Course Catalog

 

  • Vet Tech Nursing Academy is located at 616 Broadway, El Cajon California 92021. Our academics are offered through distant education using the on-site learning platform MedEdStat© via the Internet and interaction between students and faculty occur using an online environment. For those students who are unable to complete their required task lists at their hospital that they are currently employed at, they can utilize the facility at All God’s Creatures Teaching Hospital & Surgery Center to complete those clinical task lists.

  • A certificate of completion, a required element of the eligibility portion of the VTNE application process, is awarded to the candidates that successfully complete the entire program 323 hours. The courses are measured in clock hours. One clock hour is equal to 50 minutes (lecture, clinical, laboratory, preparation). VTNA is not a degree granting academy. The registered veterinary technician alternative route program is a certificate program only and does not lead towards a degree.

    Each course is designed to provide the knowledge needed to enable students to pass with the VTNE. VTNA encourages individuals to learn as well as practice skills in their workplace under a licensed California veterinarian or registered veterinary technician (RVT). The faculty follow each student’s progress very closely and offer virtual Live office hours each week, as well as personalized hands-on training at All God’s Creatures Teaching Hospital & Surgery Center in El Cajon, California to complete the required task list. The Task List must be completed and checked off by the candidate’s supervising veterinarian or by completing tasks on location at AGCTHSC. VTNA will also coordinate with selected licensed California veterinarians or registered veterinary technicians (RVT) to complete the clinical portion of the training.

    The VNTA utilizes an on-demand state of the art web-based learning platform that can be accessed on any device connected to the internet, using any network, at any time or place. The platform requires no add-on hard or software components and is commonly accessed on personal computers or smart phones. Lessons are arranged so that students can digest and study the material at their own pace although a program syllabus and timeline are provided and strictly adhere to the allotted 9-month time frame.

    All courses have automatically graded section pre-test(s) to enhance learning and knowledge acquisition, course section tests, and a final exam at the completion of the program. The program will include handouts, practice exercises, and suggested/required reading materials, practice tests, and a practice simulated VTNE exam as preparation for the real thing.

  • Course: ITVT - Introduction to Veterinary Technology (8 Hours)

    Welcome to the first course at VTNA: Introduction to Veterinary Technology. This course introduces the fundamentals of veterinary technology and its relationship to veterinary practice. Topics discussed include professional ethics, career opportunities, veterinarian-client-patient-relationships, client communication, medical terminology, and medical records.

    Course: APL - Anatomy and Physiology (40 hours)

    Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things. Physiology is the study of the way body parts function—what they do and how they work. This course will discuss the principles of biology, body organization, metabolism of cells, tissues, and organs systems, including the respiratory, digestive, skeletal, muscular, reproductive, genitourinary, and cardiovascular systems. To become a skilled and qualified veterinary technician, the information you'll learn in this course is essential. Understanding the anatomy and physiology of the animals in your care will allow you to communicate with veterinarians and other team members more successfully.

    Course: VNL – Veterinary Nursing and Care (57.5 hours)

    This course is a study of the technical skills of hospital maintenance and disinfection; general patient care; clinical nutrition; medicating animals; exam room techniques; zoonotic diseases; and human health hazards associated with veterinary medicine. Topics discussed in lecture: dog and cat behavior, low stress handling, preventative medicine, neonatal care, diagnostic sampling and techniques, and discussion of euthanasia. Material covered includes the etiology, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and clinical signs of each disease. This course also contains disease/condition-specific nursing care, treatments, or diagnostic test methods for small and large animals.

    Course: PHARM - Pharmacology (49 hours)

    This course provides veterinary technician students with instruction in the study of drugs and medical substances of veterinary medicine. Topics discussed include basics of general pharmacology, mathematic affecting dosage, routes and techniques of drug administration, systems of measurement and conversion, governmental drug agencies, and formulation of drugs. Also discuss are the characteristics, classification, usage, storage, and recordkeeping requirements of drugs used in veterinary medicine.

    Course: LP - Laboratory Procedures (36 hours)

    This course emphasis is placed on microscopy, interpretation of microscopic observations, and laboratory safety. Collection of quality samples, appropriate sample handling and test protocols will be discussed. Laboratory procedures performed will include clinical biochemistry, cytology, hematology, parasitology, and urinalysis.

