VSPN STAF121-2019: Veterinary Medical Terminology-The Basics Non-Interactive

This course is a self-paced, non-interactive course.

Enrollment is closed.
Instructor: Barb Burri, MEd, MBA, CVT, LVT
Course Open: January 2, 2019-July 31, 2019

Level and Prerequisites: This basic course is focused towards front desk/client service staff, veterinary assistants, and veterinary technician students and concentrates on decoding veterinary medical terms.
VSPN CE Course: This course has been RACE approved for veterinary technicians only as a non-interactive course. (RACE program #22-18169)
Veterinary Information Network’s RACE provider number is #22.

Course Description:
Veterinary staff must be able to interpret client and layman terms and translate to veterinary terms and vice versa. As such, a clear understanding of medical terminology is an important part of daily activities in any veterinary practice. Correct use of terminology in the veterinary workplace enhances client education and practice-wide communication. This course will introduce the concept of breaking down medical terms into their component root words, prefixes and suffixes for ease of understanding. Terminology by body system will be introduced, and the participant will be able to “decode” medical terms, as well as demonstrate the correct medical terms for many signs and symptoms. Medical terms for the body parts, as well as terms for diseases, pathologies, diagnostics and treatments for each body system will be covered. This is a terminology course and will not branch into the physiology of various diseases and conditions.

This course will consist of 8 (eight) non-interactive segments that are in the form of videos to be watched. Segments will also include handouts to be read, and a mandatory end of course test. To earn a certificate of participation, you must attain a score of 80% or higher on the end of course test. The eight segments and reading library handouts should take the participant a minimum of 120 minutes total. Participants must complete participation requirements by December 31, 2019 to be eligible to earn a certificate of participation.

Course Outline:
Segments 1-3: The Basisc of Veterinary Medical Terminology and Body Structure
Segment 1 total time + reading: 25 minutes
Segment 2 total time: 15 minutes
Segment 3 total time: 20 minutes
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Decode and define medical terms and decipher their meaning based on root words, prefixes and suffixes.
  • Demonstrate correct use of medical terms and effectively communicate with staff and clients for a patient's clinical signs, symptoms, and treatments.
  • Associate medical terms as they relate to the individual body systems.
Segments 4-6: The Muscle, Circulatory, Nervous, Respiratory and Integumentary Systems
Segment 4 total time + reading: 15 minutes
Segment 5 total time: 10 minutes
Segment 6 total time: 15 minutes
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Decode and define medical terms and decipher their meaning based on root words, prefixes and suffixes.
  • Demonstrate correct use of medical terms and effectively communicate with staff and clients for a patient's clinical signs, symptoms, and treatments.
  • Associate medical terms as they relate to the individual body systems.
Segments 7-8: The Urinary, Reproductive, Endocrine and Digestive Systems
Segment 7 total time + reading: 20 minutes
Segment 8 total time: 25 minutes
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Decode and define medical terms and decipher their meaning based on root words, prefixes and suffixes.
  • Demonstrate correct use of medical terms and effectively communicate with staff and clients for a patient's clinical signs, symptoms, and treatments.
  • Associate medical terms as they relate to the individual body systems.

Required Textbook: There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Instructor:
Barb Burri is the CE Content Wrangler for VSPN and an adjunct faculty member at Great Bay Community College in their veterinary technology program. Barb teaches several other VSPN CE courses.

Total CE Credit: 2

Tuition: $42
All prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close at 5pm ET on July 1, 2019, or when the maximum number of participants is reached.
*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
  4. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

*Note: “This program (22-18169) is approved for 2 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. “

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357