VET TECH 2020RW - Clinical Studies B

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This course will develop student's knowledge, skills and expertise essential for successful performance of veterinary technologists in the fields of veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia; and emergency and critical care with focus on small animals. The aim of Clinical Studies B is to provide information and experiences that will prepare students for clinical practice and safely execute the role of anaesthesia and critical care technologists. Theory and practical skills will cover anaesthesia and emergency and critical care with focus on companion animals. It is expected that students will develop appropriate competency in professional communication, interpersonal and attitudinal attributes while developing their technical skills.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code VET TECH 2020RW
    Course Clinical Studies B
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites Completion of Level I of Bachelor of Veterinary Technology program
    Corequisites VET TECH 2025
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Veterinary Technology students only
    Assessment On course assessment, mid-semester and end of semester exams
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Carolyn Botes

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
    1 Demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of anaesthesia and analgesia of the veterinary patient.
    2 Apply knowledge and skills in emergency/critical care, patient monitoring, fluid therapy and supportive care of clinical problems in domestic animals.
    3 Select, prepare and maintain the appropriate equipment for anaesthesia and anaesthetic monitoring of veterinary patients.
    4 Describe the pharmacological and physiological action of the commonly-used anaesthetic, tranquilizing and analgesic drugs.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    1, 2

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    1, 2

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    .

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    .

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1, 2
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered by the following means:

    3 x 1hr lectures 1 x 1 hr online tutorial and 1 x 4hr practicals per week.

    Tutorials are designed to aid students with revision of the course material, and in preparation for the practical sessions and summative assessment tasks. They will also expand and deepen the students’ knowledge base and understanding of the course material, through the use of case studies. Tutorials will be delivered online and will involve interaction with articles and/or demonstrative videos, followed by a short formative quiz (consisting of MCQs and/or short answer questions), for which immediate feedback will be provided.

    Practicals will involve the performance of various clinical skills, and will also include case-based problem-solving activities directly relating to, and expanding on, the clinical skill in question. Students are expected to prepare for practical sessions by accessing the relevant materials on MyUni and by completing the relevant online tutorial session.

    Assessment feedback will be uploaded onto MyUni in the form of a written document, video demonstration, pre-recorded presentation or discussion via Zoom scheduled meeting (which will also be recorded for student access at a later stage).

    Students should contact the course coordinator directly via email for any urgent or routine enquiries.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements:

    A student enrolled in a 3-unit course should expect to spend, on average, 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the Structured Learning Activities (i.e., 3 hours of lectures and 4 hours of practicals per week), as well as non-contact self-directed study (e.g., 5 hours of reading, revision and/or practical preparation; this includes the completion of a 1-hour online tutorial).


    Average workload per week: 12 hours per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    This course is divided into two components: Anaesthesia & Analgesia and Emergency & Critical care.

    Anaesthesia & Analgesia
    • Preoperative Assessment & Preparation of the Patient
    • Anaesthetic & Analgesic Drugs
    • Monitoring
    • Anaesthesia Complications
    • Workplace Safety
    • Large Animal Anaesthesia
    • Species anaesthesia other than horses, dogs and cats
    Emergency & Critical Care
    • Triage & Initial Assessment
    • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
    • Other Emergencies
    • Envenomation
    • Fluid Therapy, Electrolytes, Acid-Base Disorders
    • Transfusion Medicine

    Tutorials

    • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
    • Capnography
    • Drug calculations
    • Thoracic/Abdominal Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (TFAST & AFAST)
    • Blood Gas Analysis
    • Discussion of Common Emergency Anaesthetic Cases (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV), Hemoabdomen, caesarean section etc)
    Practicals
    • Dog Catheters
    • Horse Catheters
    • Anaesthesia machine, vaporiser, breathing systems and intubation
    • Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Ventilators
    • Monitoring Equipment
    • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance at practicals is compulsory.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Hurdle?
    Yes/No
    Learning Outcome Approximate timing of assessment
    Practical Assessment  Formative, Summative 20% Yes 1, 3 From Week 9 to Week 12
    Mid-semester Exam Formative, Summative 20% No 1 - 4 Week 8
    Essay (Case-study) Formative, Summative 20% No 1 - 4
    End of Semester Exam Summative 40% No 1 - 4 Semester 2 examination period
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Assessment Task % needed to meet hurdle requirement If hurdle isn't met, is  additional assessment available? Additional Assessment type if available
    Practical Class Attendance Attendance Compulsory Yes Where possible practical sessions will be repeated for approved absences, where this is not possible an alternate activity will be implemented.
    Practical assessment 50% Yes Additional examination covering all material taught during entire semester with similar format.

    Attendance at practical sessions is compulsory, and is a requirement for passing the course. Where possible, practical sessions will be repeated for approved absences only. Where a repeat practical session is not possible, an alternate activity will be implemented.

    The practical assessment has a hurdle requirement of 50%. An additional practical assessment in the same format will be made available for those who fail to meet the hurdle, or for those with an approved absence. Failure to achieve 50% for the additional practical assessment will result in an overall fail for the course grade.
    Assessment Detail
    Practical assessment (Weighting 20%):
    Students will undertake two practical tasks, weighted 10% each. The practical tasks will consolidate the material and skills taught during practical sessions, tutorials and lectures, as well as enhance the students’ problem-solving abilities. Practical task topics may include the set up and leak testing of the anaesthetic machine, selection and leak testing of an appropriate breathing circuit, and endotracheal intubation.

    Essay - Case-study) (Weighting 20%):
    Students will individually complete a 1500-word essay outlining the anaesthetic risks, preparations, management, monitoring and complications of a selected small animal case study. This case-based essay aims to develop the students’ trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills in veterinary anaesthesia. Students will need to identify and mitigate potential anaesthetic complications inherent to particular high-risk anaesthetic patients. They will also need to develop a plan to monitor for these complications, and must be able to outline how they would appropriately address them should they arise.

    Mid-semester exam (Weighting 20%):
    A mid-semester closed book examination of up to 1.5 hours will be held to test course material delivered up to week 7. The exam may consist of multiple-choice questions, mix-match type questions, true/false and/or short answer questions.

    End-of-semester exam (Weighting 40%):
    An end-of--semester closed book examination of up to 3 hours will be held to test course material delivered over the entire semester. The exam may consist of multiple-choice questions, mix-match type questions, true/false and/or short answer questions.
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted, then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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