Heritage Catalog 2014

Transcription

1 Heritage Catalog Spectrum Pointe, Suite 101 Lake Forest, CA Office (949) Fax: (949) Website: E mail: info@vetassistant.com 1

2 Heritage College 21 Spectrum Pointe, Suite 101 Lake Forest, CA Office (949) Fax: (949) Website: E mail: info@vetassistant.com Hours of Operation The Business and Admissions office is open Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m, 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00-12:00 p.m. Additional business hours can be arranged by appointment Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Location of Classes: All classes are taught at the Lake Forest Main Campus location with occasional offsite labs at Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Foothill Ranch, Towne Centre Drive, Foothill Ranch, CA Externships: The location of externships will be disclosed by the second week of class for the Veterinary Attendant Program. For the Veterinary Assistant program, externships are generally done at your current employment location. These locations must be approved by Heritage. Catalog Publishing Information: January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 Publish date: December 30,2013 volume 43. All stated requirements and policies herein apply to those students enrolling in the Veterinary Attendant, Veterinary Assistant, and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate programs for the duration of each attendance period assigned for the specific program. The schedule outlining the intended period of attendance for each program and the fees for each program are listed in the accompanying addendum to this catalog. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement. Heritage has never filed for bankruptcy petition, operated as a debtor in possession or had a petition of bankruptcy filed against it under Federal law. 2

3 You Love Animals.. Make Your Dream a Reality It s Easier than You Think At Heritage you will learn about the art, culture, and science of veterinary medicine and technology. Veterinary Assistants, Attendants, and Registered Veterinary Technicians play a vital role in the support services of veterinary hospitals. Imagine yourself as an important member of this team making a difference in the lives of pets every day. Heritage is designed to help you achieve your goals with convenient afternoon and evening classes. Our enthusiastic staff, spacious classrooms, and technologically advanced teaching methods provide an informative and challenging experience for everyone; from those joining a veterinary team for the first time, to those seeking advancement in their present careers. Focusing on Your Future 3 Certificate Programs The 3-month Veterinary Attendant Program teaches the basics of veterinary nursing. Veterinary attendants work closely with animals by restraining, feeding and caring for veterinary patients, and by assisting doctors and technicians with basic diagnostic tests. The positions attendants can fill include technician s assistant, veterinary receptionist, and/or kennel attendant. Veterinary attendants hold entry-level positions, and with experience, can quickly become veterinary assistants. After completion of this program you will receive job placement assistance. The 12-month Veterinary Assistant Program is open to those currently working in animal hospitals who are interested in advancing their knowledge in veterinary technology. Graduates of the Veterinary Assistant Program with 2 years of experience working full time under the direction of a California-licensed veterinarian are eligible to enter into the final semester of the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program to complete the necessary course work to take the California RVT licensure exam under the Alternate Route Category. The 4- month Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program is open only to Veterinary Assistant Program graduates who, upon completion, will be awarded the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Certificate. Veterinary Technician Candidates apply for licensing to the California Veterinary Medical Board RVT committee. Once licensed, an RVT is able to perform more duties and can pursue specialization in anesthesia, dentistry or critical care. 3

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Hours of Operation 2 School Address and Contact Information 2 School Schedule with Holidays and Breaks 5 Mission Statement 6 School Ownership and History 6 Facilities 6 Equipment and Resources 6 Student Services- Tutoring, Educational Resources, Housing, and Job Placement 7 Student Conduct Policy 7 Which Program is Right for You? 8 Application Process and Requirements 8-9 Notice Concerning Transferability Of Units And Degrees Into The School 9 Notice Concerning Transferability Of Units And Degrees Earned At Our School 9 Admission Standards 9 Faculty 10 Veterinary Attendant Program 11 Veterinary Assistant Program Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program 14 Student Assessment and Grading Policy 15 Attendance Policy 15 Satisfactory Academic Progress 15 Academic Probation Policy Incomplete and Failing Grades, Course Failure and Withdraw Readmission Policy 18 Pre-Enrollment Disclosures 19 Tuition Payment Policies 20 Student Tuition Recovery Fund 20 Student s Right to Cancel 21 Withdrawal from the Program 21 Directions to the Campus 22 For Current Course Schedule and Tuition and Fees, please see the accompanying Addendum to this catalog. 4

5 School Schedule The schedules for all classes are in the 2014 Addendum to the School Catalog. All schedules are subject to change prior to enrollment School Holidays 2014 Winter Break No classes December 22,2013-January 5, 2014 Memorial Day No classes May 26, June 1, 2014 Summer Break No classes June 30, 2014 July 5, 2014 Labor Day No classes August 29, 2014-September 4, 2014 Thanksgiving Week No classes November 24, 2014 November 29, 2014 Winter Break No classes December 22, 2014 January 3, 2015 Memorial Day No classes May 22, May 28, 2015 Summer Break No classes June 29, 2015-July 4, 2015 Labor Day No classes September 4, 2015 to September 10, 2015 Thanksgiving Week No classes November 23, 2015 November 28, 2015 Winter Break No classes December 21, 2015 to January 2, 2016 Distance Learning Class Option The Veterinary Assistant and the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate programs are also available via distance learning. Objectives: The objectives for these programs are the same as for the onsite class. Program Length: The Program length is the same as the onsite class. The semesters follow the same dates as the onsite classes. You will also receive the same amount of credit for each course as the onsite class. Graduation Requirements: The graduation requirements are the same as the onsite classes. Equipment Requirements: In addition to the textbooks required for each program, you must have a computer with a reliable internet connection and will be responsible for having your own account. You need to have Windows XP or Vista, and Microsoft Word 2003 or later. Program Delivery: The program will be taught online using lectures (narrated PowerPoint presentations), video clips, and handout material. You will view the lectures online for one week, participate in the online discussion forum, and then take quizzes online each week. You are required to come to the main campus approximately three (3) times during each semester: 1. Orientation day - 1 st week of each semester 2. Lab day - an 8-hour long day that may include a mid-term exam and hands on lab exercises. 3. Final exam on the last day of class. This exam will be paper-based. Attendance will be documented by the following method: You must complete the in-class assignment and it to the instructor FOR EACH COURSE. An instructor will answer your questions or direct you to the proper resource and then feedback and your score for the assignment. You will receive your score and feedback within 24 hours of the due date. 5

