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Online Veterinary Assistant Course Curriculum

The veterinary assistant course will teach you to perform tasks, such as maintaining and sterilizing surgical instruments and equipment, providing emergency first aid and medication to sick or injured animals and updating animal medical histories and records.

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Veterinary Assisting Orientation

Veterinary Assisting Orientation 

In this course, you’ll examine the goals and values of Ashworth College, time management, creating a realistic weekly and monthly study schedule, the nature and purpose of assessments, how to study effectively to prepare for and take an online examination, and developing the skill sets necessary for success in the twenty-first century.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Identify skills needed to be a confident and independent online learner.
  • Describe the history of veterinary medicine.
  • Describe the roles of the veterinary office team.

Lesson Group 1: The Veterinary Office

Lesson Group 1: The Veterinary Office 

In this course, you’ll learn the roles of the front office team members and veterinary assistants. You’ll understand how to schedule appointments, work with insurance, and maintain inventory and records as well as communicate with clients.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Describe the front office team and veterinary assistant roles.
  • Describe different aspects of insurance plans.
  • State the general requirements for maintaining records.
  • List the stages of grief.

Lesson Group 2: Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology

Lesson Group 2: Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology 

In this course, you’ll learn anatomical and physiological terms used to describe animals. Understanding the importance of drug dosage and administration is key to explaining pharmacological effects.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Describe anatomical terms for direction.
  • List the organs of the systems of the body.
  • List the types of tissue in the body.
  • Calculate drug doses.
  • Describe drug administration.

Lesson Group 3: Animal Nursing

Lesson Group 3: Animal Nursing 

In this course, you’ll learn about the common behavior of animals, including dogs and cats. You’ll be able to explain to pet owners the aspects of preventative care, animal nutrition, and proper housing.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Describe procedures used to prevent behavior problems in dogs and cats.
  • Describe feeding methods of dogs and cats in different life cycle stages.
  • Discuss vaccine requirements for animals.
  • Describe the procedure for performing oral and subcutaneous administration of medications.

Lesson Group 4: Clinical Procedures

Lesson Group 4: Clinical Procedures 

In this course, you’ll learn the appropriate terms for surgical procedures, the sterilization process, and surgical wound care. You’ll also learn to explain the collection and preparation of samples and x-rays.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to do the following:

  • Use appropriate terminology related to surgical procedures.
  • Describe methods for sterilizing instruments and equipment.
  • Describe the veterinary assistant’s role in collection and preparation of samples.
  • Explain the x-ray process from positioning the animal to record keeping for the results.

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Program Description

The Veterinary Assisting program is designed to provide you with the functional knowledge of a veterinary office, veterinary anatomy and pharmacology, animal behavior and nutrition, and clinical procedures in veterinary practices.

Students will complete a 120-hour externship in a veterinary office under the instruction of a licensed veterinarian or a credentialed veterinary technician.

Program Objectives

After completing the Veterinary Assisting program, you’ll be able to do the following:

  1. Describe the interpersonal skills and professional characteristics of an effective veterinary assistant, explain where employment opportunities can be found for those with training in animal care, and outline daily responsibilities.
  2. Use appropriate veterinary terminology to describe basic concepts of anatomy and physiology, pathology and disease, pharmacology, dentistry, and nutrition as they apply to animals.
  3. Describe how to determine the difference between emergency medical conditions and less critical medical ailments by identifying symptoms, signs, and clinical signs, and by reading animal body language.
  4. Explain the fundamental quality control procedures used to safely handle and treat both healthy and sick/injured animals, such as when conducting physical examinations, collecting samples, conducting tests, performing procedures, and making observations.
  5. Identify standard procedures used in the animal care laboratory and surgical center and describe the functions, use, and maintenance of the specialized equipment and instruments found there.
  6. Interact with veterinarians, veterinary technicians, clients, and animals, displaying professional skills, appearance, and ethics in a work-experience setting.

Get started on the veterinary assistant course today and move one step closer to your dream job. Call 1-800-535-1613 or enroll now.

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