Veterinary Support Assistant

Syllabus

Lesson 1: Welcome to the course and Preparing for Employment

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Introduction and course structure
Benefits of this course and getting the most out of this course
Veterinary Nurses and Nursing Assistants
Preparing for employment

Lesson 2: Veterinary Medical Terminology

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Veterinary words in easy bites
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Glossary of veterinary terms

Lesson 3: Basic Small animal Anatomy and Physiology part one

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Cardiovascular system
Major body cavities
Skeletal structure
Tissue structure and shape

Lesson 4: Basic Small animal Anatomy and Physiology part two

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Digestive and excretory systems
Respiratory systems
Endocrine glands
Nervous system

Lesson 5: Handling animals

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Approaching an animal
Typical restraints and handling equipment
Behaviour
Correct dog and cat handling methods
Exotic handling

Lesson 6: Animal diet and nutrition

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Importance of nutrition
Types of food
Nutrients
Stages of life
Nutritional support

Lesson 7: Animal disease part one

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Cancer
Heart disease
Liver disease
Kidney disease

Lesson 8: Animal disease part two

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Skeletal diseases
Skin diseases and parasites
Infectious diseases
Other common illnesses

Lesson 9: Small animal Emergency nursing part one

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Aims
Assessment
Animal first aid kit
ABC and CPR
Handling a first aid patient
Shock

Lesson 10: Small animal Emergency nursing part two

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Fractures
Bites and stings
Wounds and burns
Poisoning and fitting
Diarrhoea and vomiting
Hyperthermia and Hypothermia

Lesson 11: Infection control

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Importance of infection control
Personal protective equipment
Cleaning and Disinfection
Sterilisation
Hand Hygiene
Isolation of an infecious animal
Waste

Lesson 12: Diagnostic Tests used by Vets

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Radiography
Ultrasound
Radiography or ultrasound?
MRI scanning in animals
Blood Tests
Urine Tests

Lesson 13: Care of Ill Animals

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Monitoring
Temperature, Pulse and Respiration
Basic care of inpatients
How do vets give animals medicine?
Giving oral,ear and eye medication
How vets manage fluid levels

Lesson 14: Operation Care

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Veterinary anaesthesia
Common veterinary surgical procedures
Schedule 3 Procedures
Sterile Field
Surgical instruments
Pre op preparation
Post op care

Lesson 15: Euthanasia

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Reasons for euthanasia
Making the decision
Euthanasia process
Euthanasia of exotic pets
Signs of a dying animal
Signs of death
Burial and cremation
The animals left behind

Lesson 16: Safety and welfare

The learning outcomes for this unit are:

Health and Safety laws and regulations
Hazards
Signs
Zoonosis
Safety tips
Animal rescue and welfare organisations
A veterinary nurses code of conduct

Study Hours

This is only an approximate figure and is dependant upon how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how well you grasp the learning concepts in the course material. Furthermore, at the end of each lesson there is a question paper that needs to be completed and returned to your tutor. You should allow at least 1 - 2 hours of study to complete each question paper.

The approximate amount of time required to complete the course is: 160 hrs.