    Course: ANEST - Anesthesia (25 hours)

    Veterinary anesthesia and analgesia are necessary to satisfy the growing expectations of both the veterinary community and animal owners to optimize health care of our animals in the future. Knowledge of proper anesthetic protocols is vital to your role as a veterinary nurse. This course will focus on preanesthetic equipment and preparation, different anesthetic agents, and inhalation anesthesia. The course will also cover anesthetic equipment, intubation, anesthetic monitoring, electrocardiograms (ECC), patient recovery, and medical calculations that relate to anesthesia and anesthetic monitoring. A critical part of this course is focused on how to handle anesthetic emergencies and the importance of critical problem solving.

    Course: SN - Surgical Nursing (25 hours)

    This course focuses on nursing care of dogs and cats to include fluid therapy principles and procedures, anesthesia monitoring devices and proper use and identification of suture material and patterns. Included are methods for sterilization of surgical equipment, identification of surgical equipment, and procedures for preparing patients and veterinary personnel for surgical procedures and assisting in surgical procedures. Students will all learn the importance of proper aftercare for veterinary surgical patients and client communication.

    Course: DI - Diagnostic Imaging (9 hours)

    This course provides essential information for a veterinary technician to produce diagnostic radiographs. The student will learn how to correctly position a patient, calculate exposure values, expose radiographic film, and process radiographs of diagnostic quality for the veterinarian to examine. Other topics include patient/staff safety, ultrasonography, contrast studies, and digital radiography.

    Course: DENT - Veterinary Dentistry (30.5 hours)

    Teeth and mouths are windows into a pet’s health. This course is an intensive study of modern dentistry techniques for small animals. Components of the course cover different areas and core concepts of veterinary dentistry. This course will guide you through dental anatomy and terminology, history taking and physical examination. It will cover dental pathology and dental prophylaxis. Other lessons will include dental charting, radiography, and exodontics.

    Course: EMCC - Emergency Medicine and Critical Care (17.5 hours)

    This course emphasizes the different aspects of assisting the veterinarian in the management of medical and traumatic emergencies. Recognition and assessment of gastrointestinal emergency, cardiovascular shock, respiratory crisis, and musculoskeletal trauma. Follow the proper protocols for administering fluid therapy and emergency drugs for patients that are in i.e., shock, cardiopulmonary arrest, gastrointestinal crisis, wounds, and fractures, toxicoses, and dystocia. Nutrition of critical care patients. Maintenance of emergency medical equipment and supplies.

    Course: PMA – Pain Management and Analgesia (12 hours)

    This course discusses the importance of animal pain management, providing specific approaches to managing pain in a wide variety of veterinary conditions. Emphasizing the technician's role in advocating for the patient to help manage pain in dogs, cats, horses, and livestock. With information on recognizing and understanding pain, the physiology of pain, pharmacology, and analgesia in different settings.

    Course: VTNEPREP - Veterinary Technician National Exam Preparation (13.5 hours)

    This review course is designed to assist those preparing to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Examination. With emphasis given to each of the nine domains of the exam, the student will receive detailed review material, and many practice questions. Students will also learn about prerequisites for exam eligibility and application procedure, exam layout and structure, and question analysis strategies.

  • All students are required to attain the following to be eligible for graduation and receive a certificate:

    • Maintain a Grade Point Average of 2.0 ©. Students must achieve a 2.0 GPA or above in all courses to continue in the program. Final grades below a 2.0 will result in dismissal from the program.

    • Complete all components of the program.

    • Complete all assignments.

    • Complete task list.

    • Maintain satisfactory progress, as per syllabus timeline.

    • Meet attendance requirements.

  • Tuition cost of the program is $2500. Payments may be made by cash, check, or credit card and payment in full shall be due at time of enrollment.

    Tuition: $2500.00 (payable in full or by installments)

    Tuition covers all the course fees, hand out materials.

    Additional recommended textbooks are not required but can be purchased on the Internet from websites such as Amazon.

    Vet Tech Nursing Academy is not deemed eligible by the US Department of Education to participate in Federal Financial Aid Title IV Programs, nor is it approved by the California Student Aid Commission to participate in the Cal Grant Programs.

