VSPN TECH330-0121: Critical Hematologic Disorders

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Enrollment is closed.

Presenter: Melissa Evans LVT, VTS (ECC)
Course Open: January 26-March 5, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2021; 8:30-10:00pm ET
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be open to veterinary technicians/technologists, and support staff actively interested in canine and feline hematological disorders.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-799194)“

Course Information:
Hemostasis is the process by which the body halts bleeding. When there is a breakdown in the mechanism of hemostasis critical bleeding disorders can occur. This course will review the coagulation cascade and normal hemostasis. We will then examine congenital and acquired bleeding disorders, hemolytic disorders and hypercoagulable states. Each session will discuss the clinical signs associates with these disorders and procedures used to diagnose these disorders. Important nursing considerations for each disease process will also be discussed.

Week 1 (Real Time Session February 2): Coagulation and Hemostasis
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Examine how the coagulation cascade works.
  • Differentiate between the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
  • Analyze the difference between primary and secondary hemostasis.
  • Discuss the three stages of blood clotting and the parts of the blood associated with each.
Week 2 (Real Time Session February 9): Congenital and Acquired bleeding disorders
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Examine common congenital and acquired bleeding disorders.
  • Review the laboratory tests used to diagnose bleeding disorders.
  • Describe blood products and pharmacological agents used in management of these disorders.
Week 3 (Real Time Session February 16): Hemolytic Disorders
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Describe toxins that cause hemolysis.
  • Review the signs of methemoglobinemia.
  • Discuss the pathophysiology of Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA).
  • Examine treatment options for patients with acute hemolytic disorders.
Week 4 (Real Time Session February 23): Hypercoagulable States
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to
  • Review Virchow’s Triad.
  • Identify disease states that lead to thrombophilia.
  • Examine the pathophysiology of Protein Losing Nephropathy (PLN).
  • Discuss treatment options for hypercoagulable patients.
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Presenter:
Melissa Evans, LVT, VTS (ECC) started her second career as a credentialed veterinary technician in 2013 after graduating from Bergen Community College. Before that she was a struggling actress who volunteered with animals as often as possible, learning all that she could before realizing that the next step was to just take care of animals all the time. Melissa has spent her entire veterinary career working in specialty hospitals as an Emergency, ICU and Critical Care Technician. In 2018 she earned her Veterinary Technician Specialty in Emergency and Critical Care. Melissa currently works as a per diem ECC Technician at multiple specialty hospitals throughout New York City and New Jersey. In her position as owner of Melissa Evans, VTS (ECC) - Veterinary Nurse Consulting, she regularly lectures on emergency and critical care topics. As a RECOVER CPR Certified Instructor for both BLS and ALS, she also offers CPR workshops. Melissa has experience working in shelter, wildlife, and disaster medicine. You can find her work published in the NAVTA Journal and as a regular contributor to petplace.com.

Total CE Credit: 6

Tuition: $126 ($113 early bird special if enrolled by January 12, 2021)
* Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CVMA approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).

Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on February 2, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-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. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed.

“This program has been approved for 6 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (20-799194)“

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