Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Description

Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant is the definitive, practical guide to the vital skills and techniques used in daily practice—bringing together all the information necessary to succeed as a veterinary assistant in one reader-friendly volume.  Now in its fourth edition, this classic text has been completely revised to adopt a concise approach to learning that is ideally suited for modern readers. More and improved images, streamlined chapters, and easily-referenced key topics help readers understand the important aspects of real-world practice. Updated chapters cover infectious disease protocols, clinical procedures, and patient care and management. New chapters cover exam and treatment room skills, and present information on small animals, laboratory animals, and large animals. This re-envisioned new edition:  Covers every task and technique that veterinary assistants encounter daily Offers step-by-step guidance for fundamental veterinary skills, procedures, and practices Provides quick and easy reference to a comprehensive range of central topics Uses a new, larger page size to better fit content and enhance searching for information when on the job Includes access to a companion website presenting instructor resources, skills evaluations, and PowerPoint slides Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant, Fourth Edition continues to be the definitive text for trainee and practicing veterinary assistants in clinical, laboratory, or research settings. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Preface Acknowledgments About the Companion Website Chapter 1 Professional Conduct and Foundation Skills Determining Your Role in a Veterinary Practice Meeting Employer Expectations – 10 Behaviors to Master Professional Appearance Effective Communication Skills Within the Veterinary Practice Verbal Communication Non-verbal Communication Client Communication Written Communication Computer Competency Use and Misuse of Social Media Determining Credible Web Sources Anticipation of Workflow Application of Veterinary Ethics Human–Animal Bond Grief Process Foundation Skills – Veterinary Practice Math and Medical Terminology Basic Math Used in the Veterinary Practice Estimating Volume Measurements – Dilutions Drug Calculation Medical Terminology Chapter 2 Laws, Policies, and OSHA Standards Affecting Veterinary Practice Laws and Regulations for Veterinary Practices Federal Laws State Laws Common or Case Law Local Ordnances Guidelines of Practice from Veterinary Organizations Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Workplace Safety Labeling Personal Protection Equipment Chapter 3 Veterinary Business Protocols Front Office Skills Telephone Skills Scheduling Appointments Handling Non-Client Calls Client Interactions at the Facility Arrivals Admitting Patients Discharging Clients Veterinary Medical Record Keeping Procedures Computerized Versus Paper Patient Records Paper Patient Record Assembly Paper Filing Systems Chronological Order or SOAP File Format Transferring Medical Records Forms, Certificates, and Logs Day’s End Protocols Inventory Control Daily Inventory Control Ordering Supplies Receiving Shipments Handling Shipments and Invoices Restocking Shelves Chapter 4 Facility and Equipment Maintenance – Cleaning for Disease Control Basic Cleanliness and Orderliness Cleaning Disinfecting Hospital Waste – Non‐Hazardous versus Hazardous Cleaning Techniques When Caring for Hospitalized Animals Order of Cleaning Facility Maintenance Hospital Laundry Equipment Maintenance Chapter 5 Anatomy and Physiology “Speaking” Anatomy Body Systems Skeletal System Muscular System Cardiovascular System Respiratory System Immune System Digestive System Urinary System Reproductive System Nervous System Endocrine System Integumentary System Suggested Reading Chapter 6 Introduction to Animals Scientific Classification of Animals Phenotypes Introduction to Genetics Breeds of Animals Herding Group Hound Group Non-Sporting Group Sporting Group Terrier Group Working Group Toy Group Cat Breeds Pocket Pets Determining the Sex of Companion Animals Chapter 7 Feeds and Feeding Essential Nutrients –The Basics Understanding Pet Food Labels Learning to Read Labels List of Ingredients Adequacy Statement Feeding Guidelines Dry Matter Basis Application of Basic Nutrition Calorie Requirements How Much to Feed Prescription Diets Feeding the Hospitalized Patient Water Availability and Consumption Feeding Livestock and Poultry Feeding Other Species References Suggested Reading Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals Restraint of Companion Animals Patient Defenses Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Companion Animals Utilize Fear Free Techniques Safely Moving Patients from One Location to Another General