  • Students have the right to cancel and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first-class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later. Cancellation shall occur when you give written notice of cancellation at the address of the school; VTNA 616 Broadway El Cajon, California 92021. You may submit a cancellation notice by mail to the above address or hand delivery. The written cancellation if sent by mail, is effective when deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage prepaid.

  • The academy has the right to terminate your enrollment agreement for any of the following reasons:

    • Unsatisfactory academic progress

    • If a student fails to complete the program within the maximum timeframe

    • Unprofessional conduct including aggressive, harassing, or discriminatory acts against other students or employees

    • Failure to meet financial obligations as outlined in the student enrollment agreement.

  • VTNA, without penalty or obligation, shall refund 100% of the amount paid for the program charges, if notice of cancellation is made prior to or on the first day of instruction, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later.

    The refund policy for students who have participated in 60% or less of the listed courses shall be a pro-rated as follows:

    • 100% - Within 7 days of enrollment, no course started.

    • 95% - After beginning Course #1

    • 75% - After beginning Course #2

    • 40% - After beginning Course #3

    • 15% - After beginning Course #4

    • 0% - After beginning Course #5

    The student may reapply for the next alternate route RVT program. This is a one-time only consideration.

    The academy shall process tuition refunds within 45 days following official notice in writing of the student’s withdrawal.

  • VNTA provides student resources through its online portal. The portal provides access to course content, presentations, images, and readings. Students may also find links to selected courses, handouts, and contact information for assistance with tutoring, or additional office hours. The Student Resource Center is located on the VTNA website. www.vettechnursingacademy.com or by going to https://meded-stat.com/product/vet-tech-nursing-academy/ .

  • The Vet Tech Nursing Academy- Alternate Route Program is a private academy that operates and is approved under guidelines established by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary Education pursuant to the California Education Code. This means that the institution and its operation comply with the standards established for occupational instruction by private postsecondary institutions. The Veterinary Technician Alternate Route Program has also been reviewed and certified by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards Registry of Continuing Education (AAVSB RACE), which is the national clearinghouse for the approval of continuing education.

  • The transfer ability of credit to earn at that Vet Tech Nursing Academy (VTNA) is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the certificate you earned in the VTNA; Registered Veterinary Technician Alternate Route Program is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the certificate that you earn at this academy is not excepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all your coursework at that institution. For this reason, you should make certain that your attendance at this academy will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending the VTNA to determine if your certificate will transfer.

    We are unable to accept for transfer any previous credits earned and we are not entered into any transfer agreements with any other college or universities.

  • The VTNA student community consists of working professionals interested in pursuing career advancement and knowledge in veterinary medicine. Therefore, the expectation is that students will conduct themselves in a professional manner that mandates compliance with the rules and regulations of VTNA. Acts of dishonesty such as plagiarism, forgery, alteration or misuse of school documents, records or identification is prohibited. Students must also refrain from the use of indecent, illegal, disruptive language or behaviors. Insubordination of instruction or unreasonable requests of faculty and/or staff will be in direct violation of this student conduct policy and could result in termination from the program.

    GRADING SYSTEM

    All students are expected to progress through the program at a predetermined pace as designated in the syllabus timeline. All students are evaluated on a standard grading scale based upon:

    • Quizzes

    • Assignments

    • Class participation (comments, questions, interactions)

    • Clinical Skills Checklist

    • Review Sessions

    • Off-site Workshops

    • Final exam

    Letter Grade Percentage Grade GPA (4.0 Scale)

    A+ 97-100 4.0

    A 93-96 4.0

    A- 90-92 3.7

    B+ 87-89 3.3

    B 83-86 3.0

    B- 80-82 2.7

    C+ 77-79 2.3

    C 73-76 2.0

    C- 70-72 1.7

    D+ 67-69 1.3

    D 65-66 1.0

    F Below 65 0.0

    * An incomplete grade will revert to a failing grade if not completed by the end of the program.

