VTS (ECC) study plan
VTS (ECC) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Emergency and Critical Care (advanced skills, work experience, and continuing education in ECC)
List the components of a systematic primary (ABCDE) and secondary emergency assessment and state the action triggered by each abnormal finding
Calculate and interpret common emergency drug constant-rate infusions (e.g., lidocaine, dopamine, fentanyl) from patient weight and bag volume
Demonstrate (verbally or in practice) correct setup and troubleshooting of a fluid pump, syringe pump, and oxygen delivery circuit
Identify normal vs. abnormal parameters on ECG, indirect blood pressure, pulse oximetry, and capnography, and state one corrective action for each abnormality
Your checkpoint
One-page CRI calculation and monitoring-parameter cheat sheet, self-tested to 90% accuracy on 20 practice calculations
Emergency and Critical Care (advanced skills, work experience, and continuing education in ECC)
Sequence the interventions for cardiopulmonary arrest using RECOVER-aligned basic and advanced life support principles
Differentiate shock types (hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive) by clinical signs and select initial fluid or drug therapy for each
Explain indications, contraindications, and monitoring for blood products and colloid versus crystalloid resuscitation
Practice closed-chest CPR compression technique and drug administration routes on a training manikin or model
Your checkpoint
Written CPR algorithm card (compressions, ventilation rate, drug doses, reversal agents) reviewed against current literature
Emergency and Critical Care (advanced skills, work experience, and continuing education in ECC)
Describe stabilization priorities for common toxicities (e.g., rodenticide, chocolate, ethylene glycol, pyrethrin) including decontamination and antidote use
Outline nursing management of the trauma patient: pain scoring, wound classification, bandaging, and monitoring for deterioration
Explain ventilator and oxygen therapy basics, including signs of respiratory distress and when to escalate
Interpret a set of arterial or venous blood gas values and identify the primary acid-base disturbance
Your checkpoint
Case write-up of one toxicity or trauma scenario with prioritized interventions and monitoring plan
Emergency and Critical Care (advanced skills, work experience, and continuing education in ECC) & General Veterinary Technology and Professional Practice
Apply infection control and biosecurity practices (isolation, PPE, disinfection protocols) to a critical-care setting scenario
Explain how to obtain informed consent and communicate cost estimates and prognosis to an anxious client
Summarize legal and ethical responsibilities of the veterinary technician in emergency practice (scope of practice, record keeping, controlled substances)
Complete a timed mixed-domain practice set and analyze missed items by domain
Your checkpoint
Timed 40-question mixed practice set with a written error analysis identifying weak subdomains
General Veterinary Technology and Professional Practice
Calculate drug doses, dilutions, and fluid rates across species and verify calculations using a second method
Explain anesthetic monitoring parameters and recovery nursing for the stable versus compromised patient
Describe common hematology and chemistry abnormalities and their clinical significance
Outline nursing care for hospitalized patients: nutrition, recumbency, urinary catheter care, and pain assessment tools
Your checkpoint
Calculation worksheet of 25 problems (doses, dilutions, CRI, fluid rates) completed with 90% or better accuracy
General Veterinary Technology and Professional Practice
Summarize veterinary practice regulations, OSHA-relevant workplace safety, and radiation safety principles
Explain client education and preventive care recommendations across life stages
Describe proper handling, labeling, and logging of controlled substances and prescription requirements
Identify quality-improvement and record-keeping standards relevant to a credentialed technician
Your checkpoint
Two-page summary sheet of regulatory, safety, and record-keeping essentials with a 10-item self-quiz
Emergency and Critical Care (advanced skills, work experience, and continuing education in ECC) & General Veterinary Technology and Professional Practice
Integrate ECC and general nursing knowledge by working through multi-step case scenarios end to end
Practice explaining a complex clinical concept aloud in under two minutes to build recall and communication
Review previously missed practice questions and correct the underlying knowledge gap for each
Complete a full-length timed mock exam under test-day conditions
Your checkpoint
Full-length timed mock exam score with a domain-by-domain breakdown and prioritized review list
Emergency and Critical Care (advanced skills, work experience, and continuing education in ECC) & General Veterinary Technology and Professional Practice
Re-drill the top five weakest subdomains identified in the mock exam
Recite key emergency drug doses, calculations, and algorithms from memory without references
Simulate test-day logistics: timing, breaks, and question-flagging strategy
Consolidate a one-page final review sheet of high-yield facts across both domains
Your checkpoint
Final one-page high-yield review sheet plus a second timed mini-exam showing improvement over week 7
Milestones
Week 2: Can state CPR sequence and core emergency drug doses from memory without notes
Week 4: Mixed practice set score of 70% or higher with error analysis complete
Week 6: Calculation worksheet at 90% accuracy and regulatory summary sheet finished
Week 7: Full-length mock exam completed with domain breakdown and review list
Week 8: Second timed mini-exam shows measurable improvement over week 7 baseline