6 Our Mission Statement Heritage is a private vocational school dedicated to: Professionally educate veterinary assistants and veterinary attendants. Provide alternate route courses in one comprehensive location, or via distance learning, for on-the-job trained veterinary technician candidates who seek licensure in the state of California. Increase the quality of care provided by the veterinary medical field in California Elevate the status and value of veterinary technicians, assistants, and attendants. Dedicated to Our Profession Your instructors and guest lecturers will be Veterinarians, Registered Veterinary Technicians, and/or Veterinary Practice Consultants with up-to-date knowledge and practical skills. Our Commitment to You We use presentations, videos and models in an interactive setting to help you build the skills necessary to provide care to animals, communicate effectively with pet owners and enjoy a career as a valuable member of the veterinary hospital team. Small class size and personalized instruction in this veterinary-only teaching facility make Heritage the place to get started in a rewarding career helping animals. Ownership and History Professional Veterinary Assistant School was originally founded in Garden Grove, CA in June 2002, by the school s founder Sheri Candeletta, DVM. At that time, the school offered the Veterinary Assistant certificate program and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate certificate program. In September 2003, a Veterinary Attendant certificate program was added its curriculum offering. In 2006, the school adapted both the Veterinary Assistant and the Alternative Route Veterinary Technician Candidate programs for distance learning formats and now offers both a residential and a distance learning option. Due to growth and the need to expand the facility, the school moved from Garden Grove to Foothill Ranch, CA in October 2008 and moved again in 2012, to its current location in Lake Forest, CA. In 2010, the Professional Veterinary Assistant School became accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). In December 2012, the school was purchased by Weston Educational, Inc. and the school has been recognized as a non-main campus of Heritage Institute, Ft. Myers campus by ABHES. School Approval and Accreditation Heritage s approval to operate as a private postsecondary institution in the State of California is based on provisions of the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 (California Education Code, Title 3, Division 10, Part 59, Chapter8), which is effective January 1, The bureau s contact information is as follows: The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education P O Box , West Sacramento, CA By phone: (888) or by bppve@dca.ca.gov The following programs are approved by the Bureau: Veterinary Attendant Program Veterinary Assistant Program Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program Heritage is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools 7777 Leesburg Pike, Suite 314 North, Falls Church, Virginia Phone: (703) Fax: (703) Website: abhes.org Heritage does not currently offer 2-year degrees; however, Heritage offers an Alternate Route Certificate. Upon successful completion of the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program at the school, and subject to alternate route requirements, students are eligible to take the California RVT exam. For more information regarding the alternate route requirements, contact the California Veterinary Medical Board at (916) Facilities The main campus is located at 21 Spectrum Pointe, Suite 101, Lake Forest, California The building is handicapped accessible, and the school occupies a single story suite. The 3,400 sq. ft. facility houses the business and admissions offices as well as the classroom, library, break areas, and laboratory. Parking is available in the lot in front of the building during class and business hours. Equipment and Resources Videos and Interactive CDs on anatomy, animal handling, office and clinical procedures. Computers with internet access available for use during class time and/or pre-arranged study sessions. Library of veterinary medical books available for students to use in class and at home. Students may check out the textbooks for a period of 2 weeks at a time upon request. Life-sized animal models of cats, dogs, and general anatomy. Modern Equipment - blood chemistry analyzer, EKG and blood pressure monitor, centrifuge and digital microscopes. 6

7 Student Services Tutoring - limited tutoring is available by appointment. Tutors are RVTs who have instructed in the program. Educational Resources All day Monday through Thursday and on Friday morning students have the opportunity to study and use the library and computers during nonclassroom hours. Graduates are encouraged to use the facility to study for the RVT exam. Students and graduates should call the office to schedule tutoring or off-hours sessions. Housing- Heritage does not assume responsibility for student housing, does not have dormitory facilities under its control, nor offers student housing assistance. According to rentals.com for Lake Forest, California, rental properties start at approximately $1180 per month. Job Placement Assistance Job placement assistance is available for all enrolled students and graduates. Although job placement is not guaranteed, every effort will be made to assist students and graduates seeking employment. The mission of the Heritage Placement Department is assist our beginning level students in acquiring their first job in a Veterinary Clinic or Hospital; to support our students who have experience in advancing in their career, and to develop relationships with employers who will look to Heritage as their prime source for staffing. We also seek to improve our retention of enrolled students by motivating them to complete the program in order to secure a position where they will stay and be able to advance on the job. Job Placement Services Offered: Resume Writing Faxing and ing your resume to prospective employers Supporting a specialized job search in your area Providing leads for potential job openings Maintaining a Job Posting Board in the lobby as well as on the website Providing tips on job searching For job placement assistance, contact the business office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Current job postings can be viewed on the website at Student Conduct Policy Students are expected to exercise respect and self-discipline at Heritage and at their assigned externship site. The following behaviors may result in dismissal from Heritage: A) Defacing, stealing, or mutilating any School property or property at an ssigned externship site. B) Falsification or misrepresentation of material information in any records, financial documents, or sign-in sheets, whether inadvertent or deliberate. C) Unethical conduct as discussed in the Ethical Principles and Practices subheading. D) Activities creating a safety hazard to other persons at the school including, but not limited to, weapons possession. E) Disobedience or not following orders, or disrespect towards another student, an administrator, a faculty member, or a staff member at the school or externship site. F) Intoxication from any substance as well as possession of drugs or alcohol on school premises or at the externship site. The consequences for violating of the rules of conduct presented in the catalog are 1) verbal warning 2) loss of participation points, 3) academic probation or suspension or 3) dismissal from the school. All disciplinary matters will come before the administration, which will review the complaint, interview the person(s) involved and make a determination of the action. Results may include: dismissal of the charge, dismissal of the student, probation or suspension for a specified period of time. The finding will become part of the student s permanent file, possibly affecting a recommendation to future employers. Heritage reserves the right to dismiss any student for whom it feels continuation would be a detriment to the student, fellow students and/or the school. Ethical Principles and Practices: Heritage requires each student to present his/her own work and considers any form of cheating to be an unethical practice. Heritage shall follow the procedure outlined below for handling claims or allegations against students for unethical student activities such as: plagiarism, selling of exams, assignments and projects, or copying of other student's work. Consequences of Unethical Student Conduct: Should it be determined that a student has behaved in an unethical manner, the student may be subject to the following disciplinary actions dependent upon the nature and scope of the offense as determined by the Arbitration Review Committee: 1. The student may not receive credit for the work completed. 2. The student may not receive credit for the class. 3. The student may be administratively terminated from the program. Procedure and Appeal Process for Unethical Student Conduct: If a student is charged by an instructor with unethical conduct, the student may make an appeal of this determination in the following manner: 1. The student should meet with the instructor who made the allegation to discuss and attempt to resolve the problem. 2. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the instructor or student can petition for a meeting with the school director for review and resolution. The petition request must be made in writing by either the student or the instructor and submitted to the school director. If after review by the director, a satisfactory resolution has still not been reached, the matter may be appealed to the Arbitration Review Committee. This committee consists of the director and student services coordinator. The committee reviews all materials and prior decisions and comes to a resolution on the matter. The decision of the Arbitration Review Committee is final. 7

