Veterinary Technology

Students must:

• successfully complete the prescribed sequence of courses
• achieve a minimum of 2.0 in their core courses
• achieve a minimum of 2.0 overall
• be recommended by the department faculty

The Admissions and Performance Standards discussed below define performance expectations that must be met for successful completion of the veterinary technology program at Alfred State College. It is the policy of Alfred State College to provide reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need an accommodation due to a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Learning Center office at (607) 587-4122. Some accommodations may require up to six weeks to prepare. For progression in the veterinary technology program, students are expected to meet the following performance standards:

• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking sufficient for clinical judgment. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations. Develop nursing care plans. Demonstrate problem solving skills. Adapt to stressful situations.
• Interpersonal - Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with patients, clients, families &groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural & intellectual backgrounds. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Establish rapport with patients/clients & colleagues. Recognize appropriate boundaries in relationships with patients/clients & colleagues.
• Communication - Communication abilities for interaction with others orally & in writing. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document & interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses. Team building skills.
• Mobility - Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room, maneuver in small spaces & provide assistance to patients. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Move around in patient & treatment areas. Administer CPR. Provide physical assistance to clients & colleagues to ensure safety within the environment. Ability to prevent or escape injury caused by animals (e.g., biting, kicking, stampeding)
• Motor Skills - Gross & fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe, effective nursing care in a timely manner. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Use of instruments, supplies, safety devices and communication equipment in the care of patients. Performance of nursing care, surgical assistance, & laboratory techniques.
• Hearing - Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Auditory ability sufficient to hear ausculatory sounds, monitor alarms, monitor and assess health emergency signals, and cries for help. Hear needs. warning sounds from animals and humans of impending danger/injury.
• Visual - Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Observe patients for expected and unexpected physical and emotional responses to nursing and medical treatment regimens. Use of diagnostic equipment such as a microscope, thermometer, refractometer, etc ...
• Tactile - Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment and to perform nursing duties in a timely manner. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Perform palpation functions of physical exam. Administer oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, & intravenous medications. Insert and remove tubes and perform wound care management. Surgical assistance.
• Physical Condition - Physical ability and stamina sufficient to restrain, lift, & assist in the care of a variety of species of animals. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Ability to withstand extreme weather conditions. Immune system competence. Some examples of necessary activities (not all-inclusive): Safely lift, position, and restrain animals and supplies for treatment. Surgical assistance. Daily clinical routine. Year round treatment and care of outdoor animals. Exposure to a wide range of chemical and biological agents.