VETS 250 - Veterinary Clinical Management

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): VETS 115, VETS 120, VETS 131, VETS 132 and BIOL 218 Recommend prior completion of VETS 198 & VETS 183

Restriction(s): None

Corequisite(s): None

This is a business management course for Veterinary Science Technology students. It includes such topics as record keeping, time and stress management, receptionist duties and dealing with difficult clients, both clinical and personal finance, human-animal bond, death and dying, career goals, resume writing, and interviews. State and federal laws are also discussed regarding the veterinary profession, sexual harassment, Right to Know, O.S.H.A., prescription and O.T.C. drugs, and various other legal forms and paperwork necessary in dealing with employees, employers, and clients.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course: Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

Know the requirements and process for applying for a license to practice as a veterinary technician in New York State; other state requirements will be discussed.
Understand how the New York State Veterinary Practice Act governs what procedures may be legally performed by a veterinarian, a veterinary technician, a veterinary assistant, and other employees in a veterinary practice/animal hospital.
Evaluate their personality traits and understand how their personality will effect their co-workers and the work environment.
Understand how co-workers age/generation, ethnic background, religion, and other factors may affect a co-workers expectations in others and produce conflict.
Understand how to deal with conflict situations and how to manage conflict in a productive manner.
Learn how to deal with difficult people and problem behaviors in the work environment.
Understand diversity - learn to appreciate, value, interact, and benefit from different cultures.
Understand the roles of the members of the veterinary healthcare team in a veterinary practice/animal hospital.
Understand the importance of client communications, client education, and ethical client relations
Appreciate the significance of the client-patient relationship as it relates to medical treatment, and interacting with a grieving client.
Understand how the professional code of ethics, and the practice and the individuals employed personal ethics, will allow the practice to work within the professional legal constraints. Also will understand methods used to prevent malpractice and negligence.
Understand sources of stress, methods that can be used to manage stress, and recognize the signs of burnout and compassion fatigue.
Understand what records an animal facility must keep and for how long. Also what records may be shared.
Understand methods of inventorying/tracking supplies used in a facility or dispensed to clients.
Understand the importance of marketing principals and ethics as it relates to advertising a practices services.
Understand the importance of a clearly written resume and interview etiquette.