CLINICAL PRACTICUM

ACTIVITY BOOK
FOR
VETERINARY
ASSISTANTS

This book belongs to:

_________________________________________

Completion Date of Course Series

__________________________________________________________

Copyright © 1998, revised 2001, revised 2005, revised 2010 by Carroll Community
College. All rights reserved. No part or this book may be reproduced in any form,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher,
Carroll Community College.
 CLINIC HOURS
Veterinary Assistant Students must complete 54 hours working and /or observing in their
assigned Clinic Site.

The objective is for the Veterinary Assistant Student to experience the tasks defined in
this Clinical Practicum Activity Book.

STUDENT SIGNATURE_________________________________________

Date Hours Signature – Clinic Mentor

2
Note to on-site Clinical Supervisor:
The curriculum of the Veterinary Assistant Training is designed to provide hands-on experiences
to assure that each student performs the tasks described on the following pages. A licensed
Veterinary Technician or a Veterinarian should supervise the tasks.

Supervisor’s Student’s
Course #1: Veterinary Assistant Training I: Initials Initials
Outpatient

OFFICE PROCEDURES & CLIENT RELATIONS

1. Make appointments with Supervision – prioritize the

veterinarian’s schedule.
2. Demonstrate understanding of computerized record
keeping.
3. Demonstrate proper telephone etiquette by taking
telephone messages and dealing with difficult calls.
4. Perform basic filing of medical records, radiographs, lab
5. reports, etc.
6. Locate & review clinic’s surgery, anesthesia, and
laboratory log books.
7. Communicate with clients as directed by the veterinarian.
8. Maintain basic cleanliness and orderliness of a veterinary
facility (including hospital, clinic, and laboratory).
9. Review hospital forms and policies.

HISTORY TAKING & EXAM ROOM PROCEDURES

1. Identify the components of a patient’s medical record.

2. Take a brief patient history prior to examination with
veterinary staff supervision.
3. Clean & disinfect exam rooms.
4. Identify the following exam room equipment:
1. Otoscope
2. Laryngoscope
3. Neuro hammer
4. Stethoscope
5. Ophthalmoscope
5. Review clinic’s client education & preventive medicine
programs.
ANIMAL RESTRAINT & HANDLING
1. Safely handle & restrain patients:
 Dog
 Cat
 Bird
 Small rodent
2. Apply, use & clean various restraint equipment:
 Collar
 Leash
 Muzzle
 Elizabethan collar
 Restraint pole
 Cat bag
3
ANATOMY & PHYSIOIOGY Supervisor’s Student’s
Initials Initials
1. Use an animal patient to demonstrate knowledge of
anatomical terminology:
 Cranial
 Rostral
 Caudal
 Anterior
 Posterior
 Ventral
 Dorsal
 Internal
 External
2. Use the animal patient to demonstrate knowledge of the
anatomy of the
 Head & neck
 Eye
 Ear
 Nervous System
 Skeleton
 Thoracic cavity & heart
 Abdominal cavity
 Urogenital system
 Reproduction system
 Muscles & blood vessels
ANIMAL DISEASE & VACCINATION
1. Describe vaccine effectiveness.
2. Identify Core and Non-core vaccines for the dog and cat.
3. Prepare patient vaccines with veterinary staff supervision.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
1. Obtain patient weights in kilograms and pounds.
2. Assist the veterinarian in performing patient physical exam.
3. Measure & record patient body temperature, pulse, respiration
rate & determine capillary refill time.
4. State normal temperature, pulse, and respiration
rates for various species

4
Course #2: Veterinary Assistant Training II:
Diagnostics & Pharmacy
Supervisor’s initials
Student’s initials

BASIC LABORATORY PROCEDURES

1. Identify & be familiar with the use of the following microscope parts:
 Eyepiece
 Revolving nosepiece
 Fine & coarse adjustment
 The condenser
 Mechanical stage
 Illuminator/field diaphragm
2. Properly clean 100x objective
3. View images under 4x, 10x, 40x, & oil immersion

4. Adjust the microscope and select the appropriate setting to view a fecal flotation sample.

5. Clean the microscope and lab area.

6. Identify equipment & set up materials for the following:

 CBC
 Serum chemistries
 Blood gases
 Clotting function
 Hematocrit
 Total protein (refractometer)

7. Identify the common sites for blood collection for various species in the hospital:
 Jugular vein
 Cephalic vein
 Saphenous vein

