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Tuition: $240 ($120 for enrolled AVMA/Canadian accredited VT program students or those who have graduated within 6 months of the course start date, see below). Tuition fees are deeply discounted thanks to a generous grant from the VIN Foundation. All prices are listed in US dollars. **NOTE: There is NO early bird discount date, and enrollment WILL CLOSE on Friday, September 13th at 5pm ET (USA) or earlier if the maximum number of registrants is reached.) * Veterinary technician 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).

Course Information:
This course is designed to provide a review of the veterinary technician’s essential skills, tasks, and knowledge base as provided by the guidelines set forth by the AVMA CVTEA for approved veterinary technology programs. Active engagement in the entire course should help organize study time and allow for better competency and test-taking skills. The course library will contain a variety of handouts, study guides, charts, interactives, slide shows, and flashcards. Note: This class does not guarantee passage of the exam; we will approach as many topics as possible to help the student identify levels of competency as an aid to focus study efforts. In-depth and advanced topics will NOT be covered.

• Describe sample clinical pathology collection, preparation, and handling techniques
• Recall procedures in cytology, microbiology, parasitology, serology, and urinalysis
• Perform microscopic evaluations for blood smears, fecal tests, and urine sedimentation
• Discuss preparation, administration, and dispensation features of pharmacological and biological agents
• Educate clients about drug protocols, administration, safety, and side effects of medications
• Perform basic medical math calculations
• Define terminology and physiology of types of pain
• Discuss analgesic techniques in veterinary medicine
• Evaluate pain in animals
• Discuss and identify common drugs used for premedication, induction, and maintenance of anesthesia
• Explain pre-operative considerations, including patient assessment, IV catheterization, fluid therapy, and airway management
• Explain the parts and functions of anesthesia machines
• Discuss monitoring parameters and the importance of anesthesia monitoring
• Discuss and demonstrate knowledge of preparation and maintenance of the surgical environment
• Discuss surgical equipment and supplies
• Identify basic surgical instruments
• Demonstrate preparation of the surgical site, positioning, and sterile techniques
• Discuss and demonstrate small animal nursing procedures of all common species
• Discuss nutrition for small animal species
• Demonstrate knowledge of reproduction and genetics of small animal species
• Provide client communication for nursing procedures of small animal species
• Discuss and show proficient knowledge in emergency nursing procedures
• Demonstrate knowledge in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, acute blood loss, fracture stabilization, blood transfusion, fluid therapy, and oxygen therapy
• Show knowledge of emergency protocols, planning, and procedures
• Demonstrate knowledge of diagnostic imaging equipment, procedures, and positioning
• Discuss various types of imaging, including endoscopy, ultrasonography, and specialty imaging
• Demonstrate knowledge of dental procedures and treatment
• Identify charting techniques as it relates to small animal dentistry
• Demonstrate knowledge of farm animal nursing techniques
• Demonstrate knowledge of farm animal behavior
• Discuss common farm animal diseases
• Identify images of farm animals’ internal and external parasites
• Demonstrate effective client and support staff communication

RACE Accreditation: This program has been approved for 12 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. This program is approved for veterinary technicians/technologists. (20-1088672)

Week 2 (Real Time Session September 22): Pharmacy and Pharmacology (Domain 1) & Pain Management and Analgesia (Domain 9)
Instructor: Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
This week will begin with a review of the preparation, administration, and dispensation features of pharmacological and biological agents as they relate to veterinary orders. We will define the terminology and discuss the types of pain and physiology leading to the classification of drugs commonly used to provide analgesia. Analgesic techniques such as local and regional blocks and constant rate infusions will also be discussed. Last, the importance of evaluating and recognizing pain in animals will be reviewed as essential veterinary technician nursing skills.

Week 3 (Real Time Session September 29): Anesthesia (Domain 7)
Instructor: Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
This week will build on pharmacology by discussing the drugs used for premedication, induction, and maintenance of anesthesia. Pre-operative considerations will be addressed, including patient assessment, fasting, IV catheterizations, fluid therapy, and airway management. The importance of anesthesia monitoring and how to interpret the monitored parameters will be covered, including a discussion on the anesthesia machine, its parts, and functions. Brief coverage of client education regarding anesthetic procedures and postoperative care will be included.

Week 4 (Real Time Session October 6): Surgical Nursing (Domain 2)
Instructor: Katy Waddell, LVT, VTS (ECC)-R, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
Surgical nursing will cover the preparation and maintenance of the surgical environment, equipment, instruments, and supplies to meet the surgical team’s and patient’s needs. We will cover patient preparation, including the surgical site, positioning, and sterile techniques for both the patient and the surgical environment.

Week 5 (Real Time Session October 13): Animal Care and Nursing and Zoonoses (Domain 5)
Instructor: Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, Nutrition)
This session will cover animal nursing procedures including, but not limited to, restraint, catheterization, wound management, bandaging, and rehabilitation therapy, client education, preventative medicine, and the patient's health, safety, sanitary, and comfort.

Week 6 (Real Time Session October 20): Animal Care and Nursing and Zoonoses (Domain 5 continued) & Emergency Medicine/Critical Care (Domain 8)
Instructor: Katy Waddell, LVT, VTS (ECC)-R, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia)
This week will cover emergency critical care situations and presentations on the nursing aspect. Emergency nursing procedures, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), acute blood loss, fracture stabilization, blood transfusion, fluid resuscitation, and oxygen therapy, will be discussed with reference to emergency planning, treatment protocols, and procedures.

Week 7 (Real Time Session October 27): Diagnostic Imaging (Domain 6) & Dentistry (Domain 3) & Communication and Veterinary Professional Support Services (Domain 10)
Instructor: Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, Nutrition)
We will cover diagnostic imaging, including equipment maintenance, procedures for optimum results, and positioning. Dental procedures and treatment review will include prophylaxis, radiography, therapy, and charting related to dental health and the treatment of dental disease, and subsequent client education. Communication styles and effective communication skills between veterinary personnel and clients and within the team.

Week 8 (Real Time Session November 3): Review of Farm Animal Medicine and Nursing (Equine, Bovine, Swine, Caprine, and Ovine species)
Instructor: Tara Woyton, Ed. S, MS, LVT, CVT
Large animal medicine and nursing will be covered as a focus incorporating all domains of the VTNE with an emphasis on equine and food animals.

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.

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. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext.792 or email VSPNCE. Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.