Restraint Techniques for Dogs and Cats Restraint for Examinations, Medications, and Procedures Restraint Equipment Restraint of Pocket Pets Restraint of Pet Birds Restraint of Livestock Assessing Behavior and Safely Approaching Livestock Restraint Techniques for Horses and Livestock Reference Suggested Reading Chapter 9 Knots and Ropes Knot Tying Terminology Types of Ropes Prevent Fraying Hanking a Rope Types of Knots and Hitches Types of Knots Hitches Suggested Reading Chapter 10 Management of Hospitalized and Boarding Pets Housing Requirements – Kennel Set‐up Water and Food Consumption – Elimination Environmental Considerations Socialization and Exercising Hospitalized Patients Patient Care Based on Reason for Being in the Hospital Boarding Surgical Patients Recumbent Patient Care Constipated Patients – Enemas Contagious Patients Feral and Quarantine Animal Housing Pocket Pets and Birds Treatments and Procedures Medical Records Understanding the Disease Process Treatment Plan Protocols In-hospital Grooming Combing and Brushing Clipping Hair or Fur Identifying Ectoparasites Bathing and Dipping Collection of Fecal and Urine Samples Pain Evaluation and Monitoring Discharging Patients Veterinary Hospice Care Euthanasia and Post Mortem Protocols After the Euthanasia Reference Suggested Reading Chapter 11 Clinical Techniques Toenail Trimming Clipping Birds’ Wings Expressing Anal Glands Administration of Medications Ear Cleaning and Medicating Topical Medications Oral Medications Ophthalmic Medications Syringes and Needles Preparing Syringe and Needle for Use Solution Bottle Preparation Preparing Vaccines Injections Subcutaneous Injections Subcutaneous Fluid Administration Intramuscular Injections Intranasal Infusion Monitoring IV Fluid Administration and IV Catheter Maintenance Wound Care and Bandaging Apply a Simple Bandage Bandage Failure Bandage Removal Emergency Support Maintenance of Crash Cart Kit or Emergency Station Suggested Reading Chapter 12 Laboratory Skills Maintenance of Stain Sets Staining Protocol Laboratory Log Book Maintenance of the Common Laboratory Equipment in the Veterinary Lab Binocular Microscope Centrifuge Refractometer Sample Collection Parasitology Blood Collection and Handling Equipment Set-up Blood Sample Handling Blood Chemistry and Electrolyte Determinations Serologic Test Kits Urine Collection Microbiology – Sample Collection Necropsy: Preparation and Follow‐Up Preparing Samples for Shipment to Reference Laboratory Vaginal Cytology Collection Chapter 13 Pharmacy Skills Controlled Drugs Reading a Prescription Labeling a Prescription Container Safe Handling of Dispensed Drugs Prescription Packaging Explaining Prescriptions to the Owner Classification of Medications Suggested Reading Chapter 14 Surgical Room Skills Cleaning and Maintaining the Surgery Suite Gas Anesthesia Machine Cleaning the Surgical Instruments Assembling Surgical Packs Cold Sterilization Surgery Skills and Maintaining an Aseptic Environment Pre-Surgical Phase Peri-Surgical Phase Post-Surgical Phase Post-Surgical Emergencies Client Communication Removing Sutures Reference Chapter 15 Dental Skills for the Veterinary Assistant Assistant’s Role in Veterinary Dentistry Dental Anatomy Dental Terminology Directional Terms Dental Formulas Age Approximation Based on Dental Eruption Head Type Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Maintenance Preparation of Dental Instruments Sharpening Hand Instruments Power Scalers Selection of the Correct Handpiece Tip Air-Driven Dental Units Dental Prophylaxis Polishing Follows Dental Cleaning Charting the Oral Examination Triadan Numbering System Anatomical Numbering System Charting Symbols Basics of Pocket Pet Dentistry Dental Formula for Pocket Pets Ferret Dentition Hedgehog Dentition Intraoral Radiography Patient Positioning for Dental Radiography Manual Developing of Dental Radiographs Patient Care and Clean‐up Client Education Daily Dental Care Dental Patient Discharge Instructions Suggested Reading Chapter 16 Diagnostic Imaging and Endoscopy Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging Digital Radiography Advanced Imaging Technologies Quality Assurance Radiation Safety Radiography Abbreviations Radiography Procedure Radiography Log Measuring the Anatomy with Calipers Setting Exposure Factors Using the Technique Charts Cassette Selection Film Labeling Taking a Radiograph Developing Radiographic Film Cassette Routine Maintenance Patient Film Filing Darkroom Maintenance Checking for Light Leaks Processor Maintenance Diagnostic Ultrasonography Set-up for Ultrasonography Endoscopy Introduction to Endoscopy Parts of an Endoscope Endoscopy Preparation Endoscopy: Post Procedure Gas Sterilization Cold (Liquid) Sterilization End of Procedure Cleaning References Suggested Reading Appendix: Suffixes, Prefixes, and Anatomic Terms (Roots) Glossary Index EULA