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CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant Program General Information

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CVMA CVA School Program Information

 

The CVMA Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVMA CVA) program is offered to high schools, regional occupational programs, and technical colleges in partnership with veterinarians and RVTs who serve as mentors and program advisors.

 

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

  • 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).

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.

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

CVMA CVA Program Level I

The CVMA CVA program increases participants’ 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.  Students are required to view more than 150 videos and written materials online.

 

Experience 

 

Students will complete a minimum of 500 hours practical veterinary assisting experience, at least 250 hours with live animals in a hospital setting, up to 250 hours laboratory time. CVMA CVA students are required to gain practical, real-world experience and demonstrate competency in over 100 skills under the supervision of a California-licensed veterinarian or RVT.

 

Evaluation 

A mentor veterinarian or RVT will evaluate the student’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 Level II

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
  • Auxiliary Skills

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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