10091134Veterinary Technician Pre-Surgery
Course Information
Description
Investigate surgical equipment and procedures; identify instruments, sterile technique processes, and instrument maintenance and operation. Examine anesthetic protocols and equipment. Prepares students for assisting with surgical care of animals.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Select appropriate equipment and instruments to include in veterinary surgical procedures
    Assessment Strategies
    Role-play simulation, Skill Demonstration, Exam
    Criteria
    Identify common veterinary surgical instruments by sight
    Explain the purpose of common veterinary surgical instruments and equipment
    Select proper instruments and supplies to include in small animal orthopedic surgical pack
    Select proper instruments and supplies to include in small animal ophthalmic surgical pack
    Select proper instruments and supplies to include in a large animal emergency surgical pack
    Demonstrate proper use of veterinary surgical instruments and equipment
    Select proper instruments and supplies to include in small animal general surgical pack
    Select proper instruments and supplies to include in small animal soft tissue surgical pack
    Select proper instruments and supplies to include in a large animal general surgical pack
    Develop familiarity with fluid delivery systems

  2. Prepare and maintain sterility of surgical instruments and packs
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration, Exam
    Criteria
    Clean, dry, and lubricate instruments according to best practices
    Clean and fold surgical gowns and drapes according to best practices
    Demonstrate techniques to properly prepare gowns, gloves and drapes for surgical packs
    Organize pack contents and wraps the surgical pack
    Demonstrate proper storage and rotation of surgical packs
    Compare methods of physical sterilization to methods of chemical sterilization
    Use an autoclave according to manufacturer's protocol
    Explain the benefits and limitations of cold sterilization of instruments
    Describe potential consequences of breaks in sterility
    Describe the types of sterilization indicators

  3. Don gown and gloves using aseptic technique
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration, Exam
    Criteria
    Open a sterile surgical pack using sterile technique
    Perform a surgical scrub of the hands and arms
    Don a surgical gown using sterile technique
    Don surgical gloves using sterile open gloving technique
    Don surgical gloves using sterile closed gloving technique
    Assist another person with gowning and gloving using sterile technique

  4. Identify, clean and maintain surgical and anesthetic equipment
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration, Exam
    Criteria
    Identify common veterinary anesthesia equipment
    Identify common used veterinary surgical instruments
    Identify common suture materials, types, and sizes
    Clean anesthetic machine according to manufacturer's protocol
    Disconnect gas supply and anesthetic machine
    Disconnect a simulated patient with an anesthetic machine in an instructor-provided scenario.
    Handle instruments during cleaning process
    Explain type of water and detergents used during the instrument cleaning and drying process
    Explain the process and purpose of ultrasonic instrument cleaning and drying
    Clean surgical instruments by hand
    Use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean instruments according to manufacturer's protocol
    Dry instruments
    Treat instruments with lubricant
    Launder cloth gowns and drapes
    Operate and maintain suction and cautery machines
    Describe the principles of operation and maintenance of fiber optic equipment
    Maintain endoscopic equipment