BASIC PRINCIPLES OF HEMATOLOGY AND URINALYSIS
| Course Description |
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The evaluation of blood and urine is a core component of quality medical care. While final evaluation and diagnosis remains solely in the hands of the attending veterinarian, the collection, preparation, and testing of samples is a primary responsibility of the veterinary technician. Improper collection, handling and preparation of samples can render test results questionable or invalid.
An overall understanding of the components of blood and urine, along with normal and abnormal results, is critical for the accurate running and reporting of tests. Basic Principles of Hematology and Urinalysis is designed to help participants improve their knowledge and skill and will help veterinary practices provide high quality laboratory services to their clients and patients.
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| Learning Objectives |
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
- Describe proper urine and blood collection methods
- Illustrate blood film preparation and staining methods
- Recall the function and physical characteristics of all blood cells
- Utilize terminology used to describe abnormal blood cell structure
- Restate some diseases associated with abnormal blood cells
- List the tests and perform a urinalysis using the dry reagent strips
- Demonstrate urine sediment preparation and staining
- Identify cells, crystals and casts contained in urine sediment
- Utilize terminology associated with urinalysis and hematology
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| Course Content |
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This 6 week course covers the basics of hematology and urinalysis. Topics covered in this course are proper methods of sample collection; methods of manual testing; identification of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets; microscopic identification of cells and casts found in urine sediment; terminology; and basic abnormalities.
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| Required Materials |
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All material is contained online - the purchase of additional materials is not required
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| Testimonials |
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...I liked that most of the content covered was in the book and i could go back and re-read the text book.
... I have found the microscopic ua and preparing blood smear slide part of the course very helpful at work.
...I liked looking at the example slides and trying to figure out what they were. This required me to actually use the information i had learned.
...I did like the urinalysis classes the best because there were several things that I have never seen on a urine slide before since I've been working and forgot completely about!
...I really liked the forums regarding the blood film from the golden retriever. It was nice to be able to see where I was when I first started the course and become more confident in identifying the various cells and the changes in them.
...I really enjoyed all the diagrams as well as the simple to read text. When it used any technical medical terms it always defined it as well. It made information very clear to the reader.
...- This course had good descriptions of cells and elements in urine.
- Described the platelets, cells, abnormalities and immature cells in blood well.
- Helped give a better understanding of preparation techniques and what was being viewed under a microscope
- Overall a pretty good course - text wise!
...I liked the pictures that went along with it, because it is really hard to teach what your supposed to be looking at under a microscope without pictures.
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| Student Login Requirements |
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VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in at times convenient to personal schedules.
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| Course Completion Requirements |
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Participants are required to submit numerous graded assignments and to complete multiple examinations.
Participants are expected to spend a minimum of 2 to 4 hours per week working towards course completion – reading the content and submitting completion requirements. Some research outside the course provided readings will be required.
Upon fulfillment of the course requirements, the student will receive a VetMedTeam certificate of completion.
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| Recommended Student Criteria |
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This course is suitable for any member of the practice team seeking to develop a foundation in Hematology and Urinalysis
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| Continuing Education Credits |
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Course meets the requirements for 20 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's RACE approval. However, participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery.
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| Participant Access Parameters |
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Participants may enroll in this course after it has begun, up to the enrollment deadline date. Participants who enroll after the start date do not miss out on any components of the course.
There are no real time sessions.
The design of this course allows each participant to proceed based on individual schedule, as long as all assignments are submitted by the assignment submission deadline
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| Course Writer |
This course has been developed in cooperation with Teton NewMedia, utilizing content from Urinalysis & Hematology for the Small Animal Practitioner by Carolyn A. Sink, MS,MT (ASCP) and Bernard Feldman, DVM, PhD; published by Teton NewMedia; Edition 1, 2004.
The content of this text will be provided as a PDF to participants. If you are interested in purchasing this text for your library visit Teton New Media or do a web search to locate a distributor in your area.
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| Course Instructor |
 Mandy Fults, BS, RVT, CVPP, VTS (Clinical Practice - Canine/Feline)
Mandy graduated from Tomball College with an AAS in Veterinary Technology and received a BS in Agriculture Economics from Texas A&M.
She became a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and received her VTS in Clinical Practice - Canine/Feline.
Mandy is currently the Clinical Care Coordinator for Comanche Trail Veterinary Center in Liberty Hill, TX.
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