Launch your Career with LinkedIn

Picture of Launch your Career with LinkedIn
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 506 Students

Learn how to use LinkedIn, a free and popular job search and career development tool, and gain the power of the Internet to expand your professional network.

Did you know that 95% of all job opportunities aren't made public? Did you know that most people get their jobs through their ""connections""? If you've been frustrated in your career or job search, LinkedIn is the solution you're looking for. Whether you already have an account and you haven't taken advantage of it yet, or you're just beginning to think about signing up, this course will give you the knowledge you need to succeed with LinkedIn.

In this course, you'll get hands-on experience with this powerful tool as you build your own career network. You'll learn how to create a profile that shows your professional achievements off to their best advantage, and you'll gain techniques for deepening and expanding your business contacts. You'll also learn about LinkedIn groups—a great way to find others who share your interests and background, and who may be major players in your industry.

You'll also learn how to incorporate LinkedIn into your overall job-search and career development strategy, including traditional methods such as calling, letter writing, email etiquette, in-person interviewing, as well as some of the newer media, including text etiquette and social media do's and don'ts. There's even a lesson to help you if you're a creative professional who doesn't fit the everyday mold.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

<p>In this first lesson, you'll learn how LinkedIn can help you tap into the hidden job market by networking with people in your field. We'll discuss how LinkedIn compares to other social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, and how to best use this resource whether you've just recently graduated from college, you're employed in a full-time position, or you're seeking part-time work to re-enter the job market. By the end of this lesson, you'll be prepared to start defining your career goals, and you'll open your free basic account and have a look around the LinkedIn website!<strong> </strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p>

What's the difference between a dream job and a fantasy job? It's important&nbsp;to be able to&nbsp;articulate what&nbsp;your dream job is&nbsp;and why this job is&nbsp;ideal for you. In this lesson,&nbsp;we'll discuss what it takes to achieve your dream job, and we'll walk through the&nbsp;process of mapping your career goals and dreams. You'll also&nbsp;learn how to use LinkedIn to identify target employers who match your passion and vision. Ready? Set? Go!

How does your LinkedIn profile&nbsp;market your skills 24/7? We'll discuss that in today's lesson.&nbsp;You'll learn a few tricks to using photos that make a difference and why that's important. And we'll also take a step-by-step guided tour of your profile page, building a LinkedIn profile that displays confidence and promotes a healthy image.

Today's lesson is all about getting noticed on LinkedIn. You'll learn about Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and keywords, and how to include these words in your profile content. You'll learn how to adjust some settings in your LinkedIn account panel to help increase visibility and control. And finally, we'll discuss how you can use LinkedIn recommendations to your advantage.

In this lesson, we'll discuss LinkedIn Groups and why you should join them. You'll learn how to find the right group for your career development, and we'll also talk about group etiquette and the proper behavior when participating in a group. Finally, we'll explore how to connect with people in your group and why it's beneficial.

For some, meeting new people is fun and exciting; for others, nothing could be more terrifying. If you fall in the latter category, this lesson is for you. Today we'll explore the psychology of meeting people. You'll learn effective tips for introducing yourself to others and overcoming fears, and we'll also discuss how you can use LinkedIn to introduce yourself to industry connections!

Wondering how and when to use your email, text messaging, or snail mail in your job search? With the advent of all these new technologies, we have many options for how we communicate with potential employers. In this lesson, we'll discuss these technologies and the most appropriate and effective uses for them in the business world!

<P>There are many job opportunities out there, regardless of what you might hear on the news. As we've discussed throughout the course, the hidden job market is where you'll find most of these opportunities. So the real quest is in <I>how</I> to find the hidden job market. In this lesson, you'll learn how to use a number of resources to find the job you're looking for. We'll discuss little-known Web tools, how to use specific job sites, how to approach companies directly, and how LinkedIn can tie all of your research together. </P>

It's time to get out from behind your computer and make your introductions. But first, you'll want to get on the phone. In this lesson, we'll discuss a few powerful techniques for turning cold calls warm, and we'll talk about communication techniques for interviews&mdash;both on the phone and in person. You'll learn how to develop a list of questions that will prepare you for any type of interview, and you'll have a chance to practice as well!

