Academic Catalog

V T 73R: INDEPENDENT STUDY IN VETERINARY TECHNOLOGY

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2024
Units: 4
Hours: 12 laboratory per week (144 total per quarter)
Advisory: Completion of at least the first quarter of the Veterinary Technology program, or V T 52A, or V T 52B; student is working with a faculty instructor.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade (Request for Pass/No Pass)
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Reflect upon and evaluate the value of the topical information studied and discuss the relevance and relationship to the Veterinary Technology Core Curriculum and to clinical practice.
  • Student and instructor will select three essential skills to master.
  • Student will reliably communicate with supervisor and demonstrate best practices for time management, dress, professional use of language.

Description

Provides an opportunity for the student to enhance their hands-on skills and knowledge in Veterinary Assisting or Veterinary Technology beyond the classroom by working in a clinical setting. Our students will create a contract with the faculty instructor and update them on their skill progression. Students will work in a clinic setting for 12 hours per week. Students may take a maximum of 6 units of Independent Study per department.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Reflect on their current skills to create an action plan for improving their skills and knowledge.
  2. Advocate for their patients, provide nursing care, and perform client communication.
  3. Strengthen their understanding of clinical team dynamics.
  4. Gain a better understanding of all positions and the student's place within the veterinary field.

Course Content

  1. Create an action plan to strengthen knowledge and nursing skills
  2. Reflect on experience in the clinic to include patient, client, and co-worker interactions, as well as care provided to patients
  3. Practice veterinary nursing essential skills, as described by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)

Lab Content

Specific activities will vary depending on clinic intakes and procedures. As a veterinary assistant or registered veterinary technician in training, the student relies on their nursing skills, critical thinking skills, and problem solving skills to provide patient care. With support of their supervisor and team, the student will improve their essential skills in veterinary nursing, as described by the AVMA-CVTEA.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Off-campus, licensed veterinary or biomedical facility
2. Scrubs
3. Stethoscope advised

Method(s) of Evaluation

Methods of Evaluation may include but are not limited to the following:

Students will met with clinic supervisor and faculty member to identify areas of improvement
Students will provide faculty a written reflection on their clinic experience

Method(s) of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include but are not limited to the following:

Independent study as defined in the student-faculty contract: students will accomplish the identified objectives in the workplace, which serves as the laboratory

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

Bassert, Joanna, Angela Beal, and Oreta Samples. McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 10th ed.. 2021.

Types and/or Examples of Required Reading, Writing, and Outside of Class Assignments

Reading and writing assignments may include, but are not limited to: appropriate worksite documentation, such as medical records, worksite safety manuals, equipment instructions, clinic-related forms, and reports. Students may also reference the textbook to increase their understanding of clinic procedures. Veterinary technology program students may elect to utilize online skills tracking software.

Discipline(s)

Registered Veterinary Technician