8 Which Program is Right for You? Veterinary Attendant Program: Experience is not required for this program, but it is helpful. Students should have the desire to work in a small animal hospital in an entry-level position. Veterinary Assistant Program: Open only to individuals currently employed in an animal hospital who want to expand their knowledge and prepare themselves for RVT licensure through the alternate route. Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program: A qualified candidate must be a graduate of the Heritage Veterinary Assistant Program who is currently working in an animal hospital and has a minimum of 24 months of experience working full time under the direction of a California- licensed veterinarian. Completion of the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program qualifies the graduate to receive the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Certificate. This certificate and the required work experience will allow the graduate to apply for Veterinary Technician licensure in the state of California. Contact the California Veterinary Medical Board at (916) or for an application and more information. Distance Learning The Veterinary Assistant and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate programs are also offered via Distance Learning (dl). It is recommended that applicants for the distance learning option should meet the following criteria: 1. Applicants are computer literate and have their own computer and internet connection (we do offer a laptop package for purchase if you do not currently have your own computer). 2. Applicants are taking the course due to distance or time constraints. 3. Applicants already have good basic technician skills. Prior to acceptance, applicants must obtain a veterinarian s commitment to assist the student with the hands-on portion of the learning process. Application Process and Requirements All applicants must submit all the necessary paperwork no later than the date of the application deadline date in order to be considered for acceptance into the program. All applicants must make an appointment with the admissions office to submit their application. A complete application must be submitted prior to testing for the Veterinary Assistant program. Once you have been accepted to a program, you will be required to attend a mandatory enrollment meeting usually scheduled one week prior to the start date of your class. Your tuition payment is due before this enrollment meeting. Please see the addendum to this catalog for meeting dates and times. Veterinary Attendant Program Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must have a High School diploma, GED, or equivalent. Applicants not residing in Orange County may have to travel to an animal hospital closer to the school to complete their externship. Applicants should have reliable transportation to and from the externship site. The application process for the Veterinary Attendant Program is as follows: 1) All applicants must make an appointment with the admissions officer to submit their application in person. A complete application must include: a) The written application. b) A legible copy of their driver s license or state ID c) A legible copy of one of the following: your social security card, birth certificate or valid passport. Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must submit documentation of legal residency and eligibility to work in the United States. d) Documentation of high school graduation or equivalency or GED. e) A transcript from a foreign country must have an English translation. 2) At your application appointment you will be given a basic Math and English skills test. You must score a 60% on each section to be considered for the program. If you do not pass one or both of the sections, you will not be able to enroll in the current class and will not proceed to the Assessment session. 3) Once your application and testing have been reviewed, you will be notified in writing of your acceptance or denial to the program. Veterinary Assistant Program Prerequisite: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must have a High School diploma, GED, or equivalent. This program is open only to individuals who are currently employed in an animal hospital. Students who are not currently performing the required externship tasks on-the-job will most likely have to do the externship hours on a voluntary basis. Students not doing their externship at their present job may have to travel to an animal hospital closer to the school to complete their externship. The application process for the Veterinary Assistant program is as follows: Steps 1 and 2 before the application deadline date: 1) All applicants must make an appointment with the admissions officer to submit their application in person. A complete application must include: a) The written application. b) A legible copy of their driver s license or state ID c) A legible copy of one of the following: your social security card, birth certificate or valid passport. d) Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must submit documentation of legal residency and eligibility to work in the United States. e) Documentation of high school graduation or equivalency or GED. A transcript from a foreign country must have English translation. f) The Heritage Employment Verification Form signed and dated by your veterinarian. 2) All applicants must take the Heritage Placement test and Entrance Exam at their application appointment. You must receive a passing score of 70% or better on each section of the tests to be accepted to the program. The Placement Test consists of veterinary related questions and the Entrance Exam consists of basic Math and English skills. Applicants who do not pass the Heritage Placement Test will not be able to retake this test until the next application period. It will be recommended that the applicant take the 8

9 Veterinary Attendant Program and/or gain more work experience before retesting. You may retake the math and English skills test one time during each enrollment period. After the applications are reviewed each applicant is notified in writing of their acceptance or denial to the program. Maximum capacity for each class is 30 students. In the event that there are more applicants than spaces in the class, applicants will be placed on a waiting list and notified when a space becomes available. Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program Prerequisite: A qualified candidate must be a graduate in good standing from the Heritage Veterinary Assistant Program, have 4,416 hours over no less than 24 months of veterinary assistant experience working under the direction of a California-licensed veterinarian, and have 100% of the RVT tasks that were required for the Assistant program externship completed. All returning Veterinary Assistant Program Graduate Applicants are required to: 1) Submit a completed application. 2) Submit an official RVT Task List for each employer necessary to account for the 4,416 hours over no less than 24 months of experience and have 100% of the RVT tasks that were required for the Assistant program externship completed. 3) Undergo an interview with the director to determine acceptance to the program. Notice Concerning Transferability of Units and Degrees to the School Heritage will consider credit granted from any other institutes accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Heritage does not accept experiential learning, challenge examinations, or achievement tests for advanced placement or credit. Students who transfer in credit must complete a minimum of 50% of the course work required for graduation. Notice Concerning Transferability of Units and Degrees Earned At Our School The transferability of credits you earn at Heritage is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of any certificates you earn at Heritage is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the credits or certificates that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending Heritage to determine if any of your certificates will transfer. Heritage has not entered into any articulation or transfer agreements with any other college or university. Heritage does not admit ability-to-benefit students. All classes will be conducted in English. English as a Second Language will not be provided. Applicants to Heritage will be required to submit an original legible copy of their driver s license and social security card. Applicants who are not citizens of the United States must submit documentation of legal residency. Heritage does not discriminate based upon race, religion, sexual orientation or physical ability. Heritage is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in education and employment for all its students, faculty, staff, and applicants for admission or employment. Heritage and all its employees will not discriminate against any student or employee, present or potential, on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status, marital status, and ethnic background. Heritage abides by these policies in the administration of its student admissions, financial aid and scholarships, and career placement programs, as well as in all other student-related services and educational programs and opportunities. According to Sections 503/504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and within the limits of its resources, Heritage is committed to providing a reasonable accommodation to all of its students. However, upon admission, students need to be able to meet the essential skills requirement for each specific program and have the physical and mental abilities necessary to perform successfully and achieve the objectives of their program of study. Physical Limitations Clause: Exposure to the following may be harmful to an unborn human fetus: cat feces, x-rays, anesthesia, etc. For this reason, pregnant students may not be accepted to an externship site, and therefore will be unable to complete the required externship during the dates of the course. Heritage will make every attempt to accommodate students under these conditions, but pregnant students will likely need to take a temporary leave of absence. Persons with physical limitations that would hinder them from being able to perform the required duties may not be able to complete the program, and/or obtain employment. Every attempt will be made to accommodate students under these conditions, but students cannot pass the program if they cannot complete the required externship or coursework. If the disability is only temporary, students may have to postpone their externship until they are able to perform the required duties. Admission Standards Heritage reserves the right to deny admittance to any individual whom it does not deem capable of completing the program and/or licensing procedure. 9

10 Faculty School Director, Full-time Anthony Stone Full-Time Instructors Jill Ruffu, RVT Associate of Arts, Animal Health Technology Pierce College, Tacoma, WA, awarded 1986 California RVT License #6085 Clinical Experience: 29 years with small animal Phil Snow, RVT Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Certificate, awarded 2009 California RVT License #8304 Clinical Experience: 9 years with small animal Sheri Candeletta, BS, DVM, MBA Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL awarded 1992 Member of Phi-Zeta Honor society Internship: Veterinary Oncology - All Care Animal Referral Center California DVM License #11405 California-licensed veterinarian -20 years with small animal since 1992 Currently at Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Foothill Ranch, CA Office Staff Admissions Officer, Office Manager, Full-time Lore Martin Bachelor of Science Psychology California State University, Long Beach, CA awarded 1993 Certificate of Medical Assisting, Bryman School, Torrance, CA 1982 Education Specialist, Student Services Officer, Full-time Norma West Computerized Business Systems Diploma Maric College, Anaheim, CA awarded June 2004 Office Assistant, Part-time Beth Johnson Master of Business Administration, Chapman University, Orange, CA, awarded Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Miami, Miami, FL, awarded 1987 with Honors. Part-Time Instructors Jeff Backus, RVT Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Certificate Professional Veterinary Assistant School awarded 2009 California RVT License #8109 Clinical Experience: 17 years with small animal since 1995 Currently at Animal Urgent Care in Mission Viejo, CA Marianne Hoover, RVT Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Certificate Professional Veterinary Assistant School, awarded California RVT License #7906 Clinical Experience: 8 years with small animal since 2004 Currently at Yorba Regional Animal Hospital, Yorba Linda, CA Anca Thompson, RVT Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Certificate Professional Veterinary Assistant School, awarded California RVT License # 8046 Clinical Experience: 10 years with small animal since 2002 Currently at Alicia Pet Care Center, Mission Viejo, CA 10

