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Prospective Students |
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Off-Campus Clinical Instruction
One of the hallmarks of the DEVTP is your ability to complete your clinical assignments at the hospital or clinic where you work. To be eligible to convert non-credit courses in DEVTP toward credit, you must complete the courses 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.
The following is a summary of the OCCI information:
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 DEVTP office.
Students must have a completed Health Risk Acknowledgement and Agreement and Release of Liability on file in the DEVTP office.
All OCCI documentation MUST be completed and the practice approved during the students first term in the program. If the practice site is not approved the first term, students will not receive credit for any program work the second term until the documentation is submitted and the practice is approved. If the required documentation is not received and the practice is not approved by the end of the second term in the program, the student will receive an “F” in their course(s). Any partial OCCI documentation that is received will not be held as pending, and subsequent submissions the next term must be resubmitted in full. If there is ever any doubt about the OCCI status of a practice the student should immediately contact the program at 1-877-353-3482 (toll free).
Preceptor Agreement
A Preceptor Agreement must be established between the DEVTP 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 DEVTP staff to verify the preceptor’s status. Regardless of whether taking coursework for academic credit or continuing education, the student must designate a preceptor.
Facility Agreement
To be approved as acceptable OCCI sites, veterinary care facilities should meet certain minimum standards regarding hospital staff, equipment, and practice quality. These minimum standards should be met in order to assure that students receive adequate exposure to quality veterinary medical practices and equipment. Students in practices that do not meet the OCCI standards for equipment or facilities will be required to complete a remediation plan before the site is approved. 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. Still photographs of relevant work areas must also be submitted for verification of equipment and facilities. 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.