Veterinary Assistant Certificate
The Sitting Bull College Veterinary Assistant certificate program is designed to prepare students as an assistant to a Veterinarian and/or Veterinary Technician. Students will complete the program with competencies that apply to veterinary ethics and professionalism, animal anatomy and physiology, terminology, animal care activities, technology, and equipment uses.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:
1. Demonstrate effective client communication skills while demonstrating professional conduct and using appropriate veterinary medical terminology.
2. Perform front desk duties such as using veterinary practice management software to schedule appointments, answer basic client questions, create, retrieve, and file medical records, admit and discharge patients, properly obtain and record consent forms, and consistently demonstrate ethical conduct.
3. Identify the normal anatomy and common pathologies for each species and each body system and incorporate critical thinking skills when collecting patient data and performing patient care.
4. Identify potential zoonotic diseases and appropriate isolation and disinfection procedures.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous waste handling and of OSHA regulations and current drug enforcement laws.
6. Perform basic procedures such as recording of vital signs and basic grooming techniques.
7. Prepare patients and assist the veterinary technician or veterinarian with proper patient restraint for examination, procedures, or diagnostic imaging.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of basic animal behavior and the Human-Animal bond
9. Provide basic nursing to sick or surgical patients
10. Perform maintenance of hospital equipment such as radiology equipment, surgical and sterilizing equipment, laboratory devices, and treatment area equipment.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 150 | General Biology I | 4 |
| HPER 210 | First Aid/CPR/AED | 2 |
| MATH 102 | Intermediate Algebra | 4 |
| VET 111 | Introduction to Veterinary Medicine | 2 |
| VET 112 | Pharmaceutical Calculations | 1 |
| VET 113 | Introduction to Veterinary Hospital Management | 1 |
| VET 115 | Medical Terminology | 1 |
| VET 118 | Clinical Sampling & Laboratory Procedures | 2 |
| VET 120 | Anatomy & Physiology of Domestic Animals | 3 |
| VET 122 | Veterinary Nursing I | 4 |
| VET 194 | Veterinary Assistant Practicum I | 3 |
| VET 195 | Veterinary Assistant Practicum II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |