VSPN TECH331-2020: Role of the Veterinary Surgical Scrub Tech

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

Enrollment is closed.
Presenter: Heidi Reuss-Lamky, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia, Surgery), FFCP
Course Open: July 1, 2020-December 31, 2020
Self Paced Course no Real Time Sessions

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course will be open to veterinary technicians/technologists, support staff, etc. - actively interested in the role of the veterinary surgical scrub technician.
VSPN CE Course: Open to veterinary technicians/technologists and support staff.
“This program has been approved for 1 hour of non-interactive continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval."(22-42596)

Course Description:
Often described as the surgeon’s primary assistant, veterinary surgical scrub technician (VSST) play an important role as part of the surgical team. Notable features of a great scrub tech include familiarity with the surgical procedure, surgeon’s preferences and needs, as well as the ability to anticipate, even when things go wrong. VSSTs can augment the veterinarian’s recommendations to the client surrounding their pet’s surgical procedure as well as assist with client education during all phases of care (pre-, intra- and post-operative.)

Role of the Veterinary Surgical Scrub Technician
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Identify the types of organisms capable of causing disease and infection.
  • Identify the purpose of a surgical checklist.
  • Describe duties and responsibilities of a veterinary surgical scrub technician.
  • Define positive attributes of an ideal veterinary surgical scrub technician.
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:
Heidi Reuss-Lamky, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia, Surgery), FFCP graduated from Michigan State University’s Veterinary Technology Program in 1984. She has extensive experience in general practice, and since 1993 has devoted her technical expertise to the surgical department of specialty hospitals. She has been affiliated with Oakland Veterinary Referral Services in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, since 2006. Heidi is a prolific author and lecturer, presenting anesthesia, surgical nursing, and Fear Free-related topics at veterinary meetings worldwide. She most recently published Chapter 8, “Waste Anesthetic Gas Collection and Consequences,” in Veterinary Anesthetic and Monitoring Equipment, edited by Kristen Cooley and Rebecca Johnson. Heidi is an ardent advocate for the veterinary technology profession, serves as a consultant for many allied veterinary industries, and was honored to receive the 2013 NAVC Dr. Jack L. Mara Memorial Lecturer award. Heidi currently shares her home with her husband, Bryan, and 3 dogs, 2 cats, an African grey parrot and pond koi. In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding, gardening, travel, lecturing, and quenching her never-ending thirst for knowledge.

Total CE Credit: 1

Tuition: $21

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on December 1, 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 1 hour of non-interactive continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval."(22-42596)

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