The goal of the interactive cases is to test the participant's knowledge of the material discussed in each session.

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

Goal of the course: To teach veterinary assistants, animal caretakers, and new employees necessary information so they may actively contribute to quality patient care. To impart knowledge and techniques veterinary assistants can utilize when assisting veterinarians and veterinary technicians. This course focuses primarily on companion animal practice.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts for this course.
The instructor recommends the following texts for this module:

COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1: Clinical pathology including laboratory diagnostics (blood work, urinalysis, and fecal examinations)
Content: This lecture will cover the basics of clinical pathology diagnostics available including blood work, urinalysis, and fecal examinations. Assisting the technician in collection of laboratory diagnostics, handling specimens, recording information will be covered. We will also go over how to relate basic information to the client regarding sample collection, length of time for testing, and purpose. (This week's lecture will NOT cover specific identification of organisms in depth.)

Week 2: Diagnostic Imaging (radiology, ultrasonography, endoscopy)
Content: This lecture will cover diagnostic imaging options available including radiology, ultrasonography, and endoscopy and how to relate basic information to the client regarding the procedure, length of time for testing, and purpose. We will also cover patient handling issues relating to these procedures.

Week 3: Basic concepts in prescription medication and pharmacology
Content: This lecture discusses the basics regarding types of medications (antibiotics, NSAIDS, steroids, antihistamines, etc.), their indications, side effects and contraindications, pharmacy nomenclature and drug routes. Discussion is focused on how to fill prescriptions, how to read treatment protocols in medical records and how to chart treatments. This session will also cover client communication regarding prescriptions.

LIBRARY MATERIALS: Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS: Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 4.5 CEUs per module

TUITION:
$88 ($79.00 early bird special if registered before March 18, 2008).
*Enroll in all four VA Modules before January 28, 2008 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course price. This discount is only available through this date.
* 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). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

** Minimal computer requirements for participating in VSPN and VPSNCE
** For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:
How to's of online CE
Policies & Procedures

TO REGISTER:

  1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
  2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
  3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.
NOTE: The Exceptional Client Service Skills for the Receptionist/Front Office Staff Member course is a precursor to The Challenges Facing the Receptionist/Front Office Staff Member course. It is highly recommended that this course be taken first.

Note: "This course has been submitted (but not yet approved) for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit 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 1-800-700-4636 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: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VSPN or VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).
** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Ginger Sanders (Ginger@vspn.org), ext 183
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org), ext 197 VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950

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