Veterinary Assistant, Certificate of Completion
- Academic Year: 2021-2022
- Division / Department: Health Professions / Veterinary Technology
- Degree Code: VET.ASSISTANT.CERT
The Veterinary Assistant program trains students to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in caring for animals in clinical settings, research areas and other veterinary-related fields. Duties of a veterinary assistant include caring for animals and assisting in examining them for signs of illness, disease or injury. Assistants may provide routine postoperative care, administer medication and prepare samples for laboratory examination under the supervision of veterinary or laboratory animal care technologists or technicians, veterinarians or scientists.
Students who complete the certificate program may apply those classes toward the associate degree program in veterinary technology if they want to continue their education. Students must meet all the application requirements for the two-year program.
Students must apply for the Veterinary Assistant program. See the Veterinary Technology website or contact the program director for more information.
Marketable Skills:
Upon completion of the Veterinary Assistant Program, students will be able to demonstrate entry-level proficiency in the following areas:
a. Office and Hospital Procedures
b. Pharmacology-medication administration and dispensing, handling and disposal of pharmaceuticals, prescription drug labeling
c. Anesthesia and surgical assisting-basic understanding of an anesthetic machine, principles of aseptic technique, patient preparation, basic surgical instrument identification, and preparation of items needed for surgery.
d. Radiology-patient positioning, safety and protective equipment used when taking radiographs
e. Parasitology, Clinical Pathology and Hematology-knowledge of supplies needed in the noted areas, proper handling of and preparing specimens for diagnostic assessment
f. Animal Husbandry, Handling, Behavior and Restraint
g. Kennel care-maintaining the patient care area, understanding the principles of disinfection/sanitation, feeding, walking and caring for the veterinary patient while boarding and/or hospitalized in the veterinary facility.
h. Professionalism and communication in the veterinary setting
i. The importance of a commitment to lifelong learning
Semester I
| VTHT 1301 Introduction to Veterinary Technology
Course Description× VTHT 1301 Introduction to Veterinary Technology Lab Fee: $75.00 Special Fee: $70.00 Survey of the profession of veterinary technology with emphasis on basic techniques, handling and care of domestic animals, and ethical and professional requirements. Admissions/Acceptance into Veterainary Tehcnology Associate Degree program, or, approval of Veterainary Technology Program Director for certificate students. Semester Hours: 3 (2 lec/4 lab) |
3 hours |
| VTHT 1105 Veterinary Medical Terminology
Course Description× VTHT 1105 Veterinary Medical Terminology Introduction to word parts, directional terminology, and analysis of common veterinary terms. Admissions/Acceptance into Veterinary Technology Associate Degree program, or, approval of Veterinary Technology Program Director for certificate students. Semester Hours: 1 (1 lec) |
1 hours |
| BIOL 1406 Biology for Science Majors I
Course Description× BIOL 1406 Biology for Science Majors I Lab Fee: $20.00 Fundamental principles of living organisms will be studied, including physical and chemical properties of life, organization, function, evolutionary adaptation, and classification. Concepts of cytology, reproduction, genetics, and scientific reasoning are included. NOTE: Must have passed the reading and writing portion of the TSI Assessment or have credit for INRW 0402. Semester Hours 4 (3 lec/3 lab) BIOL 1408 Biology for Non-Science Majors I Course Description× BIOL 1408 Biology for Non-Science Majors I Lab Fee: $15.00 Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction. Semester Hours 4 (3 lec/3 lab) |
4 hours |
| MATH 1314 College Algebra
Course Description× MATH 1314 College Algebra Lab Fee: $15.00 In-depth study and applications of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included. Graphing calculator required. Prerequisite: TSI math complete or MATH 0311. Semester Hours 3 (3 lec) Students who plan to pursue a Bachelor in Veterinary Technology Should take MATH 1314 - College Algebra. MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) Course Description× MATH 1332 Contemporary Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning) Lab Fee: $15.00 Intended for Non STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors. Topics include introductory treatments of sets and logic, financial mathematics, probability and statistics with appropriate applications. Number sense, proportional reasoning, estimation, technology, and communication should be embedded throughout the course. Additional topics may be covered. Graphing calculator required. Prerequisite: TSI math complete or MATH 0308 or consent of division chair. Semester Hours 3 (3 lec) |