If you're an artist of any type&mdash;whether a musician, writer, photographer, psychic, or inventor&mdash;you might be wondering how you can use LinkedIn to your benefit. How can you make LinkedIn work for you if you're not on a traditional career path? That's exactly what we'll cover in this lesson. We'll discuss how to distinguish between your product and service, how to identify your market, how to make your left and right brain work in tandem, and how to market yourself and connect with people who can help you on LinkedIn.

As we come into the home stretch of this course, we'll discuss a few ways you can continue to grow with LinkedIn. We'll look at LinkedIn Mobile, LinkedIn Resume Builder, and applying for jobs directly through LinkedIn. We'll also talk about allotting 10 minutes for LinkedIn each day and how to best use that time. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a thorough understanding of how to make LinkedIn work for you&mdash;so your interaction with the tool will be almost effortless, and your career network management seamless!

In our final lesson, we'll discuss the importance of attitude. You know attitude is important, of course, but you may not have the tools to change your attitude and stay positive during a job search. Today, we'll discuss how a positive attitude can make a difference in your job search, and we'll also look at a powerful technique for turning your attitude around. We'll wrap up by talking about some strategies for taking your LinkedIn profile offline and networking face-to-face with potential employers!

Ron Nash

Ron Nash

LinkedIn whisperer, headhunter, author, NLP therapist, TV personality, and business and career strategist, Ron Nash has a passion for personal development and creating strategies that work. His expertise has helped Fortune 50 to 500 companies. Ron... Read more

Read Ron Nash's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Launch your Career with LinkedIn you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Become a Professional Consultant Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

Become a Professional Consultant

Picture of Become a Professional Consultant
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 4362 Students

Find out how you can earn income by sharing your training or knowledge with others.

Do you have training or knowledge that could be useful to others? Have you ever considered providing consulting services based upon your background? This course is designed to help those who wish to set up a consulting practice get started. You will learn the complete process of starting and operating a consulting practice. The course will begin with surveys and assessments designed to help you pinpoint the best consulting services to offer. The course then progresses into the business start-up process, including issues such as licensing and legalities. You will then develop a complete business plan for their consulting firm that details finances, pricing policies, contracting, and marketing. The course concludes with a discussion of record-keeping and tax concerns. There will also be an online discussion area where you can exchange valuable business ideas and resources with other students and the instructor. The instructor will keep you updated by citing resources such as books, periodicals, and organisations designed to help small businesses.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

In our first lesson, you'll learn about all of the characteristics of running your own consulting business. In the process, you'll have the opportunity to take an entrepreneurial career test that will help you determine if owning a consulting company is a good decision for you. As you study independent consulting, you'll also learn about alternatives that will allow you to offer your consulting services without the issues associated with self-employment. Finally, I'll show you how to lay the foundation for success as a consultant.

Today, we'll turn our attention to the profession of consulting. In this lesson, I'll help you recognize the prospects of independent consulting and will introduce you to 20 of the most common consulting fields. My goal is to help you identify the kind of consulting practice you may want to run. Finally, I'll introduce you to some successful consultants in various industries so you can see how they started and grew their businesses.

In this lesson, you'll work through a series of exercises designed to help you pinpoint your area of expertise. You'll work with a tool that will help you interpret your skill set and help you choose the type of consulting practice to run. After you work through the exercises, you'll read two case studies about consultants who, after thoroughly assessing their skills and backgrounds, started practices quite different from what they originally envisioned—both financially and personally.

Today, you'll begin taking steps toward actually create your consulting firm. You'll learn how to set concrete goals, both short-term and long-term. Once you know how to set goals, you'll learn how to use them in your strategies for attracting clients to your new business. We'll apply a simple goal-based analogy of seed planting to get you well on your way to understanding what it takes to get customers.

In today's lesson, you'll take the first steps toward opening your doors. First, you'll learn how to craft a fundamental business plan, then I'll show you how to use a basic planning template to develop the business plan for your individual company. We'll begin by creating the conceptual basis and mission of your consulting practice. Then you'll learn how to research the marketplace to both uncover your clients' needs and discern how other consulting practices operate. Finally, you'll work on establishing your pricing structure and determining what specific services you'll offer.

