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The VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program (VMTVAP) is approved by NAVTA for the training of assistants and qualifies graduates to take the Approved Veterinary Assistant (AVA) designation exam. In addition, the program articulates for college credit at a number of the AVMA accredited technology programs.
Why Formal Training for Veterinary Assistants?
The veterinary assistant (VA) is a vital member of the practice team. The primary responsibility of the VA is to support the practice's credentialed technicians and veterinarians so that they may perform their tasks quickly and efficiently, providing the highest level of care for patients.
For more information regarding the roles of the members of the practice team please download this pdf document The Veterinary Healthcare Team
VAs cannot reach their full potential without a strong foundation of both instructional and skills training. An added benefit of a well-trained and empowered VA is job satisfaction and a decrease in employee turnover. For most practices, setting up an in-house VA training program is difficult due to time and personnel restraints. Historically, the VA has been trained "on the job" but that method of training leaves gaps in knowledge and does not allow the VA to learn a large number of needed skills. Often the credentialed technician or veterinarian performs tasks that could otherwise be handled by the VA if appropriate training was provided.
Why Not Just Learn From a Textbook?
The VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program is designed specifically for working VAs. It combines both core content covering all areas of assistant responsibility, extensive practical assignments designed to help the participant absorb and utilize the new knowledge, examinations to help pinpoint areas needing further work, and skills check lists to confirm the ability to perform hands-on VA tasks. This combination of instructional features is designed to provide a well-rounded education in all areas of the practice.
But What About the Practice's Role in Training?
VetMedTeam believes that it is vitally important for the practice to be involved during the training process. A clinical mentor, a credentialed technician or veterinarian, works with the student, utilizing the skills checklists, to provide skills training and verification. This requirement allows the practice to be part of the training team.
Is Employment as a VA Required to Participate?
Students are required, without exception, to be employed a minimum of 20 hours per week. The prospective student must perform the work of a veterinary assistant in a practice which provides full medical care to clients with privately owned animals.
Shadowing, volunteering, or working as a receptionist or a kennel assistant will not provide the needed hands-on experience required to complete the course. Those employed in animal shelters, spay/neuter clinics, or volunteering at either, do not fall within the guidelines.
Experienced Assistants: VAs with 5 or more years experience as a veterinary assistant may qualify for the "fast-track" Experiential Learner program option. For more information use this link VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program: Experiential Learner.
OK - How Does This All Work?
Sections of this page provide more in-depth informaton regarding the program and its features and benefits. If you have any questions about the program please do not hesitate to let us know via an email to va_program@vetmedteam.com.
PLEASE NOTE: This course contains flash based Articulate presentations. iPhones and iPads are not natively flash compatible but if a flash compatible browser has been installed on the iPad the presentations will play correctly. This link Flash on iPads provides information on flash compatible browsers. The presentations may also be viewed on a Mac. |
The VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program contains 9 modules. The first module will provides a solid foundation to help enhance performance in the remaining modules. Every area of the veterinary practice is explored from the reception area to the surgical suite. Each module will discuss a different topic which will afford the veterinary assistant with the knowledge and practical skills needed to perform their job effectively. |
The purchase of additional materials is not required. All content is contained online within the program. |
...Course layout was clear,objectives were clear and Units were well written along with their assignments
...I was taking my hands on knowledge and expanding on it.
... I enjoyed being able to apply what I was learning in the course to my job. It was also nice to be able to have my mentors allow me to learn new things (that they may not have considered before) as they were needed for me to complete the course, thus expanding my knowledgebase. The videos were the best resource of information, but would have been nicer to have actual material available to read and not just listen to.
...I enjoyed the accessibility of the course material and the way the website is designed. Very easy to navigate! I also liked being able to see my exam marks right away. Another plus was the use of so many pictures in the course presentations. I am a visual learner so I really appreciated seeing images on almost every slide.
... I actually enjoyed unit 9 the most. I recently was nominated to do all of the drug and supply ordering at my clinic, know ing what the drugs were, what kind of drugs they are and what they are used for has helped me tremedously at work.
... The aspects of the course i liked the best and were the most beneficial to me where the module on radiology, and module 9, however I did get a better understanding on things from each module. Even though I have worked at a vet clinic for almost 8 yrs there are always new things to learn or old things and ways of doing things that need improvement. Thanks. |
The VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program is both "on demand" and asynchronous. Participants may enroll at any time. As the program does not contain real time components, students do not need to be online at specific times. Instead, participants log in at times convenient to personal schedules.
Participants will have 8 months to complete from the date of enrollment.
PLEASE NOTE: This course contains flash based Articulate presentations. iPhones and iPads are not natively flash compatible but if a flash compatible browser has been installed on the iPad the presentations will play correctly. This link Flash on iPads provides information on flash compatible browsers. The presentations may also be viewed on a Mac. |
Participants are required to submit numerous graded assignments, to complete multiple examinations and to submit completed skills checklists.
Upon fulfillment of the course requirements, the student will receive a VetMedTeam certificate of completion.
Students who wish to sit the AVA examination will be provided an enrollment code. Those who wish to articulate will be provided a transcript. |
Employment Requirement: Students are required (no exceptions) to be employed a minimum of 20 hours per week actively as an assistant. The prospective student must perform the work of a veterinary assistant in a practice which provides full medical care to clients with privately owned animals. Shadowing, volunteering, or working as a receptionist or a kennel assistant will not provide the needed hands-on experience required to complete the course. Those employed in animal shelters, spay/neuter clinics, or volunteering at either, do not fall within the guidelines.
Clinical Mentor: Each student will be required to submit one or more Clinical Mentor Agreements. A clinical mentor is a credentialed technician (CVT, RVT or LVT) or a veterinarian who will work with the student during the performance of program mandated hands-on tasks. The clinical mentor signs off the tasks listed on each of the module skills checklists.
Experienced Assistants: VAs with 5 or more years experience as a veterinary assistant may qualify for the "fast-track" Experiential Learner program option. For more information use this link VetMedTeam Veterinary Assistant Program: Experiential Learner. |
Modules have been written by:
Joseph A. D’Abbraccio, LVT - St. Matthew’s University SVM Class of 2012
Chery Kendrick, DVM, MPVM (zoonotics), ASCP, MLT
Patricia Telschow, BS, LVT |
 Linda Merrill, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
Linda received her AS degree in veterinary technology and an AA degree from Pierce College in Washington State. She is currently working in a small animal practice and cardio-pulmonary specialty practice.
She has written numerous professional publications for the “The NAVTA Journal” and “Veterinary Technician Magazine”. Linda is the former President of the Washington State Association of Veterinary Technicians and former President of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America (NAVTA). Linda’s latest accomplishments are acting as the Founding Chair of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians (AIMVT) where she is the current Executive Director. Linda has also conducted speeches for the ACVIM, AVMA, and NAVTA in various forums.
In her spare time, Linda is an avid scuba diver, enjoys motorcycle riding, and has traveled the 7 continents. Her husband, Jeff, is employed in the Alaskan seafood industry. They enjoy the company of their 2 cats – an adorable but clueless Persian named Raymond and an ambidextrous mischief maker named Audrey. Her household is also the home to 2 dogs. Linda loves Corgis and currently has the sweetest boy named Cody. The "too smart for her own good" Husky mix named Sally completes the Merrill home. All four are wonderful rescues. |
Price: $691.00
This program runs continuously - students may enroll at any time. |
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