Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is designed to give the student hands on experience by working on actual animal cases in a clinical veterinary setting.   Students will be able to gain confidence in their abilities and develop increased proficiency in these clinical rotations.

VT 271 is designed for first year veterinary technology students and is a graduation requirement for the Associates Degree in Applied Sciences in Veterinary Technology. 

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to: 

1. Exhibit professionalism, initiative, positive interpersonal skills, teamwork, respect and integrity in all interactions with staff and clients.

2. Perform basic clinical skills in a realistic and potentially stressful medical environment.

3. Perform duties in a timely and accurate manner while following clinical site protocols. 

4. Identify areas for improvement (in hands on skill and/or knowledge base) through self-reflection and analysis.

This is a four-credit-hour course that meets for twelve lab hours per week. Students are matched to a veterinary hospital or clinic for the course practicum. The match is determined by the course instructor. Each student is expected to attend 120 total hours at the clinical site.  

1. Demonstrate competency and the ability to perform clinical and administrative functions of the clinical site under direct supervision.

2. Receive a satisfactory performance evaluation from their clinical supervisor.

3. Submit the following documents to the course instructor:

• Signed and verified time card showing 120 completed clinical hours

• Scheduled communications per syllabus with the course instructor 

• Self-assessment survey

• Clinical site assessment survey

Clinical Skills: student will practice skills learned in previous courses, including:

1. Nursing, such as preparation and administration of medications by approved routes, filling and dispensing prescriptions, patient monitoring and care, etc.

2. Animal handling, such as safe and effective patient restraint, assessment of fear and anxiety, low-stress restraint techniques, etc.

3. Laboratory, such as performing fecal parasite tests, complete blood counts, urinalyses, etc.

Professionalism and Communication

1. Follow all protocols specific to the clinical site.

2. Adhere to standards of the Oregon Veterinary Practice Act. 

3. Effectively communicate in the professional setting and within the interdisciplinary team.

4. Demonstrate the ability to provide an empathetic and supportive role in patient care and client communication. 

5. Maintain patient medical records and document in a timely and accurate manner.