You're just about ready for your grand opening! In this lesson, you'll learn about the eight physical steps you'll need to follow to start off right. Each of these steps, completed in sequence, will move you toward opening day. Among these eight steps, you'll examine issues related to licensing, legal construction, naming your business, and even choosing a business card style that will get you noticed.

Today, we'll explore the financial aspects of your company. You'll begin by developing a series of budgets for various stages of your company's growth. First, you'll create a complete start-up budget. Second, you'll forecast your ongoing expenses for one year. Third, you'll estimate your gross income and use the income and expense figures to estimate your potential profit. After developing those financial sheets, you'll learn why you'll need to use contracts and letters of agreement. Finally, you'll learn all about billing, including several options that can reduce collection problems and significantly help your cash flow.

Now it's time to go after your first client! This is the first part of a two-part lesson in which you'll learn how to obtain customers. In this lesson, find out how to correctly identify the kinds of customers who want or need your services. You'll learn how to recognize them using two market analysis tools: demographics and psychographics. You'll also learn why you should target your customer base first, and then create advertisements aimed toward those customers.

In this second marketing installment, you'll learn how to select advertising forms that will best reach your customers. We'll explore the four major categories of advertising as well as their subcategories. You'll use a marketing plan worksheet to detail which forms of advertising you'll use to reach each type of client. Then you'll learn about the major difference in strategy between marketing to a consumer clientele and marketing to a commercial clientele. Finally, I'll explain the concepts of frequency and response rates and how each will increase your chances of success in securing paying clients.

Now it's time to learn about the administration of your business, namely record keeping. In this lesson, you'll learn about the seven basic components that comprise your record keeping system. We'll discuss which kinds of records you should keep for management and tax purposes. After you learn which items to record and track, I'll explain the calculations you'll need to perform and how to read the financial condition of your company. Finally, I'll give you several scenarios to help you practice those computations.

Today, you'll learn the basics of business tax deductions and how to estimate your business taxes. You'll find out how to identify tax deductions for your business, as well as how to unearth potential tax deductions from your personal affairs that could be related to the business. You'll also learn how to work with your accountant to properly plan for tax time and help minimize your tax obligations. We'll conclude by reading two case studies that will help you practice estimating taxes owed.

In this final lesson, I'll introduce you to dozens of resources that can provide you with assistance as you build your business. You'll learn about government agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as local organizations that exist to serve entrepreneurs like you.

William Flood

William Flood

William Flood is a small business consultant, speaker, and the owner of Horizon Business Services, a small business training firm. He has conducted training seminars for over 15 years, reaching over 35,000 students. Mr. Flood has extensive experie... Read more

Read William Flood's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Become a Professional Consultant you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Fundamentals Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Fundamentals

Picture of Microsoft Outlook 2007 Fundamentals
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 2641 Students

Become a productive and confident Microsoft Outlook 2007 user.

Want to learn Microsoft Outlook 2007 fast? Want to become a confident and productive user of this powerful program without having to memorise a lot of technical mumbo-jumbo? In this course, you'll see what's new in Outlook 2007 and get up and running quickly with the most important aspects of the program, from basic e-mailing to automating your work with rules. You'll learn security basics and how to perform maintenance tasks, like backing up your data. You'll even create a Google Gmail account for class assignments and personal use. You'll also interact with other students and an instructor whose Outlook books, articles, and online courses have helped thousands of people like you learn the essentials of earlier editions of Outlook. Whether you're new to Outlook or you've been using it for years, you're sure to learn something useful in every lesson.

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

Are you ready to get organized and become more efficient? For a lot of people, Microsoft Outlook 2007 is the answer to increased productivity in the workplace and at home. We'll start with a whirlwind tour of the interface and the help systems so you can get familiar with the program if you're new to it. Then we'll get you hooked up with a Google Gmail e-mail account you can use with this course and ever after. We'll wrap up the lesson with a look at keyboard shortcuts that can make navigating Outlook a breeze.

Now that you have an e-mail account, it is time to put it to use. In this lesson, you'll learn how to send, receive, and reply to e-mail messages. We'll also go over Desktop Alerts, Outlook's way of notifying you that you have new messages to read or tasks to do.