11 Veterinary Attendant - 3 Month Program Program Description and Objectives: This program is designed to teach students the basics of working in a veterinary hospital and to help them perform their jobs professionally and with confidence. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be awarded a certificate of completion and will receive job placement assistance. While job placement is not guaranteed, every effort will be made to find positions for graduates needing employment. By the end of the 150 hour program graduates are expected to perform the following tasks with the appropriate safety measures: 1. Restrain a cooperative dog/cat for: a. Exams b. Blood draw c. IV catheter placement d. Radiographs of the chest and abdomen 2. Administer oral medication pills and liquids 3. Prepare vaccines and subcutaneous fluid and medicine administration 4. Take a temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate 5. Clean ears and perform nail trims 6. Clean cages and kennels, feed dogs and cats 7. Prepare a hematocrit, fecal flotation, and in-house ELIZA test 8. Process and label radiographs 9. Clean and prepare instruments for a surgical pack 10. Greet a client on the phone and in person 11. Make a prescription label 12. Make a notation in a medical record Attendants function as technician's assistants, veterinary receptionists, and/or kennel assistants. Their duties include: restraining animals for doctors and technicians, providing treatment and sanitation for animal patients, and assisting clients on the phone as well as in person. Veterinary attendants fill entry-level positions which require fewer skills than a veterinary assistant or technician. With experience, typically 2-6 months, veterinary attendants may quickly progress to the level of veterinary assistant. To be eligible for veterinary technician licensure, additional education and work experience is required. Program Length and Delivery: The program consists of one 12-week course divided into 24 class sessions. Each class is presented onsite twice weekly for 3 hours per session for 5 hours of lecture and 1 hour of lab per week. An additional 78 hours will be spent at an off-site externship. The program has a total of 150 hours or 5.5 semester credits to be completed in the 12 weeks. The externship must be completed at a school approved small animal hospital within 20 miles of the classroom location. Special arrangements for other externship locations must be made before enrollment. Graduation Requirements: To receive a certificate of completion students must: Have an overall program grade of C or better. Complete all course work and assignments. Complete a minimum of 78 hours in a school approved off-site externship. Submit a completed Veterinary Attendant Program task list signed and dated by their mentor. Meet all financial or other obligations to the School. Note: All these requirements must be met by the last day class. Topics Covered: AH Animal Handling (lab included) Four 3-hour sessions (12 hours) Lectures and practice with models will focus on positioning for treatments and exams, injections, and sample collecting. Student and instructor's animals may be utilized on a strictly voluntary basis to present real-life challenges for the restraint lab. SAN Sanitation Three 3-hour sessions (9 hours) Various aspects of sanitation in the veterinary hospital will be presented and discussed. Other topics will include: infectious diseases, patient care, safety, and basic grooming. MED Medications and Treatments Seven 3-hour sessions (21 hours) Medications and treatment administration will be discussed. Topics in this introductory class will include the basics of: oral and injectable medication, IV fluids and catheters, dentistry, surgical preparation, and emergencies. LAB Laboratory (lab included) Three 3-hour sessions (9 hours) Students will learn about laboratory machines (blood analysis), forms and nomenclature, preparing samples, infectious disease testing, and microscopic examinations (fecal, urine). The lab will focus on preparing samples and equipment maintenance. RAD Radiology (lab included) Three 3-hour sessions (9 hours) Discussion and demonstrations on radiation safety, positioning for x-rays, processing radiographs, and proper labeling and storage will be provided in the radiology class. CC Client Communication Four 3-hour sessions (12 hours) Classes will include lecture and discussion of the following topics: client greeting and discharge, telephone answering, record-keeping, and communication/conflict regarding clients, staff members, and doctors. EXT Externship 7-8 hours weekly (78 hours) The externship at a small animal hospital is designed to introduce students to the concepts they have learned in the classroom. Students who are not already working in an animal hospital will do their externship on a voluntary basis. It is strongly recommended that all students have their own medical coverage and have had a tetanus shot within the last 5 years. 11

12 Veterinary Assistant - 12 Month Program Program Description and Objectives The Veterinary Assistant Program is designed to educate individuals in the basic concepts and generalities of veterinary medicine and prepare them to assist doctors and technicians in small animal hospitals. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be awarded a certificate of completion By the end of the 480 hour program graduates are expected to perform the following tasks with the appropriate safety measures (adapted from the California Veterinary Medical Board Registered Veterinary Technician Committee Task List): 1. Acquire patient history 2. Provide client education regarding preventive measures and routine care 3. Maintain proper medical records 4. Have knowledge, skills and ability to recognize normal vs. abnormal behavior and respond appropriately 5. Restrain patients for exams, diagnostic sampling, and procedures 6. Administer oral and parenteral medications 7. Place an Intravenous catheter 8. Apply and maintain bandages 9. Determine and know normal values of body temperature, pulse rate, and respiration 10. Auscultate heart and lungs using a stethoscope 11. Recognize an emergency 12. Assist with CPR 13. Collect and prepare specimens and samples for diagnostic evaluation 14. Perform these basic diagnostic tests: a. Complete blood count b. Urinalysis c. Fecal flotation d. Heartworm test 15. Maintain laboratory equipment 16. Collect, prepare and properly submit and label patient samples 17. Produce diagnostic radiographs 18. Understand and implement radiation safety protocols 19. Apply knowledge of aseptic technique 20. Feed patients according to nutritional requirements 21. Assist in counseling clients regarding animal nutrition 22. Perform supragingival and subgingival dental scaling and polishing 23. Prepare and dispense medication, including calculating dosages 24. Recognize adverse reactions 25. Practice safe handling of biohazardous materials 26. Have a basic understanding of: a. Animal anatomy and physiology b. Veterinary diseases and treatments c. The structure of a small animal hospital and the health care team. A veterinary assistant is someone other than a doctor or registered technician who works in a veterinary hospital; however, a veterinary assistant has more experience than a veterinary attendant. The positions an assistant can hold include veterinary receptionist, doctor's assistant, or technician's assistant. Their duties include: restraining animals for doctors and technicians, dispensing medications, providing treatment, testing, and sanitation for animal patients, and assisting clients on the phone or when admitting and discharging patients. Veterinary assistants possess basic skills and are well poised for advancement to other positions in the veterinary hospital. Program Length and Delivery The program duration is 12 months for a total of 292 hours or 17 credits plus 188 hours (4 credits) of on-the-job or school-arranged offsite externship. Onsite classes are held twice weekly on a Monday-Tuesday or Wednesday-Thursday schedule. Distance learning classes are held on the internet and require one-two on-site laboratory sessions per semester. See addendum for the Distance Learning Schedule. Graduation Requirements To be awarded a certificate of completion a student must: Complete all course work and assignments. Pass each class with a grade of C or better and obtain an overall Grade Point Average of 2.0. Complete all externship requirements with a total of 188 hours and at least 70% of your task list completed. Meet all financial or other obligations to the school. Complete all the requirements by the last date of the program. Note: This program is designed only to train veterinary assistants; further educational requirements and work experience are needed to be eligible for veterinary technician licensure. However, graduates of the Veterinary Assistant Program with 4,416 hours over no less than 24 months of practical experience working under the direction of a California-licensed veterinarian have the option to take the additional semester (the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program ) needed to become an Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate. *All course work and work experience must be completed within five (5) years to be eligible to take the California RVT licensing exam. Semester Course Hours per Week Hours per 15 Weeks Semester Credits 1 ABS HP VN AHL WEE LS ABN WEE Total 480* 21.0 * 480 hours: final session in ABN is only 2 hours 12

