• overview of the profession/animal health world
• overview of the Vet Office Assistant Role

B.  Understanding the Language of Vet Med

• personnel descriptions/credentials/duties
• common terms (radiology/husbandry, procedures, etc.)
• common abbreviations (PRN, TBD, etc.)
• the veterinary facility
• basic medical terminology

C.  Basics of Anatomy & Physiology

• directional terms (right-left, dorsal, ventral, etc.)
• organization of the body (cells>tissues>organs>systems)
• body systems (cardiac, urinary, nervous, etc)

D.  Species and Breeds of Companion Animals

• dog and cat breeds (identification only)
• other species (rabbits, ferrets, rodents, birds, reptiles)

Total Clock Hours:

A.  Basic Husbandry

• housing, nutrition, bedding, enrichment, reproduction

B.  Basic Diseases

• infectious, non-infectious, contagious, zoonotic

C.  Vaccinations (Dogs and Cats)

• core/non-core, vacc. Schedules, side effects/adverse react.

D.  Recognizing Emergencies

• bleeding, seizures, bloating, eyes, blocked cats, GI
• vomiting, diahrrea, etc.

 Total Clock Hours:

A.  Parasitology

• ecto/endo, prevention

B.  Testing

• CBC, chemistries, U/A, fecal, heartworm, sample handling

C.  Medication Handling

• storage, refills, labeling, tips for owners

D.  Radiology

• Definitions (MRI, CT scans, xrays, contrast studies, etc)

 Total Clock Hours:

A.  Basic behavior

• animal body language
• recogizing fear
• recognizing dominance/submissiveness
• recognizing aggression

B.  Causes of Behavior

• pain and distress
• dealing with fear/predator-prey
• dealing with fear/environment

C.  Basic handling/restraint

• leashes, carriers, muzzles, other restraints
• cat restraint methods
• dog restraint methods
• counseling owners pre/post arrival

Total Clock Hours:

 A. Technology skills

• 25 WPM typing
• MS Word, MS Excel

B. Basic Bookkeeping/Acct.

• Client Billing
• AR/AP systems
• Electronic payments, protect client fin. Info

C. Appointment system

D. Intro to Patient Records/Billing

 Total Clock Hours:

A. Patient records:  filing/maint.

B. Telephone: Etiquette/ Handling multiple lines

C. Communication Systems

• email and limitations
• condidentiality

D. Office Equipment

E. Overview of Practice Mgt.

Total Clock Hours:

A. Facilities & Bldg.

• daily maintenance
• preventative maintenance
• sanitation
• reception, examination rooms

B. OSHA/EPA/USDA regulations

• secured areas (sharps, drugs)
• bio-hazard disposal

C. Inventory control

D. Working with testing labs

E. Legal and reg. compliance

F. Security system(s) - bldg

G. PPE

• specimen handling/prep

Total Clock Hours:

A.  Confidentiality & Ethics

• professional ethics
• social media policies

B.  Euthansia

• definition / quality of life
• when and why
• methods
• disposal (cremation/burial, etc)
• how to talk with owners about Euthansia
• authorization from owner

 Total Clock Hours:

C.  Grief Counseling & Mgt.

• preventing spread of grief
• maintaining a postive practice environment
• support for clients/counseling

D.  Anger management/conflict resolution

• listening skills
• reducing stress/fear
• dealing with anger
• using your creativity
• trying for the "win-win"

E.  Self Assessment

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
• Campbell Interest and Skill Survey
• 16 Personality Factors
• Transferable Skills/ Personal Skills

F.  Marketing Your Skills

• Employment Opportunities
• Preparing Employment Data
• Resume
• Cover Letters
• Electronic and Internet Resumes
• Preparing for an Interview
• Follow-up After the Interview
• Receiving Offers of Employment

Total Clock Hours: