TECH120-0510: Practical Review for Veterinary Technicians: S2010 VTNE Preparation Class

INSTRUCTORS:
Nanette Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT; Darci Palmer, RVT, VTS (Anes); Barb Burri, MBA, CVT, LVT; Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT, BA; Mark Sharpless, RVT, CMAR, RLATG, CPIA; Mary Mould, RVT, AS

DATES:
May 3-July 21, 2010 (Note: Class message boards will remain open for interaction with the instructors through the VTNE testing window ending August 15, 2010).
Real Time Sessions: Sunday evenings, May 9, 16 23, June 6, 13, 20, 27, and July 11, 2010 (No class May 30 and July 4); 8:00pm-9:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This 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. It is also a broad overview for veterinary technicians who wish to revisit the basics.

• Real-time interactive sessions will include discussion of systems to aid the thinking process, use of methods to study and remember data, and exposure to interactive poll questions in a multiple choice format.
• Library materials may also include handouts, study lists; flashcards; and/or other materials to help direct the student better identify what aspects of veterinary technology he/she needs to concentrate on for each topic.
• Message boards will be used to stimulate questions and guidance between all students and instructors. They should be used often to discuss homework, questions, and ideas for studying/remembering issues.
• Weekly homework quizzes will be available online to enhance the student's study of course topics providing additional exposure to the various styles of questions seen on the VTNE or state board exam.
• Due to the large amount of topics covered in this course, weekly study guides will not always cover what will be covered in the real time session or vice versa. Edited real time session logs available in the course area library should be treated as additional handouts, augmenting the library handouts, quizzes, and message boards discussions.
• Engagement in the full run of the course should help students organize their studies and allow for better competency and test taking skills in an organized fashion.

Upon completion of this class, 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.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts 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. A more complete list is available to participants once the course opens.
The VIN Store requires your VIN/VSPN secure information to purchase any of the recommended texts:

HIGHLY Recommended: Remember to LOGIN to the VIN Store if you want to purchase

• Blood, D. C., Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (Ed.) (2007). Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, 3rd ed. Elsevier Health. VIN Store at: https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82402 or other good veterinary medical dictionary.
• Veterinary Support Personnel Network. (2008). VSPN Notebook�, version 3.0 is online at VSPN for free. The printed version 3.0 is available through the VIN Store at https://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=99853.
• Colville, T. P. (2010). Review Questions & Answers for Veterinary Technicians 4th ed. Elsevier Health. VIN Store at: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=91423
• Tighe, M. M. & Brown, M. (2008). Mosby's Comprehensive Review for Veterinary Technicians, 3rd ed. Elsevier Health. VIN Store at: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82333
• McCurnin, D. M. & Bassert, J. M. (2010). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 7th ed. Elsevier Health. VIN Store at: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82142.
• Other texts that might be of interest for further resources will be listed in the course area library.

Course Outline:

Week 1: Anatomy, physiology, pathology, zoonoses, and disease prevention
Lecturer: Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
Real time session: Review of anatomy, physiology, pathology, zoonoses, and disease prevention

Week 2: Clinical Pathology
Lecturer: Mary Mould, RVT
Real time session: Laboratory procedures including sampling, parasitology, hematology, and microbiology

Week 3: Mathematical calculations and pharmacology
Lecturer: Barb Burri, MBA, CVT, LVT
Real time session: Review of mathematical calculations and pharmacology

Week 4: Nursing of all common species (physical exam, handling, restraint, and basic nursing), nutrition, reproduction and genetics. This will include a brief overview of other species including ratites, caged birds, poultry, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and wild animals.
Lecturer: Mary Mould, RVT
Real time session: Review of physical exam, handling, restraint, and basic nursing of all common and some less common species.

Week 5: Fluid therapy, anesthesia
Lecturer: Darci Palmer, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Real Time Session: Anesthesia

Week 6: Emergency/critical care, surgery (assisting and instrumentation), radiology, diagnostic imaging, injuries/wound care, bandaging, dentistry
Lecturer: Barb Burri, MBA, CVT, LVT
Real Time Session: Emergency/critical care, surgery (assisting and instrumentation), radiology, diagnostic imaging.

Week 7: Large animal medicine and nursing with emphasis on equine and food animals
Lecturer: Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT
Real time session: Review of all large and food animal topics

Week 8: Medical terminology, office practices, client relations, ethics, animal welfare, law, and occupational hazards
Lecturer: Mary Mould, RVT
Real time session: In this last week we will focus on a final review of medical terms, office and safety regulations and any last questions before the VTNE.

Note: This class does not guarantee passage of the exam, but is designed to aid in studying for the exam by reviewing information that a VT student should know upon graduation from an AVMA/Canadian accredited veterinary technology program. We will approach as many topics as possible in an effort to help the student identify levels of competency and to know better where to focus study efforts. In depth and advanced topics will NOT be covered.

Note: The course end evaluation will remain available until after the VTNE Testing Window closes for this testing period. Participants are encouraged to complete course requirements by the course closed date and to submit the course evaluation after having taken the VTNE (if applicable).

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. Due to the amount of material to be covered, it is highly recommended the student comes to class having reviewed the handouts for that week, reviewed the previous week's homework and study guide, utilized the message boards for the course, and is prepared to interact during the real time session.

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: 12 CEUs

TUITION:
$210 ($105 for enrolled VT program students or those who have graduated within 6 months of the course start date, see below).
*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:

• Enrollment for this course CLOSES on May 7, 2010 at 5pm ET; no late enrollments will be allowed.
• Tuition fees are deeply discounted thanks to a generous grant from the VIN Foundation.
• VT students must include the following information in the 'comments' section of the course enrollment form for verification of your VT program student status in order to receive the reduced student rate. If this information is missing, the discount will NOT be applied: Program director's name & email address; School name & graduation date; Program phone number; Student's complete HOME or MAILING address.

For more on how online CE works see the VSPN Participant's Resource Center: https://www.vin.com/CE/Public/VSPN/ParticipantVspn.htm

TO ENROLL:

1. Each enrollee must individually be a registered member of VSPN or VIN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free; VIN membership includes VSPN membership.
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/school 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: "This course has been approved for 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 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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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 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 withdrawal retroactively. Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO.

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Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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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.