8. Set up equipment for catheterized urine collection.

9. Assist the veterinarian or technician with collecting a catheterized urine sample.

10. Perform a partial urinalysis:

 Determine urine physical properties
 Color
 Clarity/turbidity
 Specific gravity
11. Test urine chemical properties using dipstick
12. Prepare urine sediment for analysis
13. Prepare set up for urine culture

5
14. Using in-hospital diagnostic equipment – perform a:
 CBC
 Serum chemistry

15. Prepare diagnostic samples and paperwork for a commercial laboratory.

6
PARASITOLOGY
Supervisor’s Initials
Student’s Initials

1. Identify common ectoparasites:

 Fleas
 Ticks
 Mites

2. Identify the clinic’s stock of preventive medications for ectoparasites and explain how each
works.

3. Collect feces from a dog and prepare a fecal flotation.

4. Prepare the fecal sample under the microscope for diagnosis.

5. Observe ova and cysts under a microscope from the following endoparasites:
 Coccidia
 Giardia
 Round worm
 Whip worm
 Hook worm
 Tape worm

6. Prepare a blood sample for heartworm examination using the following methods:
 Direct smear
 Di-Fil test (filter test)
 Occult/antigen heartworm test

7. Identify the clinic’s stock of preventive medications for endoparasites and explain how each
works.

PHARMACOLOGY

1. Identify the different components of a prescription label.

2. Identify the in-clinic drugs by their drug classification:

 Antimicrobial Drugs – Antibiotics
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  Anti-fungal Drugs
 Internal Antiparasitics (Anthelmintic)
 Drugs Affecting the Nervous System:
 Anti-Inflammatory and Musculoskeletal Drugs
 Drugs Affecting the Cardiovascular System
 Drugs Affecting the Respiratory System
 Drugs Affecting the Gastrointestinal Tract
 Drugs Affecting the Endocrine System
 Drugs Affecting the Urinary Tract
 Ophthalmic and Otic Drugs

3. Reinforce familiarity of pharmacology abbreviations and terminology by

using them in clinical practice.

4. Be familiar with the clinic’s Controlled Substance Log

RADIOLOGY – MATERIALS & SAFETY

1. Label radiographs for identification and filing

2. File radiographs

3. Follow recommended safety procedures & identify the following safety equipment:
 Lead gloves
 Lead apron
 Thyroid shield
 Lead glasses/eye protection

8
RADIOLOGY – EXPOSURE AND TECHNIQUES Supervisor’s Student’s
Initials Initials
1. Identify the following radiology equipment:
 X-ray cassettes – Table top & Under the table – 8X10,
10X12, 14X17
 Calipers
 Lead marker (right and left)
 X-ray identification label
 Under table bucky
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the following basic patient
positions for radiographs:
 VD
 DV
 AP
 PA
 LAT
3. Measure & position a patient for an x-ray.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the following as they apply
to the quality of a radiograph:
 Timer
 Milliamperes (mA)
 Kilovolt Potential (kVp)
5. Use technique charts & set machine under supervision.
6. Properly care for equipment
 Hang or store gloves & aprons properly.
 Clean table
 Clean screens
7. Identify common errors in radiographic techniques.
8. Identify alternative imaging techniques within the clinic:
 Ultrasonography
 Endoscopy
 Fluorosocopy
 Digital radiography
 Computed radiography
 Teleradiology
 Computed tomography (CT scan)
 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
9. Develop a radiograph with veterinary staff supervision.

9
Course #3: Veterinary Assistant Training III:
Patient Care
Supervisor’s Initials
Student’s Initials
MEDICATING THE PATIENT

1. Identify various ways to medicate patients:

 Orally (pills, liquid)
 Ear
 Eye
 Cheek pouch
 Hand pill
 Ball gun
2. Set-up equipment for gastric intubation.
3. Set-up equipment for parenteral injections.

4. Document in patient’s record treatments and medications given. Provide date, time,
medication name, dosage, route given.

5. Observe as the veterinary staff calculates dosages.

NUTRITION

1. Evaluate the nutritional requirements of a dog and cat using the food the clinic sells or has for
patient use. Use the label to evaluate amounts of:
 Carbohydrates
 Proteins
 Lipids
 Water
 Minerals
 Vitamins

FLUID THERAPY

1. Setup the following equipment for IV catheterization:

 Clippers with #40 blade
 Betadine scrub, alcohol, Betadine solution
 Proper catheter for type of IV catheterization
 Antibiotic ointment
 2X2 gauze sponges
 ½ inch tape
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  Suture material per veterinarian’s request
 Injection cap
 Sterile gloves

2. Restrain patients for cephalic and jugular catheterization.

3. Recognize the difference between a functional and non -

4. functional IV catheter.

