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Veterinary Technician
The Oulton College Veterinary Technician Diploma Program prepares you for a career in the growing field of veterinary medicine. Advancement in diagnostics and treatments has resulted in an increased demand for Veterinary Technicians. In addition to ensuring the health care of companion animals, graduates also find employment in other related fields ranging from Equine practice, to working in diagnostic laboratories, to veterinary supply and sales.
Our program is the only accredited program in New Brunswick and follows standards set out by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. Graduates are eligible to write the VTNE credentialing exam enabling them to apply for licenses anywhere in North America.
Our Veterinary Technician Program provides hands-on practical experience and training in:
- Assisting in surgical procedures as Prep Nurse, Nurse, Surgical Assistant and Anesthetist: our new NBVMA licensed on-site Veterinary Clinic allows students to assist with real surgeries on real animals.
- Collect, Prepare and Perform laboratory tests.
- Restraints and Animal Husbandry: our students go to animal shelters as well as equine, bovine and ovine farms.
- Administering Medication: students learn to administer vaccines and other drugs as prescribed by staff veterinarian instructors.
- Dentistry: students learn how to examine and perform of dental procedures.
- X-Ray: students learn radiation safety as well as care and use of x-ray generators, cassettes and processing.
During the 2 years of this program, you will share your time between the classroom, laboratory, our new on-site Veterinary Clinic and numerous field trips to farms and animal shelters to practice your skills in the field. You will also take part in a 6-week Practicum placement in a clinic.
If you like working with and care deeply about small or large animals, our Veterinary Technician Program may be just the program for you.
Duration: Two Year Program starts September 2013
Practicum: 6 weeks
Career Choices
Canada has never seen a greater demand for skilled Veterinary Technicians. Veterinary Technicians are vital members of the Veterinary Health Care Team, providing skills in a variety of areas including patient care, laboratory procedures, specimen collection, surgical assisting, anesthesia, radiography, and nutritional support to a variety of pet and laboratory species.
- Veterinary Offices
- Livestock Production
- Equine Practice
- Diagnostic Laboratories
- Zoos and Wildlife Parks
- Veterinary Supply or Sales
- Pet Food Industry
You Will Learn
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Small and Large Animal Nursery
- Radiology
- Immunology
- Dentistry
- Emergency and Critical Care
- Theriogeneology & Genetics
- Exotics
- Systemic Diseases
Course Descriptions
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY I
This course provides a comparative review of the gross and microscopic anatomy as well as basic physiology of selected species. Topics will include organs, organ systems, and organ system functions within the animal body. Students will also learn the fundamentals of medical terminology.
LAB PROCEDURES I
The student will learn and be able to identify the various internal and external parasites encountered in veterinary medicine, as well as components of urine, and the importance of testing. The student will also perform urinalysis and parasite testing.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
This course will deal with client relations, scheduling appointments, telephone techniques, client education, record keeping and effective communication. There will be a strong focus on veterinary medical terminology. The student will also receive an introduction to Veterinary Practice Management Software. There will be discussion on euthanasia, grief and the human-animal bond. Upon completion of this course, students will be effective veterinary receptionists and demonstrate excellent customer service techniques.
CALCULATIONS
Students will learn how to problem solve, to understand drug labels and calculate drug dosages, to calculate IV fluid rates, and become familiar with various units of measure and conversion between units.
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Basic animal behaviors such as how sick and healthy animals communicate as well as inappropriate behaviors are covered in this course. Housetraining and interacting with animals in a clinic situation will be emphasized. Learn to understand normal behavior of domestic animals and recognize signs of pain, aggression, or fear as encountered in veterinary practices and interacting with these animals appropriately.
SMALL ANIMAL NUTRITION/LARGE ANIMAL NUTRITION
After learning the basic principles of nutrition, students will then be shown how to apply this knowledge when reading labels, or advising clients on what diets are available for different life stages and disease processes. Topics discussed will include: nutritional goals, nutrients vs. ingredients, pet food production, forage recognition, equine diets, special diets, and client counselling.
CLINICAL EXERCISES (SPCA/CLINIC)
This course includes field trips to the local SPCA to help facilitate the practical skills acquired within the animal nursing 1 and 11 courses. While here the student gains hands-on experience with basic husbandry, restraint, medication administration, as well as wound cares.
ANIMAL NURSING I
This course will provide the student with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to develop various small animal nursing skills. The student will learn how to restrain and safely examine animals as well as administer medications, collect diagnostic samples for interpretation, and perform minor procedures including pedicure, ear cleanings, and urinary catheterizations.
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
This course is a continuation of the material learned in Anatomy and Physiology 101. The student will continue to learn of gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy and physiology of selected species.
LAB PROCEDURES II
The student will learn the basic components of blood. Emphasis will be placed on the erythron and clotting functions. The student will learn to perform basic hematology testing involved in a Complete Blood Count.
DISSECTION
The student will dissect preserved/fresh specimens and identify various organs and structures.
IMMUNOLOGY AND DISEASES
An introduction to the immune system including the structure and function of lymph nodes, bone marrow and leukocytes. Topics include the immune response, active and passive immunity, hypersensitivities, and auto immunity. Emphasis is placed on why we vaccinate, what we vaccinate for, vaccine protocols and why vaccines sometimes fail.