3 hours |
| AGRI 1419 Introductory Animal Science
Course Description× AGRI 1419 Introductory Animal Science Lab Fee: $30.00 Scientific animal production and the importance of livestock and meat industries. Selection, reproduction, nutrition, management, and marketing of livestock. Semester Hours 4 (3 lec/3 lab) AGRI 1319 Introductory Animal Science Course Description× AGRI 1319 Introductory Animal Science Scientific animal production and the importance of livestock and meat industries. Selection, reproduction, nutrition, management, and marketing of livestock. Semester Hours 3 (3 lec) Course Description× AGRI 1119 Intro Animal Science Lab Lab Fee: $30.00 This laboratory-based course accompanies AGRI 1319 Introductory Animal Science (lecture). Laboratory activities will reinforce scientific animal production and the importance of livestock and meat industries. Selection, reproduction, nutrition, management, and marketing of livestock. Semester Hour 1 (3 lab) |
4 hours |
| 15 hours |
Semester II
| VTHT 1291 Special Topics in Veterinary Assisting
Course Description× VTHT 1291 Special Topics in Veterinary Assisting Lab Fee: $25.00 Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledges, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. Includes covering practical skills and knowledge needed by the veterinary assistant in the areas of laboratory, pharmacy, radiology, and surgical prep and assisting This course was designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency. Prerequisite: Successful completion of first semester VTHT courses with a grade of C or better. Semester Hours 2 (2 lec/1 lab) |
2 hours |
| VTHT 1217 Veterinary Office Management
Course Description× VTHT 1217 Veterinary Office Management Lab Fee: $20.00 Practical experience in management of the veterinary practice. Emphasis on client relations, recordkeeping, inventory, employment skills, and computer skills in the veterinary environment. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all previous semesters of VTHT courses with a grade of C or better, for Veterinary Technology Associate Degree students, or, approval of Veterinary Technology Program Director for certificate students. Semester Hours: 2 (2 lec) |
2 hours |
| VTHT 2325 Large Animal Assisting Techniques
Course Description× VTHT 2325 Large Animal Assisting Techniques Lab Fee: $40.00 Study of restraint, management, treatment, and medication techniques for farm animals. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all previous semesters of VTHT courses with a grade of C or better. Or, approval of Veterinary Technology Program Director for certificate students. Semester Hours 3 (2 lec/5 lab) |
3 hours |
| VTHT 2201 Canine and Feline Clinical Management
Course Description× VTHT 2201 Canine and Feline Clinical Management Lab Fee: $25.00 Survey of feeding, common management practices, and care of canines and felines in a clinical setting. Review of common diseases of canines and felines encountered in the practice of veterinary medicine. Prerequisite: Successful completion of first semester VTHT courses with a grade of C or better. Semester Hours 2 (2 lec/1 lab) |
2 hours |
| ENGL 1301 Composition I
Course Description× ENGL 1301 Composition I Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individually and collaboratively. Emphasis is on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus is on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communication, and critical analysis. Prerequisite: TSI complete in Writing or the equivalent. Semester Hours 3 (3 lec) |
3 hours |
| PSYC 2301 General Psychology
Course Description× PSYC 2301 General Psychology General Psychology is a survey of the major psychological topics, theories and approaches to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. NOTE: Must have passed the reading portion of the TSI Assessment or have credit for INRW 0402. Semester Hours 3 (3 lec) SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology Course Description× SOCI 1301 Introduction to Sociology The scientific study of human society, including ways in which groups, social institutions, and individuals affect each other. Causes of social stability and social change are explored through the application of various theoretical perspectives, key concepts, and related research methods of sociology. Analysis of social issues in their institutional context may include topics such as social stratification, gender, race/ethnicity, and deviance. Semester Hours 3 (3 lec) |
3 hours |
| 18 hours |
| Total hours: | 33 hours |