VTEC 2713 - Veterinary Technology Surgical Assistant

Course Description

Students develop a practical understanding of the principles and techniques of sterility, surgical instruments, operating room conduct and the role of the veterinary technologist in a surgical setting. Topics include cleaning and maintenance, surgical pack preparation, suturing, fluid rates and requirements, and per and post-operative considerations. Students implement surgical principles and techniques within the operating room.

Learning outcomes

• Recognize the principles of asepsis and apply them appropriately
• Operate an autoclave and explain its role and purpose in preparing equipment for surgical procedures
• Identify surgical instruments and explain their function, as well as proper procedures for cleaning and maintenance
• Demonstrate personnel, patient and surgical pack preparation
• Identify suture material, needles and demonstrate suture patterns
• Calculate fluid rates and discuss fluid requirements for patients
• Discuss pre and post-operative considerations for surgical patients
• Describe surgical procedures for canine and feline ovariohysterectomy (OVH) and castration
• Demonstrate competency in the practical surgical assistant skills of a veterinary technologist in an operatory suite
• Maintain accurate patient records and logs for surgical patients
• Effectively communicate verbal and written home care instructions with clients
• Calculate fluid rates and demonstrate the operation of the fluid pimp machine

Course topics

• Module 1: Surgical Suite, Physical Plant & Maintenance 
• Module 2: Asepsis
• Module 3: Surgical Packs and Instruments
• Module 4: Preparation of OR Personnel
• Module 5: Patient Preparation & Draping
• Module 6:  Personnel Roles 
• Module 7:  Sutures – Materials, Needles and Selection
• Module 8: Pre-op & Post-op Considerations
• Module 9:  Fluids
• Module 10: Selected Surgical Procedures

Required text and materials

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

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

• Tear, M. (2022). Small animal surgical nursing (4^th ed). Elsevier.
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780323759137 / 9780323764858

Note: This item can be purchased directly from the following VitalSource link.

The following textbook would have been purchased in VTEC 1101. Students who did not take VTEC 1101 and/or don't already own the required textbook, will need to purchase it. 

• Bassert, J. M. (2022). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for veterinary technicians (10th ed.). Elsevier.
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780323722001

Additional Resources:

Students may also find the following resource useful for looking up any terms in the course with which are not familiar:

• Aiello, S. E., & Moses, M. A. (Eds.). (2016). The Merck veterinary manual 11th ed.). Merck & Co.
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9780911910612 (This textbook is available online at: Merck Manual, Veterinary Manual)

Required Lab Equipment (at the placement location):

1. Camera and tripod
2. Gravity displacement autoclave
3. Standard surgical instruments
4. Ultrasonic cleaner
5. Surgical drapes (paper and/or linen) and steripeel
6. Huck towels
7. Microchip scanner and microchip
8. Infusion pump
9. Surgical prep solutions and scrubs

Additional requirements

Students will also need the following:

• A computer with Internet Access
• A video recording device

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 60% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory exam.

Prerequisites

VTEC 1243 with a minimum grade of C;

and

VTEC 1211 with a minimum grade of C

Exclusions

ANHD 2120

VTEC 2260