  • Post-secondary Academic Course Requirement Checklist

    Alternative Route Eligibility

    (a) The post-secondary instruction shall consist of a total of 20 semesters, 30 quarter units or 300 hours of instruction (clock hours) to be accumulated in the fundamentals and principles of the following subjects:

    A. RVT State Exam Requirements VTNA Program Course/Class Hours

    Dental prophylaxis and extractions Dentistry- DENT 30.5 hours

    Anesthetic instrumentation, induction, and monitoring Anesthesia -ANEST 25 hours

    Surgical nursing, assisting and instrumentation Surgical Nursing -SN/Laboratory Procedures/LP- 53 hours

    Suturing techniques Surgical Nursing SN - 4 hours

    Application of cast and splint Animal Nursing and Care ANC - 5 hours

    Radiography and radiation safety Diagnostic Imaging D- 9 hours

    Diseases in animal nursing Animal Nursing and Care-ANC, Pharmacology-PHARM, Pain Management & Analgesia-PNA- 104 hours

    Zoonotic diseases Animal Nursing and Care AN-10 hours

    Emergency veterinary care and IV catheter placement Emergency Medicine and Critical Care EMCC- 17.5 hours

    TOTAL RVT SPECIFIC HOURS 258

    (b) These subjects may be contained within other courses or obtained as separate courses.

    B. General Science Courses VTNA Program Course/Class Hours

    Chemistry Anatomy and Physiology-APL 4 hours

    Math Pharmacology-PHARM 8 hours

    Biology Anatomy and Physiology-APL 5 hours

    Microbiology Laboratory Procedures L- 4 hours

    Anatomy and Physiology Anatomy and Physiology APL - 22.5 hours

    Medical Terminology Intro to Veterinary Technology- ITVT, VTNE Prep-VTNEPREP - 21.5 hours

    GRAND TOTAL OF RVT & GENERAL SCIENCE COURSES 323 hours

    (c) All the instruction in (a) and (b) shall have been completed within five years prior to the date of this examination

    (d) The practical experience shall consist of 4,416 hours and no less than two years under the direct supervision of a California licensed veterinarian and shall have been completed in no less than 24 months and no more than five years prior to completion date of the program in which they are enrolled.

    (e) The directed clinical practice required shall have provided the applicant with knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of communication with clients, patient examinations, emergency procedures, laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, surgical assisting, anesthesia, animal nursing, nutrition, dentistry, animal behavior, and pharmacology. The supervising veterinarian(s) shall complete a checklist attesting to proficiency in specific skill areas with a proceeding categories.

  • Clinical Mentorships are designed to allow the student to document acquisition of technical skills to the level required by VET TECH NURSING ACADEMY (VTNA) program.

    Students will typically document most of the required technical skill tasks at the veterinary facility in which they are employed or with whom they have developed a volunteer or working relationship. The veterinary facility must meet certain basic requirements as they relate to available equipment and supplies. These are described in the logbook for each Clinical Mentorship.

    The type of required documentation is described in detail in the logbooks and may include narrated video recordings, submission of materials produced, or other objective documentation that will be reviewed by VTNA instructors.

  • Clinical skills are categorized into 9 logbooks. The clinical skill logbooks must be completed by the deadline of each course. Below are the clinical skill logbooks and their deadlines will be determined prior to orientation:

    1. Veterinary Nursing and Care-

    2. Laboratory Procedures-

    3. Anesthesia-

    4. Surgical Nursing-

    5. Dentistry-

    6. Emergency Medicine and Critical Care-

    7. Large Animal Restraint & Nursing –

    The following courses must be completed prior to attending the scheduled review session Mandatory In-person Attendance (counts toward 20% of the course grade) for Course Review Session Date TBD before orientation:

    1. Intro to Vet Tech/Nursing-

    2. Animal Anatomy and Physiology-

    3. Veterinary Nursing and Care-

    4. Pharmacology –

    5. Laboratory Procedures-

    6. Anesthesia-

    7. Surgical Nursing-

    8. Diagnostic Imaging-

    9. Dentistry-

    10. Emergency Medicine and Critical Care-

    11. Pain Management & Analgesia –

    12. VTNE Prep Review Class- Friday,

    The following off site workshops are also mandatory in-person sessions. Date, time, and location will be given to students during or after orientation. Students will be informed well in advance to notify employers if there is a need to request time off.

    • Large Animal Workshop-

    • Equine Workshop