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Points To Keep In Mind For Skill Submissions

• Each skill sheet you submit must include the skill sheet signed by your site supervisor.

  • Including skill sheets that are being resubmitted for rejected or partially accepted skills.

• Submit all of the pages for the skill, not just the signature sheet.

• Include your name, student ID, and skill number on your all of your submissions. This includes but is not limited to skill sheets, written descriptions, log books, patient records, slides, culture plates, etc.

• Upload your skills with the proper title. (studentID_Name_skill)

• Upload your skills into the correct section. Example: skill 1 skills should be submitted under the skill 1 section, not the timesheet.

• Submit the entire skill. This means do not submit the skill until you have ALL of the required materials prepared for submission.

• You have a maximum of 3 times to submit a skill to satisfactorily complete it within the time frame.

• If you show no activity within a month from your approved date you will be graded as incomplete.

• The skills can be completed in any order.

• If you don't have access to a scanner you can take a clear photo of your skill sheet and submit them that way. We should be able to read the print.

• Act with Academic Integrity! Plagiarism or cheating will not be tolerated and can result in the failure of your Externship and dismissal from the program.

Tips To Help You Stay Within Your Deadline

• • Submit skills on a weekly basis

    • Do not wait until you have all the skills completed then submit them. Submit them as you get them completed; it takes time for us to evaluate them. If you submit them all at once we will not evaluate more than three skills a week.

    • Again they can be completed in any order.

  • Be aware of how many skills you need to complete and the time you need to complete them in

    • Externship 1 has 29 skills and 200 hours; you have 10 weeks to have them completed

      • To be completed in 10 weeks means you need to submit about three new skills a week

    • Externship 2 has 52 skills for REV1608 and 51 skills for REV1905 and 250 hours; you have 18 weeks to have them completed (this is for students who did not complete the film radiograph requirement in Externship 1) Please be sure that you have the correct paperwork for your Revision.

      • To be completed in 18 weeks means you need to submit about three new skills a week

    • You are given an additional 8 weeks to re-submit skills provided that you do so prior to the end date of your externship

    • You need to have ALL skills completed and passed and ALL hours need to be completed to pass either externship

  • Keep your evaluator updated on your progress

Tips To Get Your Skills Accepted On First Submission

• • • Be prepared!

      • Look all the skills over CAREFULLY! That way you can ask your evaluator any questions if you are unsure about what is required of you.

• • Don't wait until the day of to look at the skill sheet for the first time, part of being a Vet Tech is to be prepared and have a plan of action!

• Pay attention to the materials that need to be submitted

  • The skill should not be submitted until you have all the materials ready. Don't just submit part of the skill. Wait until it is fully completed then submit.

• Read the skill description and criteria

  • Many of the skills have step by step instructions or important points.

  • You should include each of the criteria in your video, photo, description or log. (Depending on what the skill requires to be submitted

• Descriptions: Be detailed

  • You should be detailed enough in your description that your evaluator could perform the skill or understand the subject just by reading your description.

  • The descriptions should be in narrative form, typed, and double spaced.

  • Use proper terminology.

  • Remember you are displaying your knowledge of the skill to your evaluator. Show us you know what you are talking about!

  • You should be discussing each of the criteria in your description.

  • If discussing a patient, make sure to give a full signalment and a brief history.

  • Provide dates for procedures that were completed/ performed.

  • Do not plagiarize your material. If you paraphrase or use direct quotes make sure to use an in-text citation.

  • Cite all sources used for the skill.

• Patient logs: Be detailed

  • There is no specific format for your patient logs. However, they should be neat and orderly.

  • Provide a full signalment.

  • Provide a brief patient history.

  • Be thorough and read what the skill is asking for you to include in the log.

  • Do not plagiarize your material. If you paraphrase or use direct quotes make sure to use an in-text citation.

  • Cite all sources used for the skill.

• Photos

  • Take multiple photos from different angles.

    • Even if the skill only requires one photo, take more than one just in case. When in doubt take multiple pictures; it doesn't mean you have to submit them all, but you will have them for backup if needed.

    • If you are taking a picture of a test result or diagnostic test like a culture plate, the plate needs to be photographed on a piece of paper with your student ID, student name, date, and patient name showing.

  • Label your photos in the title when submitting them in the dropbox. This will reduce confusion for your evaluator and delay for you.

• Digital videos

  • Include each step of the skill or point listed in the criteria.

  • We need to see your face at least briefly in the video to verify you are the one performing the skill. Don't be camera shy! Be proud of your hard work!

  • Don't be afraid to talk in the video. Explain what you are doing and/ or why. This will really showcase your knowledge and understanding of the skill.

  • Make sure you upload the video with the proper formatting.

    • If the file is too large, you may need to put it on YouTube and then submit a word document with the link to your video.

    • Make sure you properly label your video submission

  • Don't submit your first attempt. This usually needs work and most likely will be rejected. We want to see the final result after you have practiced the skill several times, the perfected skill.

• We do expect excellent detailed work at a high level so that each submission meets all legal requirements and the AVMA-CVTEA regulations.

  • We are looking for textbook quality technique.

"If at first you don't succeed, try try, try again!"

• Everyone gets skills rejected or partially accepted at some point. It is not the end of the world!

  • We know you put a lot of time and effort into your submissions, which is great. If we are not accepting them, there is usually a reason.

  • Read your evaluator's comments on the progress report they will upload into the drop box. They will explain why the skill was not accepted and point you in the correct direction.

• You have a maximum of three times to submit a skill to satisfactorily complete it within the time frame.

  • That does not mean you should not submit your best effort on your first submission! Just because you are given multiple chances does not mean you should take advantage of our generosity.

• Do not be afraid to ask questions

  • Your evaluator is not only here to critique your skills but also to guide you through your externship.

  • First you should try to find the answer yourself. If you are still confused or lost then email your evaluator. They will be happy to help you.

  • Be polite and professional. Remember we are people too! Bad behavior not only gives a poor impression of who you are to your evaluator but it could also impact how your site views you. We understand that you are upset and frustrated that your skill has not been accepted. We are happy to help. There is no reason to be angry or rude.

• We want you to succeed!

  • Please do not forget that you are a student. The purpose of the Externships is to develop your skill. We know for a lot of you this is your first time in a clinical setting. We do not expect you to get everything perfect on the first try. However, we do expect you to put your best effort into each of your submissions and submit college level work.

  • Part of our job as an educator is to push you to your max potential. We see that you all have the makings of becoming excellent Veterinary Technicians!!