Description:
Participants will learn about the care of animals as well as how to recognize signs of illness and disease in a variety of animals from common pets to exotic species. This program also covers interpersonal communication, interaction with clients and their animals, as well as how to assist the veterinarian during examinations. Administrative duties, such as fee collection, banking, and accounts payable are also emphasized to provide learners with the skills necessary to maintain an efficient front office. This veterinary assisting course is a vital asset to learners who wish to work in this exciting and rewarding field.
Employment of veterinary assistants and caretakers of laboratory animals is expected to grow 9% from 2014 to 2024, faster than average for this occupation. As more and more Americans are adopting pets, the pet population continues to increase at a steady pace. Additionally, technological and medical advancements veterinary medicine are helping to boost the our level of care for pets at a cost that used to be out of reach, further contributing to the rising demand for veterinary medicine generally, and veterinary assistants in particular. The veterinary assistant can expect to obtain a position mainly in clinics, animal hospitals and research laboratories but grooming facilities, pet day cares and boarding facilities would be in need of individuals with these skills as well.
Details:
What You Will You Learn:
• Explain how to dissect a medical term in terms of prefix, word root, combining forms, and suffixes
• Define general medical terms and abbreviations used veterinary medicine
• Define veterinary medical terms and abbreviations that apply to each body system including those for anatomy, physiology, diagnostic procedures, and pathological conditions
• Define terms that describe body parts and anatomy specific to various species of animals
• Define common terms that denote sex, age, birthing, grouping, and general descriptions of animals
• Define veterinary medical terms and abbreviations associated with examination, pharmacology, pathology, surgery, dissection, and laboratory procedures
• Define specific veterinary terms and abbreviations used to describe canines, felines, equine, ruminants, swine, birds, and other species
• Explain the foundations of veterinary practice in terms of ethical, legal, safety, practice management, and professional communication
• Explain the concepts associated with veterinary diagnostics
• Explain the concepts associated with veterinary therapeutics
• Explain the concepts associated with animal nursing care and husbandry for different animal species
In addition to entry-level administrative positions, this course is ideal for students interested in the veterinary assisting field and looking to pursue a formal Veterinary Assistant Program.
Students must have or plan to receive a high school diploma or GED. Participants must also possess a minimum of 10th-grade math and reading skills.
Note: Participants must be at least 18 years old to sit for the national certification exam after completing this course.
The potential certification listed below is for reference purposes only and is not included in the course fee.
National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Veterinary Assistant (VET)
www.nwca.edu2.com
Veterinary Assistant Certification
Exam Cost: $99.00
Exam Length: 400 questions, 2 hours and 40 min to complete
TBD (Edinburg)
TBD (Brownsville)
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. The minimum for the loans must be $500.00. Some service charges may apply.
Please email continuinged@utrgv.edu once you have been approved by your loan provider so we may certify your loan.
Edinburg Course Information
Days:**
TBA
Dates:
TBA
Times:
Lecture: 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Labs: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom*
Labs: Edinburg CESS Building
Instructor:
TBD
Cost:
$ 1,899
Notes:
* Lecture components of this class will occur online via Zoom on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
** Labs will be scheduled in person on selected Saturdays.
Brownsville Course Information
Days:**
TBA
Dates:
TBA
Times:
Lecture: 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Labs: 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:
Lecture: Online via Zoom*
Labs: Brownsville St. Joseph Academy
Instructor:
TBD
Cost:
$ 1,899
Notes:
* Lecture components of this class will occur online via Zoom on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
** Labs will be scheduled in person on selected Saturdays.
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