In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
This information should be reviewed prior to applying to the program.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made to ensure access to academic programs, activities, services, and employment in accordance with Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. If accommodations are needed, contact the campus Accommodations Specialist or the Northwood Tech Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Officer, at 715-645-7042, TTY 711, 30 days in advance of needed assistance. Services available are documented on the Northwood Tech Accommodations webpage:
Accommodation Services | Northwood Technical College.
For more information, please see Administrative Procedure J-111A Reasonable Accommodation for Student.
Area
Physical Skills
Standard
The student must demonstrate:
- Gross motor for data collection/assessment, intervention, and to promote a safe environment.
- Fine motor/dexterity to manipulate small objects and complete procedures or assessments.
- Endurance, strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, and coordination to perform patient care activities and emergency procedures.
Examples (Not Inclusive)
- Transfer a patient from one place to another safely and without harm to self or patient
- Draw up medication into a syringe with accurate dosage and hold a syringe/needle for injection in a manner that demonstrates safe and infection control practices
- Hold and manipulate small items such intravenous catheters to safely place in patient’s vein
- Intervene when a patient’s safety or health is in jeopardy, such as maneuvering a patient to a safe position or performing chest compressions
- Safely restrain small and large animal patients in a variety of weight-bearing positions
- Ability to maneuver in such a way to manage an intractable patient
Sensory Skills
The student must demonstrate:
- Vision sufficient for observation and assessment of patient care.
- Tactile, auditory, visual, and olfactory ability for data collection/assessment and to promote a safe care environment.
- Ability to tolerate tactile, visual, and olfactory exposure to odors and common allergens.
- Visually identify changes in patient's condition, such as pallor, cyanosis
- Visually identify normal vs abnormal diagnostic test results based on changes in color, texture, viscosity
- Perform health assessment auscultations (i.e., lung, heart, and bowel sounds, blood pressure) and identify accurate assessments
- Collect, clean, or interact with blood and body fluid of animal patients
Communication Skills
The student must have the ability to:
- Communicate effectively with patients, clients, peers, supervisors, members of the public, and other healthcare professionals.
- Observe, recognize, respond to, and use appropriate non-verbal communication.
- Listen and respond to others in a nonjudgmental, respectful manner.
- Speak, read, comprehend, interpret, and convey information.
- Produce written work legibly, accurately, and in a timely manner.
- Read and understand digital and computer displays, as well as enter data in a computerized patient record.
- Cope with strong emotions and adapt to unpredictable situations.
- Clearly articulate information such as health information, plan of care or step-by-step instructions
- Adjust body language based on the situation to demonstrate nonjudgmental and respectful communication.
- Use language (i.e., verbal, and nonverbal) and regulate tone of voice to demonstrate positive regard for others communicating sensitive information or emotions
- Read health information, to provide client education on plan of care or health conditions
- Document and use data from electronic health records to inform the healthcare team decisions for patient care
- Focus attention on patient needs despite interruptions and multiple demands
Safety Skills
The student must have the ability to:
- Apply knowledge, skills, and experience to provide a safe environment for the patient, self, client, and the healthcare team.
- Respond appropriately to threatening or emergent situations.
- Adhere to safety guidelines and regulations in a variety of veterinary healthcare settings.
- Recognize and act within emergent situations, such as extinguishing a fire if found, alert for help when others will be needed to address a situation, perform life-saving measures including chest compressions, move a patient to safety
- Sanitize all surfaces and hands thoroughly
Critical Thinking Skills
The student must have the ability to execute the following skills in a timely/immediate manner:
- Problem solve creatively.
- Make decisions based on data and policy.
- Analyze, synthesize, and interpret information.
- Make safe and appropriate decisions, including when under stressful situations.
- Acknowledge limitations of knowledge or performance ability (stay within scope of practice).
- Perform basic mathematical skills.
- Identify and report medication errors in accordance with institution policy
- Recognize the need to report abnormal patient observations and advocate for their needs promptly
- Calculate with accuracy medication dosages based on weight and prescription
Professionalism
The student must demonstrate:
- Integrity, moral reasoning, ethical behaviors, and concerns for others.
- Respect and non-discrimination of diverse populations.
- Ability to adapt to changing environments.
- Ability to function effectively under stress.
- Confidentiality when working with diverse individuals and communities.
- Ability to accept constructive feedback and responsibility for own actions.
- Report errors of self or others using the appropriate procedures
- Recognize the importance of understanding diverse populations and use this understanding to guide patient care
- Understanding the need for humane euthanasia and coping with emotional impact and moral distress that may occur
- Maintain confidentiality in all venues and forums
- Demonstrate the ability to reflect on self to improve and foster a growth mindset
- Adapt to changing and emergent situations while maintaining a neutral/positive attitude, appearance, and etiquette
Northwood Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to manage inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Amanda Gohde, Vice President, Talent & Culture, 1900 College Drive, Rice Lake WI 54868; Amanda.Gohde@NorthwoodTech.edu, phone: 715-645-7042.
