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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation
Major: 5960
Effective Term: 2023 Fall   

Award: CCL  
Total Credits: 18
CIP Code: 01.8301
Instructional Council: Agriculture/Equine Science
GPA: 2.0
SOC Code: Upon completion of this certificate, students may pursue a career as:
31-9096.00 Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers
39-2021.00 Nonfarm Animal Caretakers


Description: The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Veterinary Assisting prepares students for introductory careers in veterinary medicine and animal health which require basic knowledge and skills involving animal care and management, veterinary medical care, and client communications and service.

Learning Outcomes
1. Participate in business and facility management by creating, maintaining, and filing appointment schedules, patient/client records, financial records, logs and inventory records, and by demonstrating effective client communication skills. (VET103, VET109, ENG101, ENG107, (COM))
2. Utilize medical terminology in verbal and written communications and explain the principles of ethics and legal issues in veterinary technology. (VET101, VET101LL, VET103, VET104, VET109)
3. Utilize computers and computer software programs to facilitate creation, storage, and retrieval of data files. (VET103, VET109)
4. Assist in collection of clinical laboratory specimen for analysis, including hematology, urinalysis, blood chemistry, hemostasis, serology, cytology, parasitology, and necropsy. (VET104, VET109)
5. Compare and contrast the basics of anatomy and physiology of common domestic animals, and apply that knowledge to performing common clinical procedures and treatments. (VET104, VET109)
6. Perform proper techniques of basic husbandry, restraint and handling, and assist in small animal nursing and exam room procedures. (VET101, VET101LL, VET103, VET109)
7. Assess life-stage nutritional requirements for well animals, identify common feeds and feeding practices, and effectively communicate the special nutritional requirements and feeding of diseased animals. (VET101, VET101LL, VET103, VET109)
8. Demonstrate proper use and maintenance of veterinary diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic equipment. (VET104, VET109)
9. Identify therapeutic drugs, vaccines, and supplements used in veterinary medicine, and effectively communicate their mechanisms, common uses, side effects, and regulatory considerations. (VET103, VET104, VET109)
10. Recognize legal issues associated with pharmaceuticals, fill prescriptions, and perform inventory control. (VET104, VET109)
11. Assist the veterinary technician and/or veterinarian in the completion of diagnostic radiographs and ultrasound including restraining and positioning of patients and observing safety standards. (VET104, VET109)
12. Assist in the surgical preparation of the patient, set up of the surgery suite, and maintain asepsis. (VET104, VET109)
13. Maintain surgical instruments and operating room sanitation and care. (VET104, VET109)
Program Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.


Required Courses
COM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3) OR
COM110 Interpersonal Communication (3) OR
+ COM225 Public Speaking (3) OR
COM230 Small Group Communication (3) 3

+ ENG101 First-year Composition (3) OR
+ ENG107 First-year Composition for ESL(3) 3

+ VET101 Introduction to Veterinary Technology 3
+ VET101LL Animal Care Skills I Laboratory 2
VET103 Veterinary Assisting I 3
+ VET104 Veterinary Assisting II 3
+ VET109 Veterinary Assisting Internship 1
 Credits: 18

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: November 24, 2020

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.





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