ASVT Additional Policies

Service and Volunteer Requirements

In order to graduate, students in the Veterinary Technology program must complete a minimum of four (4) hours of community service per term during terms 1 through 5.

ASVT Dress Code

• The Student ID must be worn at chest level and be conspicuous at all times.
• Scrubs provided by the university must be worn unless otherwise indicated.
• Scrubs must be clean and unwrinkled.
• Shirts worn underneath the scrub uniform top may be short sleeve or long sleeve but must be black if visible. No other undergarments may be visible.
• During visits to large animal facilities, short or long sleeve coveralls may be worn.

Shoes and Stockings

• Shoes must have a rubber/non-conductive sole and completely cover the foot, including the heel and toes.
• Shoes must be clean at all times.
• During visits to large animal facilities, closed toed, sturdy boots that can be fully disinfected are required.

Jewelry, Hair, and Nails

• The only visible, pierced jewelry that is acceptable is a small, single, stud earring. Hoops, rings, or dangling earrings are not allowed. Jewelry on other visible parts of the body are not allowed.
• For men: Facial hair must be neatly trimmed and permit proper fit of personal protective equipment.
• Rings may be worn, but may need to be removed during surgery rotation.
• A watch with a second hand is mandatory at all times.
• Hair must be pulled back out of the face and off the shoulders during labs. Hair color must be of a natural color; faddish or unnatural colors or styles are not permitted.
• Nails must be trimmed and kept clean at all times. Only clear nail polish is acceptable –other colors/designs are not allowed. Artificial nails are not allowed during surgical rotations.

Tattoos

• Tattoos and piercings are discouraged while in school due to increased chance of infection and the ability to comply with Stanbridge and hospital policy.
• Tattoos cannot be visible. Black, long sleeved shirts or “sleeves” must be worn with scrubs to cover any tattoos.

(Note: Clinical facilities may have uniform regulations in addition to the requirements listed above. Students must comply with any additional uniform requirements at the clinical facilities in the program.)

Students not in compliance with the uniform standards policy will be issued a Notice of Deficiency and repeated violations may result in disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal from the program.

Student Liability Insurance

The university provides professional liability insurance (malpractice insurance) for all students during all levels of clinical education. Students are required to provide their own health insurance. The student should carry a copy with him/her to the clinical facility as the student may be requested to provide it to the facility for its records.

Student Acknowledgement of Risk

Veterinary Technology students will be required to sign, as a condition of their presence in clinical facilities, the following acknowledgement:

Immunizations

All students enrolled in the veterinary technology program are required to have proof of tetanus toxoid immunization and pre-exposure rabies immunization and/or proof of a protective titer (where appropriate). Within 30 days of enrollment, students must provide proof of rabies vaccination or a protective titer against rabies and proof of tetanus toxoid immunization within 5 years prior to enrollment.  Students unable to provide proof of vaccinations or protective titers will be expected to participate in a vaccination program coordinated by the university which is included in the cost of the program.

Immunity to tetanus and rabies must be documented by either:

Written documentation providing evidence of current immunization for each organism.

Laboratory results verifying immunity.

Rabies: Rabies is a preventable viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Rabies virus infects the central nervous system, causing encephalopathy and ultimately death.  Pre-exposure rabies vaccination is recommended for persons in high-risk groups, such as veterinarians, veterinary technicians, animal handlers, and laboratory workers. Prophylaxis is given for several reasons; although pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for additional medical attention after a possible rabies exposure, it simplifies therapy by eliminating the need for human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) and decreasing the number of vaccine doses needed, and it minimizes adverse reactions to multiple doses of vaccine. Second, it may enhance immunity in persons whose post-exposure therapy might be delayed. Finally, it may provide protection to persons with an apparent exposure to rabies.

Tetanus: Tetanus is an acute, often fatal, disease caused by an exotoxin produced by Clostridium tetani. It is characterized by generalized rigidity and convulsive spasms of skeletal muscles. The muscle stiffness usually involves the jaw (lockjaw) and neck and then becomes generalized. Seizures and death may occur. C. tetani is a bacterial organism widely distributed in soil and in the intestine and feces of horses, sheep, cattle, dogs, cats, rats, guinea pigs, and chickens. The organism usually enters the body through an open wound.  Persons who received childhood tetanus toxoid vaccines (DTP) typically only receive booster vaccines every 10 years.

Students absent from on-campus health clinics are required to complete and provide proof of the aforementioned information within two weeks. Any absences accrued due to missing health records will be unexcused. Also, any student who fails to submit the required health records by the due date will receive a Notice of Deficiency and will not be allowed to participate in activities involving live animals.

Personal Pet Policy

It is the policy of the ASVT program that no animals of any type be brought or allowed on campus property without prior permission from the course instructor or program director. The veterinary technology program may, at times, invite certain people to bring certain animals to campus for participation in teaching laboratories. However, veterinary technology students, like any other student on campus, cannot make the decision to bring their personal pet(s) to campus without specific, prior invitation and/or permission from a veterinary technology program faculty member. In addition, it is inappropriate for animals to be maintained in your personal vehicle during any classroom or laboratory session.  If a student is found to have an animal in their vehicle during class hours, the student will be asked to leave and return without the animal.  The student will be issued a Notice of Deficiency and may be subject to dismissal from the program.