Academic Catalog

V T 88A: CLINICAL PRECEPTORSHIP I

Foothill College Course Outline of Record

Foothill College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Summer 2025
Units: 2.5
Hours: 7.5 laboratory per week (90 total per quarter)
This is a clinical laboratory course.
Prerequisite: V T 52A and 52B.
Degree & Credit Status: Degree-Applicable Credit Course
Foothill GE: Non-GE
Transferable: CSU
Grade Type: Letter Grade Only
Repeatability: Not Repeatable

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Relate their personal practical clinical experience with the associated knowledge from the related didactic portion of the course.
  • Acquire experience and demonstrate entry-level competence in essential tasks commonly delegated to the Veterinary Assistant. Complete a checklist of Essential Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant.

Description

First in the series of structured off-campus clinical experiences in licensed veterinary facilities, which serve to instruct students in practical, hands-on, clinical skills encompassing all aspects of veterinary assisting as specified by the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators. Students are under the direct supervision of one or more licensed veterinarians and/or credentialed veterinary technicians. Preceptorship sites are approved by the Veterinary Technology Program, in consultation with the student and the veterinary professionals. Students have opportunities for learning and practical application of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required of a veterinary assistant, as well as exposure to various methodologies and practice philosophies in a variety of clinical settings. Emphasis is on the role of the veterinary assistant as member of the veterinary health care team.

Course Objectives

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate appropriate office and hospital procedures and client relations
  2. Demonstrate appropriate pharmacy and pharmacology procedures
  3. Demonstrate appropriate examination and treatment room procedures
  4. Demonstrate appropriate surgical preparation and assisting
  5. Demonstrate appropriate animal medical and surgical nursing
  6. Demonstrate appropriate clinical laboratory procedures
  7. Assist in radiology and ultrasound imaging
  8. Demonstrate appropriate laboratory animal procedures, and avian and exotic animal procedures
  9. Demonstrate appropriate environmental services
  10. Demonstrate appropriate workplace safety
  11. Participate as a veterinary practice team member

Course Content

  1. Office and hospital procedures and client relations
    1. Role of the veterinary assistant in the veterinary health care team
    2. Appropriate standards of practice in a veterinary facility
    3. Written records of skills performance and progress reports
    4. Verbal and written communication
  2. Pharmacy and pharmacology
    1. Basic medical calculations
    2. Common veterinary medications
  3. Examination and treatment room procedures
    1. "Rooming" patients
    2. Patient data from clients
    3. Patient data, including vital signs
  4. Surgical preparation and assisting
    1. Cleaning and autoclaving surgical instruments
    2. Patient preparation for surgical procedures
    3. Anesthesia
  5. Animal medical and surgical nursing
    1. Medication administration
    2. Patient nursing care
  6. Clinical laboratory procedures
    1. Sample collection
    2. In-house and outside lab evaluations
  7. Radiology and ultrasound imaging
    1. Positioning
    2. Radiation safety
  8. Laboratory animal procedures, avian and exotic animal procedures (where available)
    1. Sample collection
    2. In-house and outside lab evaluations
  9. Environmental services
    1. Cleaning of kennels and all human and animal facilities
    2. Maintenance of laboratory equipment, instruments, and hospital equipment
  10. Workplace safety
    1. Restraint and animal handling
    2. Handling of equipment and samples
    3. Lifting techniques
    4. OSHA laws and regulations
  11. Veterinary practice team

Lab Content

  1. Clinical preceptorship in a veterinary facility under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician.
  2. Learn, practice, and demonstrate competency in common clinical skills under direct supervision and complete a set of clinical skills competency checklists and projects.
  3. Verbal and written evaluations by the clinical supervisor.

Special Facilities and/or Equipment

1. Proper clinical attire, name tag; additional items as required by individual sites.
2. Multimedia capable computer and access to the internet.

Method(s) of Evaluation

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

Completion of clinical skills competencies
Written evaluation by a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician

Method(s) of Instruction

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

Internship/preceptorship

Representative Text(s) and Other Materials

No course materials.

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

  1. Weekly reading assignments related to online modules, internet resources, and clinical experiences.
  2. Written assignments and participation in online forum discussions.

Discipline(s)

Registered Veterinary Technician