13 Course Descriptions for the Veterinary Assistant Program HP Hospital Procedures: 2.5 hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 37.5 hours(2.5 credits) The Hospital Procedures course covers record keeping, medical terminology, inventory and ordering and exam room procedures. Communication issues will be addressed and marketing concepts introduced. Students will be exposed to legal and ethical issues, leadership and professional etiquette. ABS Applied Basic Science: 4 hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 60 hours (3.5 credits) Topics covered in the first 4 weeks focus on biology, chemistry, and basic mathematic calculations that directly apply to small animal medicine. The rest of the course covers anatomy and physiology. Lecture will be combined with hands-on experience using models and interactive CD- ROM s. The course will be taught without the use of dissections. VN1 Veterinary Nursing: 4 hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 60 hours (4 credits) The Veterinary Nursing course is the introductory nursing course covering medicating and injections, surgical preparation, diagnostic sampling, radiology, dentistry, and basic CPR and emergencies. Other topics include toxicology and infectious and zoonotic diseases as they are encountered in the small animal veterinary hospital, with some large animal comparisons. AHL Animal Handling and Technical Skills Lab: 2.5 hours per week for 15 weeks a total of 37.5 hours (1 credit) This is the core course of the program and students will be expected to be confident in performing every part of this laboratory. Partly a hands-on workshop, classes contain sufficient lecture material for students to have an understanding of procedures. Restraint and positioning, sample collecting, patient care, and medicating will be emphasized. Models and videos will be used to enhance student comprehension and in-class assignments will focus on procedures, complications, and client communication. Student and instructor's animals will be utilized on a strictly voluntary basis to present real-life challenges in the restraint, physical exam, vaccination, and blood collection labs. Live animals will only have minor sampling procedures, and their samples will be analyzed as a benefit to the animal. LS Laboratory Science: 4 hours per week for 15 weeks, for a total of 60 hours (3.5 credits) Laboratory Science is predominantly a lecture course accompanied by hands-on laboratory examples. Students will become familiar with interpreting basic blood slides and discuss how to operate and maintain laboratory equipment. Topics include hematology, infectious disease testing, cultures, urine and fecal analysis, and blood and urine chemistry. The basics of pharmacology, parasitology, immunology, and microbiology will also make up a large part of this course. ABN Animal Behavior and Nutrition: 2.5 hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 37.5 hours (2.5 credits) Students will learn about small and exotic animal behavior in this course, especially as it relates to restraint and training. Nutritional concepts will be applied to feeding practices, species differences, nutritional diseases and the analysis of commercial diets. Students will participate in a group project creating and delivering a presentation on a topic relating to behavior, nutrition, or communication. WEE1 and WEE2 Work Experience Externship (2.0 credits each) 6.25 hours per week or 94 hours per semester for a total of 188 hours. Veterinary Assistant Program students will participate in 188 hours on-the-job or school-arranged externship to be completed before the end of the third semester. Students will be expected to complete a task list and will need to have a veterinarian mentor sign the task list as a confirmation of the student s skills in practice. The externship will be done at the student s work site or it can be done on a voluntary basis. 13

14 Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program Prerequisite: Veterinary Assistant Program A qualified candidate must be a graduate in good standing from the Heritage Veterinary Assistant Program and have 4,416 hours over no less than 24 months of veterinary assistant experience working under the direction of a California-licensed veterinarian and have 100% of the RVT tasks that were required for the Assistant program completed. All applicants will be required to have an interview with the director prior to acceptance to the program. The Veterinary Assistant Program and the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program together are needed to complete the educational requirement to take the California RVT licensure exam under the Alternate Route Category. Program Description and Objectives The courses in these programs are designed to educate onthe-job trained veterinary assistants in the basic concepts and principles of veterinary medicine and to prepare them to be effective small animal veterinary technicians. The courses have been created to offer working assistants a means to fulfill the educational requirement to take the California RVT licensing exam, and RVTs to get continuing education credit. Applicants for the licensing exam must also fulfill state requirements well in advance of the examination date. The instruction in these two programs is designed to prepare the student for license requirements by combining subjects and teaching specific principles deemed necessary by the Veterinary Medical Board, Registered Veterinary Technician Committee, and practicing veterinarians. Students will focus on material they need to know to work as a technician in a small animal hospital without having to take general educational courses prior to entering the program. The program will provide students the opportunity to keep working and gain the education they need to be licensed. Upon completion of the course, graduates will be awarded a certificate of completion By the end of the 96 hour program graduates are expected to perform the tasks from the Veterinary Assistant Program and following tasks with the appropriate safety measures (adapted from the California Veterinary Medical Board Registered Veterinary Technician Committee Task List): 1. Recognize emergency situations and have a basic understanding of emergency treatment protocols. 2. Apply temporary bandages and institute hemostasis 3. Assist in and understand principles of application of splints and casts 4. Assist in and have knowledge of techniques and patterns relevant to suturing of skin wounds 5. Assist in and have knowledge of procedures and risks associated with general anesthesia 6. Assist in monitoring a patient under general anesthetics 7. Perform endotracheal intubation 8. Understand principles of safety for both patient and personnel 9. Gather data for the assessment of dental health 10. Assist in and have knowledge of techniques for dental extractions A veterinary technician works in a veterinary hospital collecting and testing laboratory samples, taking radiographs, preparing and medicating sick animal patients, performing dental cleanings, and communicating with clients. Licensed individuals are able to extract teeth, induce anesthesia, apply casts and splints, and suture existing wounds. Veterinary technicians do not diagnose, prescribe treatments, or perform surgery; they do, however, have the background and skill to direct other assistants in the daily tasks of a veterinary hospital. Program Length and Delivery The duration of the program is 15 weeks for a total of 96 hours or 5.0 credits. Onsite classes are held twice weekly on a Monday-Tuesday or Wednesday-Thursday schedule. Distance learning classes are held on the internet and require 1-2 onsite laboratories per semester. Graduation Requirements: To be awarded a certificate of completion students must: Complete all course work and assignments. Pass each class with a letter grade of C or better, and obtain an overall Grade Point Average of 2.0 Pay all money owed to the school. Complete all the requirements by the last date of the program. Note: All coursework and work experience must be completed within five (5) years to be eligible to take the California RVT licensing exam. Course Descriptions: VN2 Advanced Veterinary Nursing - 4 hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 60 hours (4.0credits) Subjects covered in this lecture-only course include dental prophylaxis and extractions, introduction to ultrasound and advanced imaging, anesthetic induction and monitoring, emergency medicine, surgical assisting, and suturing and bandaging/splint application. VN3 Advanced Veterinary Nursing Lab hours per week for 15 weeks for a total of 36 hours (1.0credit) The Advanced Veterinary Nursing Lab is structured to parallel the lecture class. Each section will be taught with the use of state-of-the-art models and videos. Students will be expected to gain experience from their current job and attend hands-on workshops which may occasionally be held off-site. Cadavers will be used for the dental extraction lab only. 14

