Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting

The Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting is based on the essential knowledge and skills developed by the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators(AVTE), and approved by the North American Veterinary Technician Association(NAVTA). The content of the program spans the essential knowledge and skills In yearfrom the “front” of the veterinary clinic to all areas “in the back.” There are no prerequisites for this program. However, the student must have a high school diploma or a valid GED certificate and be able to read and write proficiently in English as well as perform mathematical computations at the high school graduate level. A wide range of basic clinical knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors are covered in a systematic and thoroughway. The student will prepare for an exciting new career as a veterinary assistant. The knowledge and skills gained in the program are a solidfoundation for continuing education to become a Registered VeterinaryTechnician or a laboratory animal technician, or to follow another animal-related career path.

Years 1-3: we anticipate between 20-30 students completing

Years 4-5: we anticipate scaling up to 40-50 students completing the program

The goal of the Certificate of Achievement in VeterinaryAssisting is to train an entry-level employee for success in a small animal veterinary clinic or hospital. Academically, students learn veterinary medical terminology as well as principles of animal behavior and veterinary medical nursing skills. The vocational goal is to prepare students for work as veterinary assistants, a field that is expected to grow rapidly. Legally, there is no formal training required to become a veterinary assistant, however, the  field has a large and growing demand for workers and those who are trained command better starting pay and experience improved job satisfaction with more rapid promotions.

This comprehensive online program teaches students the knowledge necessary to be an effective participant in a small animal veterinary hospital or clinic. In this “front to back” approach, the veterinary assistant student learns professionalism in the veterinary medical setting, which can be applied to any medical or professional workplace. The program follows the flow of a patient and client through a small animal clinical setting. Veterinary assisting emphasizes professionalism in a medical setting and development of soft skills (codes of conduct, appreciation of the human animal bond, interpersonal communication). Students are trained to interact with clients on the phone and in the hospital. Students learn to provide safe and skilled assistance to licensed veterinary technicians (RVTs) and veterinarians intreating patients. Additional significant topics include nutrition, behavior, restraint, entry level nursing skills, safety, and hygiene and infection control. In the on the job training part of the certificate, students apply what they are learning to their workplaces as preceptors. These students are still supported by faculty, as there is an online component to the class in which skills are evaluated by their supervisor on the job, and students learn techniques for self-assessment.

 

Program Learning Outcomes:

·     Demonstrate professionalism in the veterinary workplace by proper use of medical terminology, and implement this professionalism by scheduling appointments and “rooming” clients and patients.

·     Apply behavioral assessments to safely restrain dogs and cats for veterinary nurses and veterinarians.

·     Demonstrate entry level nursing skills.

The students will complete 3 courses total.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
VT52A	Veterinary Assisting I	5	Year 1, Fall
VT52B	Veterinary Assisting II	5	Year 2, Winter
VT 88A	Clinical Preceptorship I	2.5	Year I Winter or Spring

The Veterinary Assisting courses have been in place for over six years with good feedback. The Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting is an excellent entry-level program that offers first generation college students, underrepresented students, and other students an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge to help them excel in this career. The veterinary community also supports this effort, as there is a large demand for veterinary assistants in our local animal hospitals. We also offer a fully accredited Veterinary Technology program in which students earn an AS degree. The Veterinary Assisting courses are not part of the Veterinary Technology curriculum. However, students who come to the Veterinary Technology program after having competed the Veterinary Assisting sequence have a better understanding of the career and have learned valuable study skills and terminology.

Per COE report, Santa Rosa is the only other program in the Bay Region that has a Vet Tech program. They do not have a Vet Assisting certificate that we know of at this time. The following colleges and websites offer online training in veterinary assisting: CSU East Bay: https://www.ce.csueastbay.edu/ce/programs/veterinary-assistant/# CVMA: https://cvma.net/careers/cvma-certified-veterinary-assistant-program-2/cvma-certified-veterinary-assistant-program/ Penn Foster College: https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs-and-degrees/veterinary-studies/veterinary-assistant-career-diploma Because of Foothill College’s reputation and our Veterinary Technology Program, we are in an excellent position to attract students to earn this certificate.