Veterinary Assistant Program
Would you like to pursue a fulfilling career in the veterinary field? Veterinary Assistants are critical members of veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research laboratories. The employment field also extends to animal shelters, pet daycares, boarding, and grooming facilities.
The Veterinary Assistant Program is designed to prepare you for the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Veterinary Assistant (VET) certification.
Participants will learn about the essential competencies needed to assist veterinarians and veterinarian technicians in the care of animals during procedures related to examination, diagnostic imaging, treatment, husbandry, nursing, and emergency care.
The program also covers interpersonal communication and interaction with clients and their animals, in addition to administrative duties, such as fee collection, accounts payable, and maintaining supply inventories, all essential skills needed to maintain an efficient daily operation.
This non-academic program is comprised of 100 hours of classroom lecture and hands-on labs, and a clinical internship* opportunity of 40 hours at a local veterinary clinic or animal hospital.
*Internships provide valuable hands-on experience in the field, enabling you to master the content learned through practice, increase your professional network, and gain work experience to be competitive in the job market.
To be eligible for the clinical internship, participants must successfully complete the 100-hour program, submit to a thorough background check, drug screening, and meet additional requirements. Internship is unpaid.
Details:
- Terminology in anatomy, physiology, diagnostic procedures, and pathological conditions of various species of animals.
- Common terms that denote sex, age, birthing, grouping, and general descriptions of animals.
- Specific veterinary terms used to describe canines, felines, equine, ruminants, swine, birds, and other species.
- Veterinary medical terms and abbreviations used in examination, pharmacology, pathology, surgery, dissection, and laboratory procedures.
- Concepts associated with veterinary diagnostics, therapeutics, animal nursing care, and husbandry for different animal species.
- Foundations of veterinary practice in terms of ethical, legal, safety, practice management, and professional communication.
This course is ideal for participants interested in working in the veterinary assisting field.
Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.
Recommended level of education: High School diploma or GED/high school equivalency.
Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.
This program meets the necessary requirements for participants to take the following examination*.
Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Veterinary Assistant (VET) certification
https://nwca.edu2.com/product/3499/veterinary-assistant-certification
*Please review eligibility criteria in the respective website.
Exam information is for reference purposes only and is not included in the course fee.
Note: If you are applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan to cover the registration fee for a non-credit continuing education program, then please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599. The loan amount you note in the application cannot exceed the open enrollment fee noted on our website. Books will NOT be included in the loan amount. The minimum for the loans must be $500.00. Some service charges may apply.
*The only loan provider PEWD accepts is Sallie Mae*
Please email pewd@utrgv.edu once you have been approved so we may certify your loan.
Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.
Edinburg Course Information
Registration Deadline:
September 20, 2024
Dates:
September 24 - December 17, 2024
Days/Times:
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:00 p.m - 9:30 p.m
Saturday Labs: October 19, November 9 & 23, 2024
9:00 a.m – 4:30 p.m
Program Modality:
In-Person
Location:
Lecture and Labs: Edinburg CESS Building
Instructor:
Sara Rivera
Cost:
$ 2,299
Refund Deadline:
September 18, 2024
Notes:
Students requiring accommodation should contact our office pewd@utrgv.edu to learn about the process.
Brownsville Course Information
Days:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
Dates:
June 6 - August 24, 2022
No Class on July 4, 2022
Times:
Lecture (Mondays and Wednesdays):
6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Labs (Saturdays):
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom*
Labs: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy
Format:
In-Class
Instructor:
CCI
Cost:
$ 1,899 Notes:
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