VSPN TECH254-0620: Triage

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

Enrollment is closed.
Presenter: Justin Chandlr AAS, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC)
Course Open: June 4, 2020-July 5, 2020
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Thursdays, June 11, 18, 25, 2020; 8:30-10:00pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

Level and Prerequisites: This basic course is focused towards all veterinary support staff and concentrates on triage systems, phone triaging, and how to clinically triage the emergent patient.
VSPN CE Course: “This program has been approved for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(22-41442)"

Course Description:
Do you have trouble determining which pets should come to the hospital when owners call with concerns? Are you nervous about evaluating emergency patients that walk into your clinic or hospital? Do emergencies get your adrenal glands pumping or make you want to go and hide in the bathroom? This course is for you! Join us for this basic course geared to all staff members at the veterinary hospital. We’ll learn about the evolution of triage, different systems of triage, and tools to use to triage patients in the hospital. The course will also give you tips on getting the best information over the phone, so every pet receives the care it needs. Triage – done correctly – means the difference between life and death for some patients. Be sure you have the knowledge to help make your triage efforts successful.

Week 1 (Real Time Session June 11): History of Triage and Triage Levels
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • describe different levels of triage.
  • discuss different triage systems.
  • examine various categorizations helpful for veterinary triage.
Week 2 (Real Time Session June 18): Telephone Triage: Does My Dog Need to Be Seen Tonight?
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • ask open-ended questions on the phone to determine if an animal needs to be seen urgently.
  • give examples of appropriate triage and defend triage decisions.
Week 3 (Real Time Session June 25): Triage at the Clinic: A CRASH PLAN
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • recall the steps to completing a triage (or primary) survey.
  • recognize signs of life-threatening conditions when an animal presents to the clinic.
  • discuss the steps to be taken after an animal is appropriately triaged.
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: There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Presenter:
Justin Chandlr AAS, CVT, LVT, VTS (ECC) started out in the veterinary field in 1998, first learning on the job as a veterinary assistant and progressing to veterinary technician in a private clinical practice setting. He earned an Associate in Applied Science degree in Veterinary Technology from San Juan College in December 2007. In 2007 he changed jobs and started pursuing his passion in Emergency and Critical Care in a Specialty and Referral Hospital in New Jersey. After years of advanced training and intensive learning, Justin applied for and passed the certification exam for the Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians and Nurses (AVECCTN), earning his Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care in 2014. In 2016, Justin was recruited to become the Head Veterinary Technician at Greater Staten Island Veterinary Services. Justin’s special interests include cardiovascular emergencies, ophthalmic emergencies, veterinary math, shock, and more. He has lectured at various local, state, and national veterinary conferences, and enjoys teaching online and in-person. Justin has been active in AVECCTN volunteering as a mentor and serving on the appeals committee. Currently Justin is a Member at Large serving as part of the Board of Directors for AVECCTN.

Total CE Credit: 4.5

Tuition: $95 ($86 early bird special if enrolled by May 21, 2020)
* 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 June 11, 2020 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 4.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.(22-41442)

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. 797 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. 797
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