Windward CC Veterinary Assisting Program Information Session
Hawai‘i Community College – Pālamanui, Room 102
Kailua-Kona, HI
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
5:30pm -
7:30pm
Windward Community College is preparing more graduates to enter Hawai'i’s veterinary workforce by expanding its Vet Assisting Certificate program to the Big Island of Hawai‘i. The WCC Veterinary Assisting program will begin at Hawai‘i Community College – Pālamanui campus in August 2017.
Interested students can attend a free Information Session:
Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
Hawai‘i Community College – Pālamanui, Room 102
Students will learn about the curriculum and requirements.
More information can be found via the WCC Distance Veterinary Assisting Program Facebook page or by emailing program coordinator Dani Carico.
The Certificate of Achievement in Veterinary Assisting on Hawai‘i Island—offered from August 2017 through May 2018—is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to perform effectively as an assistant in a veterinarian’s office, animal shelter or animal research facility. The 2-semester, 31-credit hybrid program includes online coursework in the life sciences, as well as hands-on experience through labs and internships at local veterinary clinics.
“Historically, 80 to 90 percent of students get jobs right away, and some students in the program are getting hired by clinics even before they graduate,” said Windward CC Chancellor Doug Dykstra.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Hawai‘i Community College to bring Windward Community College’s Veterinary Assisting program to students on the Big Island,” said Jenny Kelly, Windward’s Vet Tech program director. “This is the only program of its kind in the state. By expanding to the neighbor islands, we hope to provide essential training to veterinary staff and increase the standard of animal care throughout Hawai‘i.”
Completion of the certificate is required for admission to the Veterinary Technology Associate in Science degree—accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)—at Windward Community College.
About the Veterinary Technology AS degree program at Windward CC
Windward Community College is the only college in Hawai‘i that offers degree and certificate programs for veterinary paraprofessionals.
The Veterinary Technology AS degree program is an intensive, two-year, 70-credit program that requires many hours of animal handling. Students enrolled in the program receive training in pharmacology, radiology, anesthesiology, surgical assisting, dentistry, nutrition, and veterinary office procedures and will learn how to perform over 300 skill sets deemed essential by the AVMA. Procedures such as dental cleaning, surgical sterilization and x-rays are an essential part of the education.
During the final year of the program, students intern at local veterinary clinics and/or shelters where their skills are evaluated and critiqued by industry professionals. This experience allows students to hone and apply their skills in a real-world setting and serves as a bridge to future employment. For more information about the Vet Tech AS degree, visit windward.hawaii.edu/Veterinary_Studies.
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