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. You are:

• Caring and kind
• Loving of animals
• Customer service oriented
• A people person
• A team player

What does a Veterinary Technician do?

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians in the care of animals. They are called to perform many patient-focused tasks, and have specialized skills, allowing them to perform an initial evaluation of the animal’s condition, clean and wrap wounds, check vital statistics, collect samples and even administer medication.

What kinds of skills will I learn during the program?

Our Veterinary Technician Program provides hands-on practical experience and training in:

• Assisting in surgical procedures as Prep Nurse, OR Nurse, Surgical Assistant, and Anesthetist: our NBVMA licensed on-site Veterinary Clinic allows students to assist with real surgeries on real animals.
• Collect, prepare and perform laboratory tests.
• Restraint 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 veterinarians.
• Dentistry: students learn how to perform dental and exam procedures.
• Radiology: students learn radiation safety as well as care and use of x-ray generators, cassettes, and processing.

What kinds of hands-on training will I receive?

During the 2 years of this program, you will share your time between the classroom, laboratory, our 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 six-week Practicum placement in a clinic.

Is the program accredited?

Yes! 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.

What kind of jobs are available with this diploma?

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.

September Start

Term (Year 1): September – June Term (Year 2): September – June Practicum: 6 weeks

February Start

Term (Year 1): February-December Term (Year 2): January-October 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.

• Livestock Production
• Equine Practice
• Diagnostic Laboratories
• Zoos and Wildlife Parks
• Veterinary Supply or Sales
• Veterinary Clinics and Hospitals

You Will Learn:

• Anatomy & Physiology
• Small and Large Animal Nursing
• Radiology
• Dentistry
• Emergency and Critical Care
• Exotics
• Systemic Diseases
• Calculations
• Pharmacology
• Small and Large Animal Nutrition
• Surgical Nursing
• Practice Management
• Animal Behavior

Admissions Requirements:

• Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma or GED
• Grade 11 or 12 Biology* with a minimum average of 65%
• Grade 11 or 12 English*with a minimum average of 65%
• Grade 11 or 12 Academic Math Level* with a minimum average of 65%
• Grade 11 or 12 Chemistry and/or Physics* is considered an asset
• Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
• Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
• Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package
• Geographical quotas may be considered
• Aptitude testing may be used as a predictor of success
• Additional high school or university courses considered an asset

*Level II or University Prepartory courses are required Based on New Brunswick Anglophone High School Curriculum. For other provincial or international requirements please contact us directly. Unless they have completed a minimum of three years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction, international students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency:

• CAEL – minimum score of 60
• IELTS – 6.0 with no individual score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL (IBT) – 80, with no individual score lower than 18
• MELAB – minimum score of 80
• Duolinguo – minimum score of 55
• Cambridge English – minimum score of 169
• Pearson Test of English – minimum score of 50

Admissions Requirements – French School System

• Diplôme grade 12, diplôme adulte ou GED
• Rencontre avec un Admission Advisor
• Anglais 311 ou 411 ou 421 avec un minimum de 65%
• Biologie 411 ou 421 avec un minimum de 65%
• Math 311B ou 321B avec un minimum de 65%
• Physique 311 ou 411 et Chimie 311 ou 411 sont considérés des atouts mais pas nécessaires
• Entrevue de Faculté
• Des quotas géographiques peuvent être considérés

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.

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 Behaviour

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 courses. While here the student gains hands-on experience with basic husbandry, restraint, medication administration, as well as wound cares.

Small 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 II

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.

Surgery Nursing I + II

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 I + II

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.

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.

Surgical Nursing 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 III

Students participate in mock surgeries acting as anesthetist Prep nurse, OR nurse, and Surgical assistant. These are surgeries being done on site in our NBVMA accredited clinic using models thus allowing first year students to become accustomed to our clinic before entering second year.

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.

Lab Procedures IV

The student will learn the principles and procedures behind basic cytology and urinalysis. Emphasis will be placed on proper collection and preparation methods for sample evaluation.

Common Disease

The student will learn about common diseases (acquired and genetic) affecting small animals, horses and ruminants. 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.

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, parenteral injections and administering oral medications will be taught.

Lab V Microbiology

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.

Clinical Exercises IV

Students participate in real surgeries in our onsite veterinary clinic, allowing students to practice all of their clinical skills before entering their practicum.

Practicum

The student is placed on a 6-week practicum session. *Content is subject to change by administration as required to meet program and profession standards.