5. Observe as the veterinary staff calculates the drip rate for a patient receiving fluid therapy.

6. Prepare a bag of fluids and venotubing for administration to a patient.

7. Care for & maintain infusion pump equipment

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THERAPUTIC TECHNIQUES

1. Set-up equipment & assist in care of patients using:

 Mask oxygen therapy
 Commercial oxygen cages
 Incubators
 Transtracheal catheters
 Nasal catheters

THERAPUTIC TECHNIQUES
Supervisor’s Initials
Student’s Initials
1. Assist with administration of physical therapy
 Massage therapy
 Exercise therapy
 Cold therapy
 Heat therapy

2. Remove bandages with supervision.

3. Identify various bandage materials & their use.
4. Provide bandage care.

5. Trim nails (dogs, cats, birds)

6. Perform therapeutic bathing, basic grooming, & dipping

7. of small animals.

8. Set-up equipment for abscess cleaning/ debridement.

9. Provide care of recumbent patient.

10. Provide care of newborns & orphan animals.

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Course #4: Veterinary Assistant Training IV:
Anesthesia, Surgery, & Emergency
Care
Supervisor’s Initials
Student’s Initials
ANESTHESIA

1. Assist with admitting patients to the hospital.

2. Identify & describe the use of common anesthetic agents:

 Pre anesthetic
 Anticholinergic
 Anticholinergic agents
 Anesthetic blocks
 Spinal blocks
 General anesthesia
 Tranquilizers & sedatives
 Opoids
 Dissociative agents

3. Identify, set-up, and maintain:

 IV catheters
 Endotracheal tubes
 Laryngoscope
 Anesthesia machine
 ECG machine
 Blood pressure monitor
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  Pulse oximeter
 Esophageal stethoscope

4. Assist with monitoring an anesthetized animal.

5. Assess the depth of anesthesia of a patient from induction through the maintenance phase of
anesthesia with veterinary staff supervision.

6. Assist the veterinary staff in recovering a patient from anesthesia.

SURGERY

1. Observe the following surgeries:

 Ovariohysterectomy – dogs and cats
 Cesarean section – all common species
 Orthopedic procedures
 Castration – all common species
 Tail docking – pups
 Declawing – cats
 Exploratory Laparotomy
 Orthopedic procedures
 Dehorning

2. Learn the different uses of various instruments in the following surgical packs:
 Soft tissue/spay pack
 Orthopedic pack
 Minor/laceration pack
 Cold sterilization pack
 Large animal surgical pack (optional)

3. Clean surgical instruments.

4. Prepare surgical packs for sterilization.

5. Operate and maintain an autoclave unit.

6. Identify common suture materials, types, & sizes.

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SURGERY
Supervisor’s Initials
Student’s Initials

1. Identify the following surgical materials

 Surgical Gown
 Surgical gloves
 Various types of drapes
 Booties
 Surgical Masks

2. Clip and clean a patient’s surgical site.

3. Position patient on the surgical table for required surgery.

4. Demonstrate knowledge of the following operation room equipment:

 Suction unit
 Cautery unit
 Warm water circulating heating pad

5. Maintain proper operating room conduct and asepsis.

6. Identify the different parts of the surgery log & record

patient’s physiological data (post-operative):
 Temperature
 Pulse
 Respiration
 Color
 Capillary refill time (CRT)
 PCO2/PO2/EKG if applicable using available equipment

7. Perform post-surgical clean-up:

 Equipment
 Surgical room or area
 Instruments
 Patient
 Proper disposal of hazardous medical waste

EMERGENCY CARE

15
 1. Assist with emergency protocols:
2. Maintain emergency drugs & medical supplies.
3. Check expiration dates of drugs on “crash cart”.

4. Identify & set-up equipment for the treatment of:

 Shock
 Trauma
 Fractures
 Wounds
 Parvovirus
 Gastric dilatation
 Renal failure
 Urethral obstruction
 Seizures
 Poisoning
 Heat stroke

5. Identify & assist in maintaining the following emergency equipment:

 Endotracheal tube
 Laryngoscope
 O2 Source
 EKG Machine
 Stethoscope
 Ambu bag
 Blood transfusion equipment

Completion Certification

_________________________________ has successfully completed the tasks

student name (please print)

in this booklet under the supervision of a veterinary technician or veterinarian.

______________________________________ ________________
Clinical Site Supervisor, Title Date

16
______________________________________ ________________
Clinical Manager, College Date

17