Learners examine interdisciplinary roles and responsibilities needed to be successful in an administrative support role within healthcare. Through an exploration of wellness, resilience, communication, teamwork, diversity, and reconciliation, learners apply strategies to enhance self-awareness and workplace relationships.

In this course learners are introduced to Canadian health care system structure, legislation, and information systems. Learners explore how the principles of safety, confidentiality, privacy, and security apply to the health care setting.

Medical Terminology introduces learners to industry accepted language and conventions in health care. This course provides learners an opportunity to interpret and apply commonly used medical terms, symbols, and abbreviations.

This course is an introduction to the health management of canine and feline companion animals. Learners begin with an exploration of canine and feline anatomy and physiology. Nutrition, common health issues, and preventative strategies are examined across the different life stages. It is recommended that HUCL1401 is taken concurrently when enrolling in this course.

The administrative role of the veterinary office assistant includes several tasks that relate to finance in the veterinary clinic. Learners develop knowledge and skills related to payroll, inventory management, invoicing, pet insurance, and communicating with clients about financial matters. Learners use veterinary management software to demonstrate inventory management and financial transactions.

Confident business communication requires learners to explore the changing landscape of digital media, while developing writing skills and techniques to compose competent, professional communications. In this course, learners explore research tools to aid in effective oral presentations and strengthen interpersonal skills to be an effective communicator in the Canadian workplace.

This course is aimed at providing a hands-on learning experience with a Windows operating system and computer applications (Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint) used in a business environment. Learners will develop skills and gain experience to create business documents, navigate, consolidate, and analyze data across multiple worksheets, manage professional communications, and create electronic presentations.

Learners examine the scope of practice of the Veterinary Office Assistant (VOA) from a clinical skills perspective. Learners examine laboratory diagnostics, procedures, and tools. Preparation and maintenance of the clinical environment and the role of the VOA in preparing and caring for patients are demonstrated. Learners explore how to recognize emergency situations as they present at a veterinary clinic. The use of pharmaceuticals in the veterinary office is also discussed.

This course will introduce the learner to canine and feline body language, how animals may behave in different settings including, shelters, hospital exam rooms, hospital treatment rooms, and kennels. This course includes how to read and interpret body language in these stressful environments. The learner will practice how to handle these animals for a variety of procedures, minimizing stress and maximizing safety for patient and handler.

Learners explore the role and responsibilities of the Veterinary Office Assistant (VOA). The focus is on developing verbal and written communication, reception management, client care, and administrative skills. Additionally, learners examine the role of the VOA in scheduling and supporting clients during euthanasia appointments. Learners use veterinary management software to implement administrative tasks throughout the course.

In this course, learners apply the skills learned throughout their program to develop potential solutions to real-world problems faced by industry and community. Learners have the opportunity to demonstrate applied research, critical reflection, communication, and presentation skills while providing a viable, evidence-based, practical response to an identified need.

In this course, learners have the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service along with instruction and critical reflection to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. Learners work in partnership with a community-based organization(s) to apply their disciplinary knowledge to a challenge identified by the community.

In this Field Placement course, learners in the veterinary office assistant program can transition from the academic to the professional world by applying knowledge and skills learned in previous courses to real-world projects and activities. Learners have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of being a professional and learn about current workplace expectations while connecting with community and industry partners.