Course

Clinical Placement 3

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 2401
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Clinical
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This is a work experience and essential skills evaluation course. Students are required to work in an approved veterinary hospital for the duration of the semester.
Course content

Patient preparation for sedation and anesthesia:

  • preoperative patient assessment including laboratory skills
  • drug calculations and preparation
  • medication and fluid administration
  • placement and nursing care of intravenous catheters

General anesthesia:

  • anesthetic equipment
  • anesthetic protocols for pre-medication, induction, maintenance and recovery
  • endotracheal tube placement and care
  • inhalant anesthesia
  • cardiorespiratory monitoring techniques
  • anesthetic monitoring equipment:
    • pulse oximeters
    • blood pressure monitors
    • electrocardiogram
    • esophageal stethoscope
    • regulated warming devices
    • capnograph (optional)
  • problem solving during anesthesia
  • charts and medical records
  • anesthetic and controlled drug logs

Radiation safety:

  • radiography equipment
  • personal protective equipment
  • safe work practices

Radiography:

  • positioning techniques for common radiographic views
  • technique charts
  • labelling, processing and storage of radiographs
  • radiograph evaluation
  • radiography log
  • care and maintenance of x-ray equipment

Dental radiography:

  • dental anatomy
  • radiograph positioning, exposure, evaluation and storage

Dentistry:

  • anatomy and physiology of oral structures and dentition
  • oral exam and charting
  • dental instrument identification, care and sharpening
  • dental cleaning and oral hygiene procedures
  • local anesthetic procedures
  • personal ergonomics

 

Learning activities

Students will practice and demonstrate clinical competency in the assigned essential skills (e.g. through submission of photos and videos to the instuctor), using dogs and cats in a veterinary hospital setting.

Assessment of record keeping, laboratory and radiography skills, may include submission of copies of patient medical records, logs, laboratory results and radiographs.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline listing the specific essential skills to be evaluated and the evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. The essential skills will be evaluated through submission of a minimum of 10 assignments.

In order to achieve a grade of C (or higher) in the course, students must:

  • complete a minimum of 120 hours work in an approved veterinary hospital
  • demonstrate competency (a performance of 60% or higher) in an evaluation of each of the assigned essential skills. With instructor permission, demonstration of competency of some skills (up to a maximum of 20% of the total number skills evaluated in the course) may be deferred to future clinical placement courses.
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate dog and cat essential skills designated by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, using live animals;
  • accurately calculate drug dosages;
  • safely prepare and administer injectable medications;
  • securely place an intravenous catheter in a peripheral vein;
  • perform routine nursing care of an intravenous catheter;
  • safely administer intravenous fluids;
  • sedate, induce anesthesia in and intubate dogs and/or cats; 
  • place and use anesthetic monitoring equipment;
  • set up and use inhalant anesthetic machines;
  • safely monitor animals under sedation and general anesthesia;
  • maintain sedation and anesthesia at an appropriate plane for the procedure;
  • troubleshoot changes to vital signs in animals under sedation and anesthesia;
  • safely operate stationary and mobile (dental) x-ray machines;
  • position and take radiographic images of dogs and cats;
  • evaluate the diagnostic quality of radiographs; 
  • label, process and store radiographs;
  • perform a comprehensive oral health assessment and treatment including dental charting;
  • create diagnostic dental radiographs;
  • complete medical records pertaining to anesthesia, dentistry and radiography including anesthetic monitoring charts;
  • complete radiography, anesthesia and controlled drug logs.

Note: some skills listed may be evaluated in VTEC 3111 Clinical Placement 4

Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:

  • JM Bassert, AD Beal & OM Samples. (Current Edition). McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians. Elsevier.

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 2109 and VTEC 2112 and VTEC 2406 and VTEC 1314

Students in the Veterinary Technology Program are required to maintain a minimum grade of C in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for VTEC 2401
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

There are no course offerings this semester.