15 Student Assessment and Grading Policy Grades will be assigned by a letter grade determined on a percentage basis: % = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D and 59% and below is failing or F. Students must have a minimum grade of C (70%) to pass a course. Grade points will be assigned as follows to determine an overall grade point average for the program: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, and F = 0. Students will be assigned a letter grade and a grade point for each course completed. Calculation: Grade points will be multiplied by the number of hours in the course to determine the total grade point hours for the course. At the program conclusion, all the total grade point hours will be added together and divided by the number of hours in the entire program. Students will be given their grade point average at the end of each semester. Graduates will be required to have completed and passed all courses in their respective program, and have met all financial or other obligations to the school to be awarded a certificate of completion. Attendance Regular class attendance is expected of all on-site students. Distance Learning students must submit the in-class assignment and take the online quiz according to the time and date in their course syllabus to document their attendance. When a student must be absent for an illness or emergency, the student shall notify or have someone notify the appropriate instructors or the school director. More than 2 absences in a 15-week course or more than 2 absences in a 12-week course/program will result in the student's dismissal from the program, unless the student, the director, and the instructor agree to any special circumstances and the make-up of coursework is agreed upon within 3 weeks. A tuition refund will be calculated for dismissed students in accordance with the refund policy. Missed Class Time and Make-up Quizzes If the student misses class, the student is responsible for obtaining lecture handouts and other class materials prior to the next week s class session. The student is allowed to make up the quiz that was missed, and is expected to take the next scheduled quiz on time. If the student does not take the make-up quiz, or the next scheduled quiz on time, 2 points will be deducted from that quiz grade. The only exceptions for delaying a scheduled or make-up quiz are an extreme illness, which has been documented by a doctor s note, or an extreme family emergency. If the student misses a class, the student can petition to come in for a make-up session. Make- up sessions will only be allowed when a student has an extreme illness or extreme personal or family emergency and will be granted at the discretion of the Classroom Manager and/or Director. The student is responsible for contacting the Classroom Manager to schedule the make-up session. Make-up sessions can only be scheduled at a time where it will not interfere with another class meeting and only when the Classroom Manager is present. Tardiness or Leaving Class Early An on-site student who arrives after the scheduled class time or a distance learning student who is late for the weekly quiz is considered to be tardy. Students will lose participation points based on the amount of time they are late. Students who are 5-60 minutes tardy will lose one participation point. A student who misses more than half the class will be counted as absent and will lose all of the participation points. A student who leaves class between 5-30 minutes early will lose one participation point and a student who leaves class without notifying the classroom manager will lose an additional participation point. Satisfactory Academic Progress Qualitative Standards: Each student s academic progress will be monitored throughout the program. Grade sheets are given to the on-site and distance learning students in the Veterinary Attendant, Veterinary Assistant, Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate at least once during a semester. Students may inquire about their grade at any time in the program by calling or speaking with the classroom manager. Grade reports are given at the end of each semester after a complete review has been conducted. At the time of the review, an official cumulative grade point average (GPA) is evaluated to determine whether qualitative standards are being met. A student must achieve a GPA of 2.0 by the end of the program to be awarded a certificate of completion. Students who are not meeting the standards will be placed on academic probation. (See Academic Probation section on pages ) Students are evaluated through the use of written exams, written and oral assignments, practical exams, group projects and externships to document their grasp of the subject matter and ability to work with others. Participation points will be given for each class session. During lectures and labs students must be present, on time, dress appropriately (no shorts, midriffs, or open-toed shoes) and show respect to the instructor and other class members in order to receive the maximum daily points available. During lectures students are required to ask questions or offer relevant comments. During labs, students must also be actively involved in the lab exercises. A weekly quiz will be given in each semester of the Veterinary Attendant, Veterinary Assistant, and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Programs. A final exam will follow each course in the Veterinary Assistant and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Programs. The quizzes and exams are written by the instructors based on the material in the lecture, lab, and required readings. The format will be multiple choice, essay, short answer, true/false, or the test may be presented as a practical exam when indicated. The questions will be directed toward the skills or tasks indicated for each class period. 15

16 Quantitative Standards: Each program requires the completion of a specific number of hours for completion. Students must complete each course by the last scheduled day of that course. Students who have incomplete coursework, have been on a Leave of Absence, or have repeated a course must complete their goals by the time they have reached 150% of the number of hours required to meet graduation requirements. Maximum Timeframe: Students must complete the total number of hours required for their program, and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA average within the specified number of hours required for graduation. Program Veterinary Attendant Veterinary Assistant Alternate Route Technician Candidate Academic Probation: Program Hours/ Weeks 150 Hours 12 Weeks 480 Hours 45 Weeks 96 hours 15 weeks Maximum No. of Hours/ Weeks (150%) 225 Hours 18 Weeks 720 Hours 67 Weeks 144 Hours 22 Weeks Students may be placed on Academic Probation for the following violations. Students will be given a written notice that they are on probation, with the terms and consequences for each violation as well as a written notice when they are removed from probation. 1) Violation: Receiving a letter grade below a C. Students must pass each course with a minimum grade of C and must maintain a GPA of 2.0. Anything below C or 70% is a failing grade and students must either petition to retake the course or they will be dropped from the program. Terms of Probation: Students will be placed on Academic Probation when their course grade falls below 70%. Students will not pass the course or continue to the next semester and/or program until they have successfully made up the necessary course work to raise their grade above 70%. Students with a course grade below 70% at the end of the course will be dismissed or they will be required to repeat the entire course. Only one course per program can be repeated to stay within the maximum allowable timeframe. Consequence: If a student fails to make up the necessary coursework within the maximum allowable timeframe, the student will be dropped from the program. Students may petition to repeat a course in which they received a letter grade of D or F but they must receive a letter grade of C or better in the repeated course(s) to be able to continue to the next semester or program. Removal from Probation: Students will be removed from probation and given a written notice when they have made up the necessary course work to increase the non-passing grade. Their grade report will reflect the new passing grade. 2) Violation: GPA is below 2.0. Terms of Probation: Students will be placed on Academic Probation until they increase their GPA to 2.0. Consequence: Students who have a GPA below 2.0 will be dismissed. Students with a GPA of less than 2.0 at the end of their program will not be awarded a certificate of completion. Students may petition to repeat a class in which they received a letter of grade of D or F in order to increase their GPA. Removal from Probation: Students will be removed from probation and given a written notice when they have made up the necessary course work to increase their GPA to 2.0. Their grade report will reflect the new passing grade. 3) Violation: Excessive absences Students are allowed a total of 2 absences in the Veterinary Attendant Program and 2 absences in each course in the Veterinary Assistant and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Programs. Terms of Probation: Students who have 2 absences will be placed on probation until the end of the semester or until the missed class sessions have been made up to the satisfaction of the instructor and director. Consequence: Students who exceed the maximum allowable number of absences will be dismissed from the program. Students may petition to make up the absences and stay in the program, provided that they have no further absences. In extreme circumstances, a student may take a leave of absence. Removal from Probation: A student will be removed from probation and given a written notice when the excessive absences have been made up. 4) Violation: Missed Laboratory Sessions Students are allowed only 2 absences in any 12 or 15 week course. However, if a lab session is labeled in the syllabus as mandatory, this must be made up regardless of the number of absences a student has. Terms of Probation: Students who miss a mandatory lab session will be placed on academic probation until the end of the semester or until the session is made up to the satisfaction of the instructor and director. Consequence: If students miss a mandatory lab session and/or more than 2 class sessions they will receive an incomplete for the course until the session is made up. Veterinary Assistant Program students will not be admitted into the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program until they have completed and passed the Veterinary Assistant Program. All class sessions must be made up within the maximum allowable timeframe. If class sessions are not made up in the maximum allowable timeframe, the student will be dismissed from the program. Removal from Probation: Students will be removed from probation and given a written notice when they have made up the missed laboratory sessions. 16

