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Courses open for VSPNer registration

TECH124-0605: Basic Hematology: The Complete Blood Count

INSTRUCTOR:
Jennifer Sizemore AS, CVT

DATES:
June 20 - July 24, 2005
Real Time Sessions: Thursday evenings, June 23, 30 and July 7 and 14; 9:00-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Participants will learn basic hematology with respect to the practical application of hematology procedures. The course will include an overview starting with collection of a blood sample and ending with the knowledge of how to perform a complete blood count including red and white blood cell indices. The course will have message boards to further discuss the course materials, weekly homework/quiz assignments, reading materials/handouts for reference to correspond with information during the real time sessions and/or in the library materials. This course will not cover blood parasites or abnormal blood cells (other than reticulocytes).

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

  1. Understand hematology terminology.
  2. Understand blood collection methods.
  3. Understand how to perform a complete blood count.
  4. Preparation of a blood smear.
  5. Understand normal red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) morphology.
  6. Understand platelet and reticulocyte counts.
  7. Understand blood math formulas.
COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1
Content: This week we will discuss terminology used in basic hematology. Venipuncture will also be discussed to provide an understanding of preparation and technique. We will discuss the definition of a complete blood count and begin our discussion on manual laboratory procedures included in a complete blood count. Blood math formulas will be included. This will help apply a baseline for understanding the basics of hematology.

Week 2
Content: During this session we will continue to cover manual laboratory procedures. We will discuss preparation of blood smears. This will lead our discussion into RBC & WBC morphology to aid in evaluating slides for a complete blood count.

Week 3
Content: During this session, we will continue red blood cell morphology; our discussion will also pertain to platelets and reticulocytes to aid in understanding the basis of a complete blood count.

Week 4
Content: During this last session, we will continue white blood cell morphology and indentification of leukocytes on a blood smear.

Textbook:
There is no required text for this course.
Recommended text: Laboratory Procedures For Veterinary Technicians (4th edition). Charles Hendrix, DVM, PhD. This text can be purchased from the VIN bookstore: http://store.vin.com/custom/edit.asp?p=82284

Other course materials will be in the form of handouts and slideshows/web tours. There will also be a list of sources where the materials were retrieved to help create this course.

CE HOURS: 6 (RACE applied for)

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.

TUITION:
$102 ($92 early bird special if registered before June 6, 2005)
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) *VT students: 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 directors name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.
*VT students, please include your program directors name, school, and school phone number) in the comments section of the CE registration form. Your registration will be delayed if this information is not included.

** 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.

TO REGISTER:

  1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
  2. Each person 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.
  3. 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.
*** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out www.vspn.org/CE

Note: "This course has been submitted for approval for 9 hours of continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's 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 VIN/VSPN 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 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.
Nanette R. Walker Smith, RVT, CVT
VSPN Content Director
Nanette@vspn.org or VSPNCE@vspn.org

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