Author: richard.norman
Last saved by: Johnson, Jennifer G.
Company: Florida Department of Education

2024 – 2025

Florida Department of Education
Curriculum Framework 

Program Title:	Veterinary Assisting
Career Cluster:	Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

CCC
CIP Number | 0301830100
Program Type | College Credit Certificate (CCC)
Program Length | 14 credit hours
CTSO | N/A
SOC Codes (all applicable) | Please see the CIP to SOC Crosswalk located at the link below.
CTE Program Resources | http://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/career-tech-edu/program-resources.stml

Purpose

This certificate program is part of the Veterinary Technology AS (1301830100).  

A College Credit Certificate consists of a program of instruction of less than sixty (60) credits of college-level courses, which is part of an AS degree program and prepares students for entry into employment (Rule 6A-14.030, F.A.C.).

This program offers a sequence of courses that provides coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and careers in the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster; provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources career cluster. 

The content includes but is not limited to animal office procedure; animal pharmacy; animal examination room/area; animal surgical preparation; large and small animal nursing; animal radiography, and employability skills.  

Additional Information relevant to this Career and Technical Education (CTE) program is provided at the end of this document.

Standards

After successfully completing this program, the student will be able to perform the following:

01.0	Demonstrate facility management skills utilizing traditional and electronic media and appropriate veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations. 
02.0	Determine methods to communicate in a professional manner in all formats:  written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic.
03.0	Compare and contrast laws and the veterinary technology profession's ethical codes to provide high quality care to patients.
04.0	Discuss safe and effective methods to administer prescribed drugs to patients.
05.0	Explain prescribed drugs to clients. 
06.0	Demonstrate patient assessment techniques in a variety of animal species.
07.0	Demonstrate husbandry, nutrition, therapeutic and dentistry techniques appropriate to various animal species.
08.0	Integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical procedures in a variety of animal species.
09.0	Provide the appropriate instruments, supplies and environment to maintain asepsis during surgical procedures.
10.0	Produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images.

Florida Department of Education
Student Performance Standards

Program Title:	Veterinary Assisting
CIP Number:		0301830100
Program Length:	14 credit hours

This certificate program is part of the Veterinary Technology AS degree program (1301830100).  At the completion of this program, the student will be able to:
01.0	Demonstrate facility management skills utilizing traditional and electronic media and appropriate veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations. The student will be able to:

01.01	Schedule appointments, admit, discharge and triage according to client, patient and facility needs through phone and in-person contact. 
•	Recognize and respond to veterinary medical emergencies.

01.02	Create and maintain individual client records, vaccination certificates, and other appropriate forms: 
•	develop computer skills.
•	be able to utilize veterinary practice management software.
•	be familiar with veterinary on-line services (e.g., laboratory submissions, client financing plans, continuing education, discussion groups).

01.03	Perform basic filing of medical records, radiographs, lab reports, etc.
01.04	Create and maintain all appropriate facility records and logs in compliance with regulatory guidelines (e.g., radiography, surgery, anesthesia, laboratory, controlled substance).
01.05	Manage inventory control.
01.06	Recognize roles of appropriate regulatory agencies.
01.07	Maintain appropriate disposal protocols for hazardous materials.
01.08	Establish and maintain appropriate sanitation and infection control protocols for a veterinary facility, including patient and laboratory area.
01.09	Handle daily client-based financial transactions.
01.10	Demonstrate an understanding of interpersonal skills and team dynamics.
01.11	Utilize appropriate interpersonal and public relations skills.
01.12	Demonstrate telephone etiquette (e.g., through role playing, educational resources, etc.).
01.13	Recognize the legality of the veterinary-client-patient relationship.
01.14	Develop and provide client education in a clear and accurate manner at a level the client understands (i.e., oral and written form, including educational handouts).
01.15	Apply crisis intervention/grief management skills with clients.
02.0	Determine methods to communicate in a professional manner in all formats:  written, oral, non-verbal, and electronic. The student will be able to:
02.01	Develop basic speaking and active listening skills.
02.02	Develop basic observational skills and related documentation strategies in written and oral form.
02.03	Identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful communication including barriers.
02.04	Respond to verbal and non-verbal cues.
02.05	Compose written communication using correct spelling, grammar, formatting, and confidentiality.
02.06	Use appropriate veterinary medical terminology and abbreviations.
02.07	Recognize the importance of courtesy and respect for patients and other veterinary healthcare workers and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
02.08	Recognize the importance of client educations regarding veterinary healthcare.
02.09	Adapt communication skills to varied levels of understanding and cultural orientation including diverse age, cultural, economic, ethnic, and religious groups.
03.0	Compare and contrast laws and the veterinary technology profession’s ethical codes to provide high quality care to patients. The student will be able to:
03.01	Understand and observe legal boundaries of veterinary health care team members.
03.02	Interact professionally with clients and fellow staff members.
03.03	Demonstrate a commitment to high quality patient care.
03.04	Respect and protect the confidentiality of client and patient information.
04.0	Discuss safe and effective methods to administer prescribed drugs to patients. The student will be able to:
04.01	Recognize the safe and effective manner in which vaccines must be administered; recognize and explain common side effects.
04.02	Demonstrate the ability to accurately record medical information.
04.03	Demonstrate understanding of controlled substance regulations.
04.04	Demonstrate compliance with all federal regulatory guidelines for drug purchase, storage, administration, withdrawal, dispensing, disposal, and inventory control (e.g., biologics and therapeutic agents, pesticides, and hazardous wastes).
05.0	Explain prescribed drugs to clients. The student will be able to:
05.01	Demonstrate understanding of regulations governing maintenance of controlled substances log book.
05.02	Demonstrate compliance with all federal regulatory guidelines for drug purchase, storage, administration, withdrawal, dispensing, disposal and inventory control (e.g., biologics and therapeutic agents, pesticides and hazardous wastes).
06.0	Demonstrate patient assessment techniques in a variety of animal species. The student will be able to:
06.01	Recognize common domestic animal species and breeds.
06.02	Describe and use common animal identification methods.

