VTEC 1101 - Veterinary Office Management

Course Description

Students are introduced to effective veterinary management skills with a focus on fostering professional communication within a veterinary environment. With both a theoretical and hands-on approach, veterinary technology students will learn how to effectively employ communication strategies through a variety of methods.

Learning outcomes

• Demonstrate proficiency in professional oral and written communication within the veterinary profession.
• Examine the parameters of professional ethics and understand professional association regulations.
• Perform generalized practice management skills within a veterinary office environment.
• Perform basic functions using veterinary practice software.
• Examine stress management and alternative techniques to assist with mental health within the profession.
• Demonstrate the appropriate use of medical records to manage a veterinary hospital, using professional communication.
• Discuss and recognize animal welfare related topics.
• Demonstrate knowledge of proper kennel management and sanitation in a veterinary facility.

Course topics

• Module 1: Professionalism and Communications
• Module 2: Stress Management
• Module 3: Patient Records
• Module 4: Professional Ethics and Associations
• Module 5: Animal Welfare
• Module 6: Practice Management
• Module 7: The Veterinary Facility
• Module 8: Finances
• Module 9: Kennel Management and Hospital Sanitation

Required text and materials

Note: Print versions of the textbooks are strongly recommended for all VTEC courses.

Students will need to source the following required textbooks on their own:

• Samples, O.M. (2026). McCurnin’s Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians (11^th ed.). Elsevier. 
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780323936514

Optional materials

The following textbooks are optional for this course:

• VanAlstyne, J. S. (2004). Professional and Technical Writing Strategies: Communicating in Technology and Science (6^th ed.). Pearson. 
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-13-191520-7
• Studdert, V. P., & Gay, C. C. (2020). Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary (5^th ed.). Elsevier. 
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 978-0-7020-7463-9

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a passing grade of 60% or higher on the overall course and 50% or higher on the mandatory Final Exam.

Prerequisites

Acceptance into TRU Open Learning Veterinary Technology Education Program

Exclusions

• ANHD 1010
• VTEC 1100