SURGERY II (THEORY)
This course will provide the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively monitor the anesthetized patient as well as upon surgical recovery. Learners will develop skills in the function and the use of anesthetic equipment, care, induction, and maintenance of anesthetic patients, selecting anesthetic drug protocols and troubleshooting.
CLINICAL EXERCISES
This course serves as an introduction to surgical instrumentation, preparation of surgical packs and sterilization techniques. Students will learn pre-anesthetic and pre-surgical patient preparation, sterile techniques including standard operating room conduct, opening surgical packs, as well as aseptically gowning and gloving.
SMALL ANIMAL NURSING II
This course is a continuation of the material learned in small animal nursing 140. The student will learn the skills necessary to provide quality nursing care to small animals. Material covered will include fluid therapy as well as how to administer it, wound classification, wound care and management, proper bandaging techniques as well as the basics in alternative medicine. This course has a practical component where skills are learned and assessed in combination with other courses practical skills and assessments.
LAB PROCEDURES III
The student will further study the components of blood. Emphasis will be placed on the leukogram and clinical chemistries. Care and use of various laboratory instruments will also be covered. The student will learn to perform a complete hematology panel, as well as using the various in-house blood analyzers.
THERIO AND GENETICS
Students will learn the relationship between our animal’s environment, brain, and reproductive organs. The different hormones responsible for initiating as well as controlling the reproductive cycle will be explained. Expected behavior during the estrus cycle, appropriate timing and techniques for breeding and parturition will be discussed. Basic genetics will be covered to give the student an understanding of the definitions associated with inheritance, monohybrid and dihybrid cross and how to use the Punnett square. Outbreeding, backbreeding, inbreeding, line breeding, X-linked genes and chromosomal abnormalities will be taught.
DENTISTRY
Detailed dental anatomy, charting of the mouth, understanding the cause and importance of periodontal disease, as well as treatment options and home care are all discussed. Also during the clinical exercise (VT 421 and 521), students will perform real dental cleanings on anesthetized animals.
INTRO TO PHARMACOLOGY
Introduces students to the terminology, routes of administration and mathematics unique to pharmacology.
SURGERY III
Students will be introduced to the common surgical procedures performed in the veterinary hospital. Reasons for the procedures as well as the technician’s role before, during and after each procedure will be explained.
CLINICAL EXERCISES
Students participate in actual surgeries acting as Prep nurse, OR nurse, and Surgical assistant. These are real surgeries being done on site in our NBVMA accredited clinic thus allowing first year students to become accustomed to our clinic before entering second year.
SURGERY PREP INTO
The student will be given this time to prepare his/her assigned patient for surgery. A complete physical exam and pre-surgical blood work will be completed in this time. This will be at the end of the first year.
LAB PROCEDURES IV
The student will learn the principles and procedures behind basic cytology and microbiology. Emphasis will be placed on proper collection and preparation methods for sample evaluation.
EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE
This course will educate students about the various emergencies that may be encountered in clinic and the technician’s role in these situations, including anesthetic emergencies, toxicological emergencies and cardiac arrest. We will also cover dealing with the critically ill patient, including anesthesia, medications and nutrition.
COMMON DISEASES
The student will learn about common diseases (acquired and genetic) affecting small animals. Emphasis will be placed on client education and care of the ill patient.
EXOTICS
The student will learn about the principles of animal research and the regulatory bodies that govern research. The student will learn receiving, testing and quarantine procedures. As well, the student will learn how to perform physical examinations, basic care procedures, administer medications, and collect samples for testing on species such as rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, avian species, non- human primates, reptiles and wildlife.
RADIOLOGY
In this course students gain an understanding and will be able to demonstrate radiology safety measures, proper care and maintenance of radiographic equipment, patient positioning, and processing of radiographs. Students will be taught how to recognize common technical errors on processed radiographs and how to correct them. The student will gain experience and develop skills with both stationary small animal and mobile large animal x-ray equipment.
PHARMACOLOGY
This course will examine common medications used in veterinary medicine, prescription dispensing, handling, storing and documentation of controlled substances, routes and methods of drug administration. Students will develop a working knowledge of veterinary medications, terminology, proper handling, administration and possible side effects of drugs and prescription dispensing protocol.
CLINIC EXERCISES
Students participate in actual surgeries acting as Prep nurse, OR nurse, Surgical assistant, and Anesthetist. These are real surgeries being done on site in our NBVMA accredited clinic thus allowing students to practice their skills through real hands on experience.
SURGERY PREP
The student will be given this time to prepare his/her assigned patient for surgery. A complete physical exam and pre-surgical blood work will be completed in this time.
POST OP
Through a combination of photos and notes taken by instructors, all surgeries are discussed and examined as a group to allow students to learn from each other’s experiences.
LARGE ANIMAL NURSING
Through a combination of lectures and field trips, students will learn how to safely handle and work around cattle, horses and sheep. As well, methods for blood collection, parental injections and administering oral medications will be taught.
LAB V MICRO
In this course, students will learn the basics of Mycology, Microbiology and Virology, as well as how to collect, store and culture various micro-organisms.
PRACTICUM
The student is placed on a 6-week practicum session.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma or GED
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology with a minimum average of 65%
- Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry is considered an asset
- Grade 11 or 12 Physics is considered an asset
- Grade 11 or 12 Math is considered an asset
- Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
- Successful Completion of the Pre-Admissions Aptitude Test
- Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
- Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package
- Geographical quotas may be considered