17 5) Violation: Late Assignments. Students must complete all assignments before the end of a course. Terms of Probation: Students who do not turn in the required assignments will be placed on Academic Probation for the rest of the semester. Assignments must be turned in by the end of the semester or the student will be dismissed from the program unless the student, instructor, and director agree to special circumstances permitting the student to have the time extended. Only two additional weeks will be given. Consequences: Students who do not turn in the required assignments will be dismissed from the program. Students with time extensions who turn in their assignments after the new semester has begun will have to wait till the course is offered the next time to progress to the next semester and/or program. Removal from Probation: Students will be removed from probation and given a written notice when they have turned in the late assignments. 6) Violation-: Incomplete Externship Requirements Veterinary Attendant Program: Terms of Probation: Students must complete the total number of hours required. Students must complete a minimum of 70% of the tasks required in order to complete the externship. Consequences: Students must continue to attend their externship until all the required hours are completed and at least 70% of the tasks are completed and must do so within the maximum allowable time frame for the Veterinary Attendant program. If they are not able to complete the externship within the maximum allowable timeframe, they will not be granted a certificate of completion. Removal from Probation: Students will be removed from probation and given a written notice when they have turned in the necessary paperwork showing that they have competed the hours or tasks. They will then be given an updated grade report and certificate of completion. Veterinary Assistant program: Terms of probation: Students must complete the total number of hours required. Students must complete a minimum of 70% of the tasks required for each semester externship course in order to complete the externship requirement. Consequences: If the student does not complete the total number of hours and/or at least 70% of the required tasks for the 2 nd semester externship course, the student will receive an incomplete. Students who do not complete the requirements in the 2 nd semester must complete all the requirements during the 3 rd semester. Students who do not complete the overall required hours and/or tasks by the end of the 3 rd semester will receive an incomplete for both externships. Students must complete the total required hours and tasks within the maximum allowable timeframe for the Veterinary Assistant program to be awarded a certificate of completion. Otherwise, they will be dismissed from the Veterinary Assistant Program. Removal from Probation: Students will be removed from probation and given a written notice when they have turned in the necessary paperwork showing that they have competed the hours or tasks. They will then be given an updated grade report and certificate of completion. Appeal Process for Academic Probation Once it is determined that a student has a violation, a written notice outlining the circumstances of the violation, the terms of the probation, and the consequences will be given to the student. The student signs this notice acknowledging and agreeing to the terms of the probation. Students who fail to meet the terms of their violation must meet with the director to clear the violation. Students who are required to repeat courses must contact the business office to make arrangements. Students will sign the Notice of Probation detailing the obligations for clearing their academic probation. If after review by the director, a satisfactory resolution has still not been reached, the matter may be appealed to the Arbitration Review Committee. This committee consists of the director and student services coordinator. The committee reviews all materials and prior decisions and comes to a resolution on the matter. The decision of the Arbitration Review Committee is final. Incomplete or Failing Grades Incomplete Coursework: Students with incomplete coursework such as lectures, labs, quizzes, final exams and/or assignments will receive a failing grade for the course if the work is not made up within 2 weeks of the course final exam date. However, students who turn in their assignments after the new semester has begun will have to wait till the course is offered the next time to progress to the next semester. Students unable to make up the course work in this time period will be dropped from the program. Dropped students may petition to reapply to repeat the program, as long as it is completed within the maximum allowable timeframe. Incomplete Credit for Non-Punitive (Pass/Fail) Courses: The externship courses for the veterinary assistant program are the only non-punitive courses at Heritage. Students are required to complete all externship hours and must have at least 70% of their tasks completed in order to receive a passing grade. Students who received a failed grade in their externship will not be awarded a certificate of completion until the incomplete hours or tasks are made up to the satisfaction of the instructor and director. Students who do not turn in evidence of competed requirements within the maximum allowable time frame will be dismissed from the program. Course Failure: Heritage does not offer any remedial courses; students who do not pass the entrance exams and/or coursework may need to take a remedial math or English course elsewhere. 17

18 Under special circumstances, a student may have the opportunity to repeat a failed course. This must be agreed upon by the director, the instructor and the student. The student must repeat the course from the beginning of the semester when it is next offered, and will be charged the current tuition amount per hour of instruction for that course. If it is determined that the student cannot meet the graduation requirements within the maximum timeframe, the student will be dropped. A course may be repeated only if the student received a D or F in the course. A course can be repeated only once. If the student fails the course again, the student will be dropped from the program. Once a course is successfully repeated, the cumulative GPA and grade report will be adjusted to reflect the passing grade and the failing grade will be removed from the student s report card. Withdrawals: In the Veterinary Assistant and the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Programs, the students have 2 required courses during each semester. Students may not withdraw from a single course during the program; they must request a LOA from that entire semester and repeat that semester from the beginning in order to continue on in the program. A student who has withdrawn from the program may petition to reapply at a later date. The student would have to meet the requirements and repeat the entire program in order to receive a certificate of completion. Credit for courses previously completed will not be given. See the Readmission policy on page 18. Dismissal Policy Students may be dismissed from Heritage under any one of the following conditions: 1) Students who have not attended the first week of class will be dropped from the program. 2) Additionally, students with more than 2 absences in a 15- week course or more than 2 absences in a 12-week course/program will also be dropped from the program. Exceptions will be made only following an agreement between the director, involved instructors and the student. 3) Students who have not attended class for 3 consecutive weeks without notifying the school or without response to phone calls or written notices from the school will be dropped from the program. 4) Students who fail to pass any semester course with at least a letter grade of C will be dismissed from the program unless they petition to repeat the course. Students will be refunded any prepaid tuition according to the refund policy. If it is determined by the director and instructor(s) that the student will be allowed to re-take the course, the student will pay for the course again at the current tuition rate and retake the entire course from its start date. 5) Any student found to be in violation of the Student Conduct Policy outlined on page 7 of this catalog may be dismissed form the program. However, depending on the nature of the violation, the student may be placed on probation until the end of the semester. The situation will be re-evaluated by the start of the next semester and it will be determined if the probation will remain in effect or be removed. If the student continues to violate the misconduct policy the student will be dismissed. Probation must be removed by the director for the student to graduate. 6) Failure to meet financial obligations to the school may be grounds for dismissal. Students who have entered a promissory agreement to pay their tuition can be dismissed for failure to pay their tuition on the prescribed dates. Also, students who had a check returned for non-sufficient funds and are not able to replace the funds within an agreed amount of time may be dismissed from the program. Readmission Policy Leave of Absence: A Leave of Absence may be granted for extreme illness or injury, financial hardship, incarceration or military deployment. Students are allowed only one (1) leave of absence for each program. The student must obtain and submit a Heritage Leave of Absence Request Form. This form must be filled out and signed by the student. Once the form is received and reviewed by the director, the student will be notified of the director s decision in writing within 10 days. Students must return to the program the next time that semester is offered unless the student and the director agree upon special circumstances. Upon returning to class the student must sign a re-enrollment form that is an amendment to the student s original enrollment contract. If a student does not return within eight (8) months, the student will be dismissed and the prepaid tuition will be refunded as per the refund policy. Dropped students may petition to reapply to the program, but if accepted they must repeat the program from the beginning and pay the current tuition rate. Readmission after Program Withdraw Students who had previously withdrawn from the program may petition to be readmitted under the following conditions: 1) The student was unable to return from an LOA before it expired. 2) The student withdrew from the program due to an illness, injury, or relocation and was a student in good standing. Program Failure or Dismissal due to Unsatisfactory Academic Progress A petition from a student who failed the program or who was dismissed for unsatisfactory academic progress may be considered for readmission only if all the following conditions are met: 1) The student gains more work experience documented with a Heritage work verification form and task list. 2) The student can show evidence of a passing score in a college level course in math or science. 18

