Unit Menu

  Introduction

  Unit 1 - The Basics of Veterinary Practice
  Unit 2 - Administrative Duties
  Unit 3 - Computers in the Veterinary Practice
  Unit 4 - The Vet Assistant as a Communicator
  Unit 5 - Ethics and Law in the Office
  Unit 6 - Billing / Collecting in the Office
  Unit 7 - Assisting the Vet and Grooming Basics
  Unit 8 - Preparing for Employment
  Final Exam

  Topics in this Unit

  Basics of Veterinary Practice

  Staffing the Practice
  Veterinary Settings
  Time Management
  Cross-Training
  Office Policies and Procedures
  Maintaining a Safe Facility
  Safety Hazards
  Preventing Accidental Injury
  Controlling Infection and Disease
  OSHA Guidelines
  Right-to-know Station
  Office Equipment and Maintenance
  Materials and Supplies
  Want Lists
  Inventory Management
  Activities and Unit Exam

  Student Resources

  Table Of Contents
  Meet Your Instructor
  View Your Transcipts
  Online Resource Links
  Search For A Job
  Class Bulletin Board System
  Unit Texts In Word Format

 

Veterinary Assistant DEMO - Unit 1 - Page 6

Office Policies and Procedures continued The procedure manual should be a thorough, useable group of documents that outline every single procedure used in the practice with explicit instructions as to how that procedure should be performed. Information in the procedure manual might include: daily opening and closing procedures for the facility admission and discharge procedures emergency procedures billing and collections procedures computer system use guidelines procedures for processing lab specimens telephone procedures and techniques An employee should be able to follow a procedure manual and perform a certain skill correctly. The procedure sheets within the manual should not leave any step out for performing the procedure accurately. These manuals are excellent for use in cross-training employees. Maintaining a Safe Facility Safety and cleanliness in a veterinary practice are of paramount importance. One of the most important indicators of cleanliness in the veterinarian's office is a lack of odor. The office should not smell like animals, although those are the patients that are served within the practice. Veterinary Assistants must be familiar with the requirements set forth by the Occupational and Safety Administration (OSHA). The goal of this governmental agency is to promote safety in the workplace. Although OSHA applies to most industries and businesses, it is of special concern to medical offices where employees might be at risk of exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. Sharps containers and biohazard bags must be available to dispose of potentially hazardous materials, including needles and any other item that could pose a risk of infection.