Veterinary Assistant, C.A.S.

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Anna Romano, Veterinary Technology Program Coordinator
(304)367-4763
aromano@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose

The Veterinary Assistant C.A.S is designed to prepare students for an entry-level position in the field of veterinary medicine. Veterinary assistants work under the supervision of veterinarians and/or veterinary technicians to perform routine tasks associated with a veterinary hospital and animal care. The program is not a pre-veterinary program.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Veterinary Assistant, C.A.S. program is based upon the following criteria[:

Apply to Pierpont Community and Technical College for the term you want to begin the program and meet the general admission requirements or be a current student
1. First-time students should select “Health Sciences: Veterinary Assistant” as their educational goal on their application.
2. Current students will need to complete a Change of Major form and select “Veterinary Assistant (Certificate)” as their requested major.

Qualified students are accepted into the program until capacity is met.

*Students can begin the program in the fall semester.

Program Requirements

Students must be able to meet the essential functions of the program and classes, with or without accommodations.
Students will need to provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites.

Students must complete each course in the Veterinary Assistant program model schedule with a grade of “C” or higher and maintain an overall 2.0 GPA to remain in the program. Students who receive a “D” or “F” in a course must repeat the course before continuing in the program’s course sequence. If students receive two such grades in the same course, they will be removed from the program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Veterinary Assistant C.A.S., graduates will be able to do the following:

Demonstrate competency in the entry level communication skills required for a veterinary assistant
Demonstrate competency in the entry level technical skills required for a veterinary assistant
Exhibit conduct that reflects the professional, ethical, and legal standards established by the field of veterinary medicine

Opportunities

Graduates from the program can pursue career opportunities in animal hospitals, clinics, research laboratories, and universities as a veterinary assistant.

Required Courses (30 Hrs)

~ENGL 1104 - Written English I 3-4 hr(s). (“C” or higher required for graduation)
~MTH 1207 - Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics 3-4 hr(s).
HLCA 1100 - Medical Terminology 3 hr(s).
VETA 1110 - Communication and Office Procedures for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1111 - Communication Office Procedures for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1120 - Diseases and Medications for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1121 - Diseases and Medications for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1130 - Animal Care of Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1131 - Animal care for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1140 - Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1141 - Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1150 - Diagnostic Procedures for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1151 - Diagnostic Procedures for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1160 - Clinical Experience for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1161 - Veterinary Assistant Capstone 2 hr(s).
VETT 1113 - Introduction to Veterinary Technology 2 hr(s).

Model Schedule (30 Hrs)

Fall Semester (15 Hrs)

~ENGL 1104 - Written English I 3-4 hr(s). (“C” or higher required for graduation)
~MTH 1207 - Fundamental Concepts of Mathematics 3-4 hr(s).
VETA 1110 - Communication and Office Procedures for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1111 - Communication Office Procedures for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1120 - Diseases and Medications for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1121 - Diseases and Medications for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1130 - Animal Care of Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1131 - Animal care for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).

Spring Semester (15 Hrs)

HLCA 1100 - Medical Terminology 3 hr(s).
VETA 1140 - Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1141 - Surgical Nursing for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1150 - Diagnostic Procedures for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1151 - Diagnostic Procedures for Veterinary Assistants Lab 1 hr(s).
VETA 1160 - Clinical Experience for Veterinary Assistants 2 hr(s).
VETA 1161 - Veterinary Assistant Capstone 2 hr(s).
VETT 1113 - Introduction to Veterinary Technology 2 hr(s).

Notice to All Students

Annual Notification: All career and technical education courses and programs are offered at Pierpont regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability.
Advanced Skill Set and Skill Set programs do not qualify for financial aid. Students seeking financial aid eligible degrees may incorporate the classes as electives when their schedule allows or may declare an associate or certificate degree in which the skill set and advanced skill set courses are embedded.
Students are reminded to review campus policies and procedures as stated in the catalog.

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