19 3) The student retakes the placement and entrance exam with an improved score. Students who petition to repeat the program after withdrawal will have to re-apply and pay the current tuition rate. Students who have the current textbooks will be discounted the appropriate materials fee. Pre-Enrollment Disclosures Required Materials Required textbooks will be supplied by Heritage for the Veterinary Assistant and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program. Handout material will be provided for all of the programs. All laboratory supplies will be furnished by the school, but students should consider purchasing scrubs for the labs and externships. The required textbooks for the Veterinary Assistant Program are: Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 7th Edition, Dennis McCurnin, W.B. Saunders Principles and Practice of Veterinary Technology, Margi Sirois, 3 nd Edition, W.B. Saunders Dog Anatomy Coloring Book, Robert A. Kainer, Thomas O. McCracken, Teton NewMedia 2003 Clinical Anatomy and Physiology for Veterinary Technicians, 2 nd Edition Thomas Colville, W.B. Saunders, 2008 The required textbooks for the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate and Advanced Veterinary Nursing Program are: Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians, 7 th Edition, Dennis Mc Curnin, W.B. Saunders, 2009 Principles and Practice of Veterinary Technology, Margi Sirois, 3 nd Edition, W.B. Saunders, 2010 Radiation Safety Handbook, Veterinary Medical Board and Registered Veterinary Technician Committee of California,1998 There will not be a required textbook for the Veterinary Attendant Program; instead only handout material will be furnished. Additionally, the school library will be available to all classes. Dress Code Scrubs are mandatory attire for classroom, labs and externships. You must be dressed in a manner consistent with the type of work you will be doing. Full scrubs (top and pants) and closed toe shoes are mandatory at all times. Neither jeans nor torn clothing is permitted. Long hair must be tied up. Do not wear jewelry of any type. Instructional Mode and Methods Onsite instruction at the main campus in Foothill Ranch California will be given via PowerPoint presentation and videos by an onsite instructor. The Veterinary Assistant and Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate programs are also available via distance learning through the internet. Distance learning students will attend final exams and laboratories at the Foothill Ranch location. Laboratories will make use of equipment for analysis of veterinary samples and physiologic monitoring, models, and student or instructor's animals for restraint demonstrations. Skills will be assessed with written exams, take-home projects and class participation. Evaluations and completion of a task list will determine the externship grades. Students who are not currently working in an animal hospital where they are able to observe or perform the required tasks will have an externship site arranged for them. In most cases the site will be within 20 miles of the classroom; however, special arrangements in other locations may be considered. Distance learning students will select their own externship site, which they must get approved by the school. Licensure Disclosure Veterinary technicians with 4,416 hours over no less than 24 months of practical experience with a California veterinarian and at least 300 hours of education deemed acceptable by the Veterinary Medical Board can become licensed through the alternate route. The alternate route educational requirement is met by completing the Alternate Route Veterinary Technician Candidate Program at Heritage. This license is for the State of California only. To become a registered veterinary technician you must apply to the State of California Veterinary Medical Board and Registered Technician Committee, 1420 Howe Avenue, Suite 6, Sacramento, CA , (916) , and take a state board exam for licensure. You must apply for the license after your school and work experience has been completed. Successful examinees will be granted an RVT license from the California Veterinary Medical Board subject to state mandated background check by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. For more information regarding the alternate route requirements, contact the California Veterinary Medical Board at (916) Elimination of Classes: Heritage reserves the right to cancel or postpone a scheduled class start when the number of students scheduled to start the program is not sufficient as determined by Heritage. If the student does not choose to change to a different start date, the student will be eligible for a full refund. Failure to Meet Financial Obligation: Heritage will withhold grades, transcripts, certification, registration privileges, or any combination thereof, from any student or former student who has failed to pay a financial obligation due to the School (e.g. returned check, equipment breakage, unpaid fees or library fines, etc.). Any item or items withheld shall be released when the student satisfactorily meets his/her financial obligation. Returned checks must be paid in the form of cash or a 19

20 cashier's check, and a returned check charge of $20.00 will be added to the amount of the check. Retention of Records Policy This institution maintains for each student permanent records of all of the following: 1) The certificate granted and the date on which that certificate was granted. 2) The courses and units on which the certificate was based. 3) The grades earned by the student in each of those courses. Student records will be maintained at the school site for five years from the last date of attendance. Transcripts are maintained permanently. The student has the right to inspect and review his or her records within 30 days of a written request to do so. The school will not permit release of personally identifiable records without the student s written consent except in the following cases: To officials of other educational institutions in which the student seeks to enroll For the student's financial aid application To accrediting organizations For studies conducted by the school that do not permit identification of the student In an emergency For a judicial order or subpoena Student Complaints A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this instruction with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) toll-free or completing a complaint form which can be obtained on the bureau s internet web site A student who has a concern, complaint, or problem will discuss it first with the involved instructor. For student concerns, complaints, or problems that cannot be resolved through discussion with the instructor, or for issues that are program-related, students are expected to use the following procedure: 1) The student must submit his/her grievance in writing within 10 days of the incident to the School Director. 2) An appointment is made for the student to meet with the School Director to discuss the complaint along with steps to a resolution. 3) If the grievance remains unresolved after meeting with the School Director, the student may file a complaint with the following state agency: The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at: P O Box West Sacramento, CA By phone: (888) or by bppve@dca.ca.gov Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, P.O. Box West Sacramento, CA , tollfree telephone number (888) or by fax (916) Tuition Payment Policies The addendum to this catalog contains current tuition and payment information. All monies must be paid before a student will be given a certificate of completion. It is the student s responsibility to see that his/her tuition is paid regardless of who is paying the tuition. Heritage does not at this time participate in federal and state financial aid programs. If the student obtains a loan to pay for tuition, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus any interest, less the amount of any refund, Student Tuition Recovery Fund You must pay the state-imposed assessment for the student tuition recovery fund (STRF) if all of the following applies: 1) You are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition either by cash, guaranteed student loans, or personal loans, and 2) The total charges are not paid by any third-party payer such as an employer, government program or other payer unless there is a separate agreement to repay to the third-party. You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment if either of the following applies: 1) You are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program, or 2) Your total charges are paid by a third-party, such as an employer, government program or other payer, and you have no separate agreement to repay the third-party. The State of California created the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic losses suffered by students in an educational program who are California residents, or are enrolled in a residency program attending certain schools regulated by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. You may be eligible for STRF if you are a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following: 1. The school closed before the course of instruction was completed. 2. The school's failure to pay refunds or charges on behalf of a student to a third party for license fees or any other purpose, or to provide equipment or materials for which a charge was collected within 180 days before the closure of the school. 3. The school's failure to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federally guaranteed student loan program as required by law or to pay or reimburse proceeds 20