Required Student Clinical Experience Agreement

Click below to be redirected to the following topics on this page

OCCI Overview
Types of OCCI Facilities
Minimum Facility Standards
How to Apply for Facility OCCI Approval
Required Student Clinical Experience Agreement
OCCI Site Application
Preceptor Information
Additional Preceptor Application
Student Required Health Form
Fast Track Labs
Contact Information for OCCI Submission Questions

OCCI OVERVIEW

An approved Off-Campus Clinical Instruction (OCCI) site is a facility located in the student's geographic location which enters into an agreement with San Juan College to provide the student with the hands-on clinical experience and oversight required for completion of an A.A.S. degree in the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDLP).

Each student is responsible for securing a facility willing to serve as an OCCI site
Each approved facility must have one approved designated primary preceptor and may have an unlimited number of additional approved preceptors
Final approval by the San Juan College Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program is required before students will be allowed to register for upper tier courses (tiers 2-4)
Students should allow 90 days from the time formal application is made by the facility to the time of final approval of the facility

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TYPES OF OCCI FACILITIES

COMPANION ANIMAL - Required for all students prior to registering for upper tier courses

All students are required to have an approved Companion Animal (aka small animal) OCCI site and approved preceptor prior to registering for upper tier courses (tiers 2-4). Students must have access to, and be able to utilize the most common species of companion animals, most commonly dogs and cats. In addition, the student must have access to the equipment necessary to perform the required clinical tasks. Facilities that do not have all of the necessary equipment, such as local animal shelters or specialty clinics, may be approved with concerns and with the understanding that students may need to secure a second facility to complete the remainder of their clinical tasks. Although students are encouraged to seek paid employment at their OCCI sites, it is not mandatory, and many students have served as volunteers while completing their clinical requirements.

Courses requiring companion animal OCCI sites: VETT 131, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 220, 221, 222, 230, 232, 236

LARGE ANIMAL (aka Food and Farm Animal) - Only required of tier 4 students who elect not to attend the Fast Track Labs in Waco, Texas

In addition to the companion animal OCCI requirements, tier 4 students are also required to complete clinical tasks on food and farm animals. Students have two options for completing this portion of their clinical requirements. Students may either attend a 3-day Fast Track Lab in Waco, Texas or have a local large animal facility apply for Large Animal OCCI approval. Students in large animal OCCI facilities will be required to perform general equine anesthesia, including the induction of anesthesia, monitoring of the patient, and the successful recovery from anesthesia using either injectable or inhalant anesthesia. The student will be required to do an additional video when taking VETT 233 to meet the course requirements.

VETT 233 and 235 require either a large animal OCCI site (option 1) or participation in Fast Track Labs (option 2)

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MINIMUM FACILITY STANDARDS

To be approved as an off-campus clinical instruction (OCCI) site for the San Juan College Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program, veterinary care facilities must meet certain minimum standards regarding hospital staff, equipment, and practice quality. Each OCCI site must agree to follow these standards in order to be approved. These minimum standards must be met in order to assure that students receive adequate exposure to quality veterinary medical practices and equipment. By submitting the OCCI Site Application form, you are agreeing to abide by these standards.

Click to view Facility Standards

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HOW TO APPLY FOR FACILITY OCCI APPROVAL

Review the information above regarding types of facility approval available to determine which type of approval you will be applying for.
The primary preceptor must complete the online application on behalf of the facility. Please note that a preceptor must be a doctor of veterinary medicine (licensed DVM or VMD), a credentialed veterinary technician (RVT, LVT, CVT), or a graduate of an AVMA approved veterinary technology program.
If there will be more than one preceptor at your facility, the additional preceptors will need to complete the one-page Additional Preceptor Application form.
All veterinary technician applicants will be required to submit a copy of their current state CVT, RVT, or LVT credentials or proof of graduation from an AVMA approved veterinary technology program. DVMs are not required to submit copies of their licenses unless requested by the program director.
Previously approved facilities need not submit an OCCI Site Application when adding preceptors or students. If you are unsure whether or not your facility has been previously approved, please call (505) 566-4047 or email painterc@sanjuancollege.edu with the name and address of the facility.
Proof of Veterinary Technician credentials may be emailed (painterc@sanjuancollege.edu), faxed (505-566-3570) or mailed to:

San Juan College
Veterinary Technology Program
4601 College Blvd.
Farmington, NM 87402
Upon receipt of the OCCI Site Application and proof of technician credentials (if preceptor is a veterinary technician) the file will be forwarded to the program director for preliminary approval.
Once preliminary approval is obtained, a Student Clinical Experience Agreement will be generated and mailed to the attention of the primary preceptor at the facility address on file. A status update email will be sent to the primary preceptor and student(s) notifying them that the agreement has been mailed.
The primary preceptor must sign and return the original copy of the agreement in the envelope that will be provided. When the signed agreement is received by the Veterinary Technology Program office, it will be forwarded to our Risk Management department for review and sent to our Dean of Trades and Technology for signature. Risk Management will retain an electronic copy and the original will be returned to the facility.
Final approval will be given once the above agreement is signed by both the primary preceptor and the Dean of Trades and Technology. The primary preceptor, students, and program advisor will be notified by email when the contract is fully executed and the students are cleared for registration into upper tier courses.

