Off-Campus Clinical Instruction

One of the hallmarks of the DEVAP is your ability to complete your clinical assignments at the hospital where you work.  To be eligible to convert the courses in DEVAP toward credit, you must complete them at an approved Off-Campus Clinical Instruction (OCCI) site.  Your hospital can be approved as an OCCI site if it meets a specific set of standards.  If you plan to enroll in DEVAP courses, you should complete OCCI documentation prior to enrolling if possible. Click here to download OCCI documentation. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader - click here to download Acrobat)

The following is a summary of the OCCI requirements:

1.   Each clinic, hospital, or location designated as an approved off-campus clinical instruction site must have a current Preceptor Agreement, Facility Agreement, and Hospital Standards Agreement on file in the DEVAP office.  Students enrolled in courses who perform their clinical activities at unapproved sites will not be eligible to convert non-credit coursework to semester credit hours toward the Veterinary Assisting Certificate.

3.   Students must have a completed Health Risk Acknowledgement and Agreement and Release of Liability on file in the DEVAP office.

Preceptor Agreement

A Preceptor Agreement must be established between the DEVAP and the preceptor(s) that students intend to utilize during the course(s) in which they are enrolled.  Preceptor agreements are valid for up to one year and must be renewed annually.  Previously approved preceptors will have renewal notices mailed to their clinical site prior to the renewal date.  If you are unsure of the status of your preceptor, contact the DEVAP staff to verify the preceptor’s status.  Regardless of whether taking coursework for academic credit or continuing education, a preceptor must be designated by the student.

Facility Agreement

To be approved as acceptable OCCI sites, veterinary care facilities must meet certain minimum standards regarding hospital staff, equipment, and practice quality.  These minimum standards must be met in order to assure that students receive adequate exposure to quality veterinary medical practices and equipment. Veterinary care facilities may be approved as acceptable for courses relating to companion animals, food and farm animals, or both.  Facility agreements are valid for up to one year and must be renewed annually.  Renewal notices will be mailed to approved facilities prior to the renewal date.

Hospital Standards Agreement

To be approved as acceptable OCCI site, veterinary care facilities must meet certain minimum criteria regarding hospital standards.  These standards must be maintained to ensure that students in the DEVTP receive a quality education that stresses acceptable medical standards. Each Clinical Instruction Site must agree to follow these standards in order to be approved.  A videotape of the site and/or still photographs of relevant work areas must also be submitted.  Note: If a hospital or clinic is AAHA accredited, the site meets the hospital standards and need only send verification of accreditation status with the agreement. Hospital Standards agreements are valid for up to one year and must be renewed annually.  Renewal notices will be mailed prior to the renewal date.