AGV 920 - Spanish for the Veterinary Technician

This course is designed to meet the needs of students of veterinary technology who will practice in an environment in which the use of Spanish for accurate client communication is essential. Students will acquire a working vocabulary of technical and clinical veterinary terms which will enable them to communicate professionally with Spanish speaking clients, farm managers, or other animal care givers. They will able to ascertain accurate client information and schedule appointments. They will identify the clients primary complaint, take a clinical or farm history which will allow them to correctly identify the animals disease condition. Finally they will accurately communicate prescribed treatments and follow up care with clients. Students will be provided resources for reference or further study in their species of interest.
Prerequisite: Three years of high school Spanish or two semesters of Elementary Spanish or Instructor Approval
Competencies

1. Reception of the client.
   1. Greet clients.
   2. Solicit and record accurate client information such as name, address, billing information etc.
   3. Communicate fee schedules, payment options and collect fees
2. Determine the client’s reason for the visit.
   1. Find out the type of care is required: Emergency care, office or farm visit, routine well patient care or herd health care.
   2. Solicit a brief clinical history.
   3. If the visit is for routine wellness, check records for vaccination, routine visits, dental care, nutritional care etc.
   4. If it is for injury or illness, determine if he animal is in distress, injured, ill, giving birth etc.
   5. Determine the primary symptoms.
   6. Determine for how long the animal has displayed these symptoms.
   7. Determine if the animal has been seen by this clinic previously for the same condition.
   8. Ascertain current treatments for patient.
   9. Schedule the appointment with the veterinarian.
3. Assist in the performance of a physical exam.
   1. Convey to the client the need for restraining the animal. There will be species specific vocabulary such as a twitch, halter, leash etc.
   2. Tell the client what you are going to do ie. Listen to its breathing, take radiographs, give it medication etc.
4. Assist the veterinarian.
   1. Communicate the problem to the veterinarian.
   2. Accurately communicate the clinical history and ask the client to elaborate when clarification is needed.
   3. Tell the client what the veterinarian is going to do to the animal- take radiographs, give it an injection, hospitalize it, take blood for tests, anaesthetize the animal etc.
5. Communicate follow up care through client education and instruction.
   1. Confirm that the client knows how to administer medications.
   2. Confirm that the client can identify symptoms that require further care.
   3. Give instructions on taking stool samples, feeding, changing of bandages , husbandry etc.
   4. Schedule follow-up appointments.
6. Educate the client about husbandry.
   1. Recommend licensure for the pet owner or animal caregiver.
   2. Convey vaccination requirements.
   3. Convey requirements for health papers if animals are transported or sold.
   4. Educate the client on the need for proper nutrition and wellness exams.
7. Ethic and Culture