Practicum: 40 hours/week
This is a full-time in-clinic or in-hospital work experience.
Methods of evaluation may include written assignments, clinic evaluations, practical (essential skills) evaluations, case studies and online blog or discussion board posts.
Workplace and client communications
- verbal communications
- written communications
Small animal nursing
- restraint
- physical examination
- medication administration
- grooming
- pain assessment
- medical records
Small animal procedures
- blood and urine collection
- intravenous catheter placement & nursing care
- administration of intravenous and subcutaneous fluids
- bandaging
- laboratory procedures
Small animal anesthesia
- patient assessment
- anesthesia planning
- induction, monitoring and recovery
Small animal radiography
Small animal dentistry
- oral charting
- local blocks
- dental radiography
- manual & ultrasonic cleaning
Surgical assistance
- sterile preparation of gowns
- drapes and instruments
- patient preparation
- post operative care
- suture removal
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- safely and competently perform dog and cat essential skills as designated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association using live animals;
- communicate effectively with co-workers;
- communicate with clients using various methods such as phone, email and in-person;
- perform patient admission and discharge procedures;
- dispense medications to pet owners;
- safely perform patient restraint and physical examinations;
- administer medications by oral, topical and parenteral routes according to veterinarian instructions;
- perform routine husbandry and nursing procedures such as kennel care, grooming, feeding, monitoring, pain assessment and bandaging;
- perform sedation and anesthesia including induction, maintenance and monitoring of general anesthesia;
- take diagnostic radiographs according to veterinarian instructions;
- perform routine dental cleaning, dental radiographs and dental instrument maintenance.
Assessment will be in accordance with the swagÂ鶹 Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.
This course will use a Mastery-based assessment. Students will receive a Mastery ("MAS") grade based on attendance at a minimum of 80% of the practicum hours, submission of all practicum assignments and satisfactory evaluation of assigned VTEC skills competencies.
Consult the swagÂ鶹 Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.
Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:
None