Course Information

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Course Descriptions

• Level One
• Level Two
• Level Three
• Level Four
• Required General Education Courses
• General Education Elective Courses

Level One

VETT 1001 - General Hospital and Clinic Information 1 is an introductory level course designed to give each student the skills necessary to function as a receptionist in a veterinary hospital. The class focuses on telephone techniques, veterinary medical terminology, medical records, filling prescriptions, recognition of common breeds of dogs and cats, the admittance and discharge of patients, and the development of good interpersonal and communication skills. Practical assignments are directed towards the development of basic reception skills in a small animal practice.

VETT 1002 - Examination Procedures and Clinical Techniques 1 is an introductory level course directed toward developing knowledge of the basic clinical skills expected to be performed by a veterinary technician. Topics include basic restraint of traditional and exotic species, the physical exam of patients, routine and therapeutic bathing and grooming of animals, cage and kennel sanitation, basic veterinary medical treatment procedures, basics of tissue and wound healing, bandaging, basic nutrition, and proper medical record keeping. Course assignments are directed towards the development of basic veterinary technician skills.

VETT 1003 - Pharmacy and Pharmacology 1 is an introductory level course designed to give students basic background knowledge, understanding, and skills in veterinary pharmaceuticals. Course topics include filling prescriptions, the basics of veterinary pharmacology and physiology, handling, storing, and documenting controlled substances, vaccinology, routes and methods of drug administration including pertinent anatomy, classes of drugs, and basic characteristics of common veterinary pharmaceuticals. Later courses in this subject will build upon and expand the topics presented here and include reinforcement of physiologic principles covered in this course.

VETT 1004 - Surgical Prep and Assistance 1 is an introductory level course designed to introduced topics including aseptic surgical preparations, the understanding and utilization of sterile technique, an introduction to veterinary anesthetic equipment and pharmaceuticals, the basics of monitoring anesthetized patients, proper post-anesthetic recovery, and the cleaning and preparation of surgical supplies and facilities. Later courses in this topic will expand the scope of information and the technician’s responsibilities in these areas.

VETT 1005 - Animal Nursing 1 is an introductory level course designed towards developing basic skills in veterinary nursing. Topics include the care and observation of hospitalized patients; the administration of medications; care and sanitation of cages and kennels; the nursing care of newborns and orphans; the proper care of wounds, incisions, and abscesses; and proper veterinary medical record keeping. Subsequent courses in this subject will build and expand upon these subject areas.

VETT 1006 - Radiology and Ultrasound 1 is an introductory level course designed towards the development of basic skills in veterinary radiology for the veterinary technician. Topics include the understanding of radiology safety measures, using radiographic technique charts, the proper care and maintenance of radiographic equipment, the proper processing of radiographs, and other basic radiological techniques. Practical assignments are directed towards the development of basic radiographic skills in a small animal practice. Levels II and III introduce ultrasound techniques.

VETT 1007 - Laboratory Procedures 1  is an introductory level course  which introduces basic urinalysis, hematological evaluations, the identification of common blood, internal, and external parasites, basic serological testing, essentials of veterinary microbiology, and other related laboratory evaluations. Practical assignments are directed towards the development of basic laboratory skills in a small animal practice.

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Level Two

VETT 1008 - General Hospital and Clinic Information 2 is an intermediate level course that includes advanced client interaction and front office skills. Material from General Hospital I will be reviewed, particularly veterinary medical terminology. New topics will focus on the financial aspects of veterinary practice, basics of animal behavior, dealing with death and euthanasia, advanced phone techniques and reception skills, and utilization of computers in the practice. Veterinary practice management principles will be introduced in this course.  (Prerequisite:  VETT1001)

VETT 1009 - Examination Procedures and Clinical Techniques 2 is an intermediate level course that reviews the information and skills from the first course and introduces new topics including an increased role in physical examinations, auscultation, and applying emergency protocols. Other areas included in this course include basic laboratory procedures, intravenous procedures, and selected exotic animal procedures. Practical assignments are directed towards the development of intermediate clinical skills in a small animal practice. (Prerequisite:  VETT1002)

VETT 1010 - Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2 is an intermediate level course that reinforces and stresses the physiological basis of drug action based on a systems-oriented approach. The systems and the drugs that will be studied this course will include the integumentary, cardiovascular, and respiratory. Skills in pharmacological calculations will be developed and concepts in pharmacological calculations will be presented. (Prerequisite:  VETT1003 and college level mathematics [either MATH 1314-College Algebra or TECM 1303-Technical Mathematics])

VETT 1011 - Surgical Prep and Assistance 2 is an intermediate level course that is directed towards reinforcing the information from the first course and developing new and more advanced skills in the areas presented. Students will expand their understanding of preanesthetic evaluations, the induction of anesthesia, the monitoring of anesthetized patients, and the monitoring of post-anesthetic patients. Practical aspects of animal anatomy and physiology will be incorporated into course materials. Additional information on anesthetic pharmacology, drug dosages, and hemodynamic principles will be presented. (Prerequisite:  VETT1004)

VETT 1012 - Animal Nursing 2 is an intermediate level course that reviews the information and skills acquired in Animal Nursing I, and will include new topics in veterinary nursing, including applicable laboratory procedures, coagulation tests, bandages, casts, hemodynamic monitoring, and the care of critical and intensive care patients. (Prerequisite:  VETT1005)

VETT 1013 - Radiology and Ultrasound 2 is an intermediate level course that is designed to reinforce the information from Radiology I, and includes new topics in safety, developing of radiographs, use of contrast media in radiographic procedures, and an introduction to veterinary diagnostic ultrasound. Practical aspects of animal anatomy in relation to patient positioning are incorporated into course materials. Clinical assignments are directed towards the development of intermediate radiographic skills in a small animal practice. (Prerequisite:  VETT1006)

VETT 1014 - Laboratory Procedures 2 is an intermediate level course that increases the scope and depth of information presented in the Laboratory Procedures I course. New topics include cytological procedures, reproductive procedures and related procedures, life cycles of parasites, and more in-depth hematological procedures. Existing skills in the subjects presented in Laboratory Procedures I will be reinforced throughout the course. Practical assignments are directed towards the development of intermediate laboratory skills in a small animal practice. (Prerequisite:  VETT1007)

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Level Three

VETT 1015 - General Hospital and Clinic Information 3 is an advanced level course that reviews information presented in the previous courses, particularly in the areas of medical terminology, reception skills, animal behavior, and the financial aspects of veterinary practice. The course will cover many of the essential elements of practice management, including personnel, ordering and inventory, financial accountability, and other essential skills for a practice manager. Writing and special assignments and projects will be emphasized in the course. (Prerequisite:  VETT1008)

VETT 1016 - Exam Procedures and Clinical Techniques 3 is an advanced level course that reviews the information and skills from the first and second courses. New topics include advanced responsibility for physical examinations including auscultation, emergency techniques and skills, specified laboratory procedures, intravenous procedures and fluid administration, as well as special exotic animal procedures. Clinical assignments are directed toward the development of advanced skills utilized in a small animal practice.  (Prerequisite:  VETT1009)