06.03	Demonstrate effective and appropriate restraint techniques for various animal species:
•	Properly restrain dogs and cats for procedures.
•	Encage and remove small animals from cages.
•	Apply dog muzzle safely.
•	Apply Elizabethan collar.
•	Use restraint pole and other restraint aids.
•	Halter, tie, and lead horses.
•	Restrain birds.
•	Restrain pocket pets and exotics.
•	Restrain cattle and horses.
o	Apply twitch (horses).
o	Apply bovine tail restraint.
o	Apply bovine halter.
•	Restrain sheep and pigs.
•	Load large animals.
•	Safely operate cattle chute.

06.04	Demonstrate the ability to obtain objective patient data:
•	Temperature (dog, cat, horse cow)
•	Pulse (dog cat, horse cow)
•	Respiration (dog, cat, horse, cow)
•	Auscultate heart/lungs (dog, cat, horse, cow)
•	Assess hydration status.

07.0	Demonstrate husbandry, nutrition, therapeutic and dentistry techniques appropriate to various animal species. The student will be able to:

07.01	Grooming:
•	Demonstrate understanding of therapeutic bathing, basic grooming, and dipping of small animals.
•	Trim nails (dog, cat).
•	Trim hooves (ruminant, horse).
•	Apply equine tail and leg wraps.
•	Express canine anal sacs.
•	Clean and medicate ears (dog, cat).
•	Clean sheath (horse).

07.02	Perform microchip scanning and implantation.
07.03	Environmental conditions: implement sanitation procedures for animal holding and housing areas.
07.04	Demonstrate understanding of permanent identification.
07.05	Understand life stage energy and nutrient requirements of well animals (dog, cat, horse, cow).
08.0	Integrate all aspects of patient management for common surgical procedures in a variety of animal species. The student will be able to:
08.01	Properly identify patients and surgical procedures.
08.02	Prepare surgical site using appropriate aseptic techniques.
08.03	Position patient for common procedures.
09.0	Provide appropriate instrument, supplies and environment to maintain asepsis during surgical procedures. The student will be able to:
09.01	Prepare surgical instruments and supplies.
09.02	Prepare gowns, masks, gloves, and drapes.
09.03	Operate and maintain autoclaves.
09.04	Sterilize instruments and supplies using appropriate methods.
09.05	Perform pre-surgical set-up.
09.06	Provide operating room sanitation and care.
09.07	Maintain proper operating room conduct and asepsis.
09.08	Perform post-surgical clean-up (e.g., equipment, instruments, room, proper disposal of hazardous medical waste).
10.0	Produce diagnostic radiographic and non-radiographic images. The student will be able to:
10.01	Implement and observe recommended radiation safety measures.
10.02	Develop and properly utilize radiographic technique charts.
10.03	Position dogs*, cats*, horses*, and birds to create diagnostic images.
10.04	Utilize radiographic equipment to properly radiograph live animals (fixed and portable).
10.05	Process exposed films to create diagnostic radiographic images (automatic, hand, and digital processing).
10.06	Appropriately label, file, and store images.
10.07	Complete radiographic logs, reports, files and records.

Additional Information

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory investigations that include scientific inquiry, research, measurement, problem solving, emerging technologies, tools and equipment, as well as, experimental, quality, and safety procedures are an integral part of this career and technical program/course. Laboratory investigations benefit all students by developing an understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, as well as the skills required to manage, operate, calibrate and troubleshoot equipment/tools used to make observations. Students understand measurement error; and have the skills to aggregate, interpret, and present the resulting data. Equipment and supplies should be provided to enhance hands-on experiences for students.

Special Notes

These skills are transferable to an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Veterinary Technology.

Accommodations

Federal and state legislation requires the provision of accommodations for students with disabilities to meet individual needs and ensure equal access. Postsecondary students with disabilities must self-identify, present documentation, request accommodations if needed, and develop a plan with their counselor and/or instructors. Accommodations received in postsecondary education may differ from those received in secondary education. Accommodations change the way the student is instructed. Students with disabilities may need accommodations in such areas as instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, time demands and schedules, learning environment, assistive technology and special communication systems. Documentation of the accommodations requested and provided should be maintained in a confidential file.