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CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant Program General Information

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CVMA CVA Program for RVT Schools

 

The CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVMA CVA) program is offered to accredited Registered Veterinary Technician programs in California in partnership with veterinarians and RVTs who serve as mentors and program advisors. Many RVT programs have found that the CVMA CVA program compliments their curriculum, aids in teaching, and provides enrolled students with an additional certificate upon completing the program.

 

The CVMA established the CVMA CVA program in order to provide veterinary practitioners with more qualified, professional, and productive employees in the traditional entry-level positions of the veterinary support staff.

 

The CVMA CVA program emphasizes basic training and skills in a variety of areas, including medical care, client communication, and practice safety through online learning and experience in a veterinary practice.

 

 

As an added benefit, CVMA CVAs receive one year of complimentary CVMA membership after completion of Level I certification! 

 

Program Fees

 

  • CVMA CVA Course Fee: $295 Per Learner, Per Certification Level
  • CVMA CVA Final Exam Retest Fee: $55

 

Renewal Program

 

To maintain certification, 10 hours of continuing education units are required every two years plus a minimal certificate renewal fee ($30 CVMA Members/$100 Non-Members).

 

Registration

School Administrators may sign up by contacting Jessica Gray at Patterson Veterinary Academy at jessica.gray@pattersonvet.com.

 

CVMA CVA Program Details

With the CVMA CVA program, participants increase their knowledge through online education materials, practical experience, evaluation (skills assessments), and a written examination.

Participants learn topics including: 

 

  • Medical terminology
  • Breed identification
  • How to give medications
  • Proper lifting and restraining techniques
  • How to safely handle chemicals
  • And much more

 

Education 

Complete, with a passing grade, a minimum of nine months or two semesters of an approved high school or adult learning curriculum designed to prepare students for employment in the animal care industry.  Applicants are required to view more than 150 videos and written materials online.

 

Experience  

The experience required to complete the AVMA approved RVT program will meet the experience requirement for the CVMA CVA program.

 

Evaluation  

Mentors will evaluate the applicant’s ability to accomplish 100 skills from these areas of the task list:

  • Communication and Client Relations
  • Office Procedures and Medical Terminology
  • Animal Identification
  • Animal Restraint
  • Safety Concerns and Cleanliness
  • Auxiliary Skills
  • Pharmacy and Pharmacology
  • Laboratory Procedures
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Veterinary Dentistry
  • Surgical Preparation and Assisting

 

Examination 

To become certified for two years, upon completion of the experience and education components, applicants must pass a certification exam.  The online exam consists of 100 randomly generated questions. The applicant will have a two-hour time limit to complete the exam and must score 75% or higher.

 

CVMA CVA Program General Requirements

  • Applicant must be 16 years of age or older.
  • Practice, in conjunction with the school must designate a California-licensed DVM or RVT mentor.
  • Renewal Program – 10 hours of continuing education units are required every two years after certification.

 

CVMA CVA Level II Program

Level I CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistants can further advance their knowledge in the CVMA CVA Level II program! CVMA CVAs will complete the online education component and the evaluation component (skills assessments task list) in this advanced program. Participants of the CVMA CVA Level II program will learn about topics including:

  • Recognizing Diseases and Symptoms
  • Anatomy
  • Cytology/Laboratory
  • Fluid Therapy and Medications
  • Wound Care/Triage Emergency
  • Dentistry
  • Exotics

 

Applicants are required to view 130 videos and written materials through online education and accomplish tasks from the level II skills task list. They will also be required to pass a final written examination (passing score of 80% required). A student is eligible to take this test for the Level II course if they are a current CVMA CVA in good standing.

 

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