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REQUIRED STUDENT CLINICAL EXPERIENCE AGREEMENT

Prior to final approval of an OCCI facility, a Student Clinical Experience Agreement must be signed by the facility and San Juan College. Upon receipt of the OCCI site application and preliminary approval by the VTDLP program director, two copies of the agreement will be mailed to the primary preceptor. The primary preceptor must then sign both copies of the agreement and mail the originals back to the college for signature by the school dean. Please note that delays in the primary preceptor's return of the signed agreement will result in the student's inability to register for needed upper tier courses. The primary preceptor is therefore encouraged to review the sample agreement below, to ensure that he or she is aware of the terms contained within.

Sample-Student-Clinical-Experience-Agreement.pdf

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OCCI SITE APPLICATION FORMS

The applications must be completed by an authorized person of the facility applying to act as the primary preceptor for the facility. The form must be completed and submitted online.

Companion animal OCCI sites are required for all students registering for tiers 2-4. This application should be made early in tier 1, as only students with an approved OCCI facility will be allowed to register for tier 2 courses. Processing time varies but may take up to 90 days, depending on the volume of applications received, scheduled campus closings and the speed of the facility in providing veterinary technician credential documentation (when applicable) and the signed Student Clinical Experience Agreement.

Companion Animal OCCI Application

Large animal OCCI sites are only required of tier 4 students who elect not to attend the Fast Track Labs in Waco Texas. This application should be completed when the student is in tier 3 of the program requirements. Please note that the Large Animal OCCI Application is currently under construction. Please check back in a few days.

Large Animal OCCI Application

Upon submission, an email verifying that the application was received will be sent to the primary preceptor at the email address provided in the application.

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PRECEPTOR INFORMATION

The Role of Preceptors

Students are also required to have one or more preceptors in their practice to guide them through their studies. The preceptor(s) must be a veterinarian or a credentialed veterinary technician. The preceptor serves as the student's mentor and as an instructor in clinical exercises.

Preceptor Responsibilities

An approved preceptor must monitor all course required clinical hands-on tasks.
Preceptors are encouraged to obtain feedback from all practice personnel as to the student's progress and performance during the course, but only preceptors should directly monitor and evaluate the required Course Task Checklists in upper tier classes.

Preceptors are encouraged to monitor the students’ grade book to ensure that the student is on schedule and completing assignments and exams at the required time intervals.

Preceptors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the course guide, preceptor handbook, and course requirements to prevent any delay in the progress of the student through the course assignments.

Preceptors should maintain the strictest standards of academic honesty and integrity.

Many assignments are based on video or text reading assignments. Preceptors should feel free to assist students in these activities. Preceptors can help clarify the material, answer specific questions, or offer personal insights into the functions of a veterinary practice.

Preceptors should be willing to dedicate the time required to accomplish their responsibilities to help ensure the success of the student. It will usually take two hours per week per class of general clinical time to complete preceptor duties.

Preceptors are encouraged to contact the student’s course instructor if they have any questions or concerns and to facilitate good communication.

Preceptor Requirements

Preceptors must possess one of the following credentials:

A DVM/VMD degree from an AVMA accredited institution
Be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in their state
Be a graduate of an AVMA/CVTEA accredited program of veterinary technology
Be credentialed as an R.V.T or its equivalent
All foreign credentials will be considered on a case-by-case basis

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ADDITIONAL PRECEPTOR APPLICATION

In addition to the primary preceptor, facilities may apply to have additional preceptors approved. The requirements for approval as an additional preceptor are the same as those for primary preceptors. A preceptor must be a doctor of veterinary medicine (licensed DVM or VMD) or a credentialed veterinary technician (RVT, LVT, CVT or a graduate of an AVMA approved veterinary technology program). Furthermore, all veterinary technician applicants will be required to submit a copy of their current state licensure or proof of graduation from an approved veterinary technology program.

There is no limit to the number of qualified applicants that may be approved. It is important to note that facility approval does not extend automatic approval to all DVMs and veterinary technicians at that facility. Only those DVMs and veterinary technicians who have made application and been formally approved by the program are allowed to sign off on student course task checklists (CTCs), and only after they have personally observed the student performing the required tasks.

The primary preceptor who submitted the facility OCCI Site Application is not required to complete this form. Conversely, persons applying to be added to a facility that has been previously approved, or is currently in the process of being approved, should not submit another facility application form.

Below is the link to the Additional Preceptor Application.

Additional Preceptor Application

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STUDENT REQUIRED HEALTH FORM

A Health Risk and Liability Acknowledgment form must be on file for each student prior to registering for upper tier courses. The form must be signed by the student in front of a notary public and must have a visible seal or notary stamp for it to be accepted. The student need only complete this form one time. Students may mail, fax, or email the completed form using the contact information at the bottom of this page.

Health Risk and Liability Acknowledgement

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FAST TRACK LABS

The Student may attend a Fast Track Lab which will satisfy the program requirements for large animal clinical experience, as well as the required laboratory animal tasks. No video is required for this option. This is the most popular option with students. For additional details on the Fast Track Labs, click on the link below. Click here to view a short presentation regarding the Fast Track Lab option

UPCOMING FAST TRACK LABS:

Fall Semester: October 27-28, 2016

Spring Semester: March 2017 (specific dates to be determined)

Summer Semester: June 2017 (specific dates to be determined)

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Cindy Painter
painterc@sanjuancollege.edu
(505) 566-4047

MAILING ADDRESS:
San Juan College
Veterinary Technology Department
4601 College Blvd.
Farmington, NM 87402

FAX:(505) 566-3570

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