TECH120-0911: Practical Review for Veterinary Technicians: F2011 VTNE Preparation Class

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

COURSE OPEN: September 16-December 15, 2011 (Note: For a certificate of completion, participation statistics will be pulled and calculated on November 23; however, class message boards will remain open for interaction with the instructors through the VTNE testing window ending December 15, 2011).

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Sundays, September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, and November 6 and 13, 2011; 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 RTS. Times and dates will be listed in your course confirmation email. Expect to spend up to 1 hour at one of the 2-4 practice sessions held prior to the first RTS.

Level and Prerequisites: This course is designed to help veterinary technician students review the basics of veterinary technology in an overview format and topics students should know upon graduation from an AVMA/Canadian accredited veterinary technology program. 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 has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians.
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:
Designed to provide an overview and review of what veterinary technology students are required to know as essential skills, tasks, and knowledge base upon graduation from an AVMA or CVMA approved veterinary technology program, this course will endeavor to review as much as possible in the two months preceding the VTNE testing window.

• This course will consist of eight (8) 90 minute Real Time Sessions
• Real Time 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 s/he 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 and retention of veterinary topics.
• 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 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 library handouts, quizzes, and message boards discussions.
• The course will include multiple choice online quizzes as well as a mandatory end-of-course test. Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for the certificate of completion.
• Active 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.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

• 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.
• 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.

Required Textbooks(s): There is no required textbook for this course.
Recommended Textbook(s):

• 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. (2011). 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=100007. NOTE: the supplement to version 3.0 (updates and corrections for the printed version) are in progress for printing now. Please ask before purchasing for the timeline for this printing. The online version is complete and updated anytime corrections or additions are done.
• 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.

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

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session September 25): Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Zoonoses, and Disease Prevention
Instructor: Nanette Walker Smith, MEd, RVT, CVT, LVT
Real Time Session: Review of anatomy, physiology, pathology, zoonoses, and disease prevention

Week 2 (Real Time Session October 2): Clinical Pathology
Instructor: Mary Mould, BS, RVT
Real Time Session: Laboratory procedures including sampling, parasitology, hematology, and microbiology

Week 3 (Real Time Session October 9): 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
Instructor: Mary Mould, BS, RVT
Real Time Session: Review of physical exam, handling, restraint, and basic nursing of all common and some less common species.

Week 4 (Real Time Session October 16): Fluid Therapy, Anesthesia, Pain Management
Instructor: Darci Palmer, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia)
Real Time Session: Anesthesia

Week 5 (Real Time Session October 23): Mathematical Calculations and Pharmacology
Instructor: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT
Real Time Session: Review of mathematical calculations and pharmacology

Week 6 (Real Time Session October 30): Large Animal Medicine and Nursing with emphasis on equine and food animals
Instructor: Shelley Shopsowitz, RVT, BA
Real Time Session: Review of all large and food animal topics

Week 7 (Real Time Session November 6): Emergency/Critical Care, Surgery (assisting and instrumentation), Radiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Injuries/Wound Care, Bandaging, and Dentistry with emphasis on equine and food animals
Instructor: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT
Real Time Session: Emergency/critical care, surgery (assisting and instrumentation), radiology, diagnostic imaging.

Week 8 (Real Time Session November 13): Medical Terminology, Office Practices, Client Relations, Ethics, Animal Welfare, Law, and Occupational Hazards
Instructor: Mary Mould, BS, 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.

CE HOURS: 12

Tuition: $210 ($105 for enrolled VT program students or those who have graduated within 6 months of the course start date, see below). NOTE: There is NO early bird discount date and Enrollment WILL CLOSE on September 16, 2011 at 5pm ET (USA) 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 on how online CE works see the VSPN Participant's 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 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org). Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Note: "This course has been 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 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: 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 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
* Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

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** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out https://www.vin.com/CE

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

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
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
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

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