Now that you have the e-mail flowing, it's time to see how Outlook can help you manage it. Today, we'll look at how you can simplify your life by handling all your e-mail accounts in one place. You'll also see how you can use message groups and flags to keep track of conversations and organize your inbox. Plus, you'll love how Outlook helps you file messages with rules that do all the work of a personal assistant.

Outlook contacts can do everything the proverbial little black book could do—and a whole lot more! In this lesson, you'll see how you can create contacts and use the information they contain in other areas of Outlook, like the address fields of an e-mail message. You can even search your contacts, making it easy to find information about that guy, John, whose last name you can never remember, or the phone number of that little restaurant on Santiago Street.

These days, there are many ways to communicate electronically. Outlook 2007 works with two new technologies (instant messaging and RSS feeds) to expand the ways you can communicate. So today, we'll take a quick look at instant messaging programs and how they work with Outlook. Then, we'll dive into RSS feeds, a popular new way to get news and other information delivered right into Outlook folders.

It's time for a big change of gears. So far in this course, we've been using Outlook to communicate. But Outlook can also manage your personal information. In this lesson, we're going to focus on the personal information manager side of Outlook, starting with the calendar. The calendar got a major makeover in this version, so even if you're an Outlook veteran, you'll find a lot of new tips and tricks in this lesson.

Do you have tasks you need to do? Why not let Outlook help you keep track of them instead of relying on 50 random scraps of paper, each with a different notation? In this lesson, you're going to see how Outlook can help you keep track of all the stuff you need to do. You'll learn how to set automatic reminders that tell you when it's time to get cracking on a particular task so you'll always get your work done on time!

If you're wondering how to keep track of all the stuff that doesn't fit into e-mail messages or calendar appointments or a to-do list, you'll find all the answers in this lesson. Outlook's notes and shortcuts will be your new best friends. You'll learn how top use notes to store bits of information and shortcuts to tell you where you stored something on your computer. These tools make life a lot easier!

It's time to talk about managing your Outlook information again. We'll go back to talking about folders and rules in this lesson, but this time we'll have a different emphasis. You'll also find out how you can print information you want to take with you when you're away from your computer.

No matter how well you organize and manage information, there will come a time when you want to get old items out of the way without losing them. In this lesson, you'll learn how to archive your old information and back it up. We'll also talk about the tools you can use to help you find a specific item among the hundreds or thousands of items you may have stored.

There's a dark side to everything, and the unfortunate thing about using any e-mail program is that it's a door into your world. Spammers, hackers, phishers, and other individuals who want to spy on you, impersonate you, or even steal from you might try sneaking in through Outlook. Today, we're going to talk about Outlook's security measures and how you can use them to protect yourself from these unscrupulous people.

Microsoft put huge efforts into making Outlook easy to use. But that doesn't necessarily mean that it does everything exactly the way you'd like it to. In this final lesson, we'll look at some ways you can customize Outlook to make it work more the way you want it to.

Bill Mann

Bill Mann

Bill Mann has been writing about software and the Internet for over 15 years and has relied on Microsoft Outlook to keep him organised and on track since it first became available. He is the author of more than 15 books, including two about Outloo... Read more

Read Bill Mann's Profile

Frequently Asked Questions

Once you've made the payment, we'll send you a confirmation email with a link to start your course. Feel free to get started whenever you're ready!

You'll have 3 months access to your course. In that time you are free to study at your own pace. The course duration is 24 hours.

Online learning is a flexible way to study that fits around your schedule, giving you the freedom to learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. You'll have 3 months to complete the course and can take the multiple-choice questions and final exam whenever it suits you.

If you need help, you can contact us anytime. You can also join the discussion area where you can interact with other students. The discussion area for each lesson is open for the entire duration of the course.

Of course! We offer a 7-day money back guarantee. As long as you haven't completed the course, you can get a full refund within 7 days of enrolling.

We do not offer extensions or transfers for this self-paced course. However, you will have 3 months to complete the course, and if you need to cancel within the first 10 days of enrolment, we offer a money back guarantee.

The Learning Environment

From the moment that you enrol in the Microsoft Outlook 2007 Fundamentals you will become an integral part of our learning community. You'll find yourself with the freedom to learn at a speed that suits you, on any device, from anywhere in the world. Achieving your career goals no longer has to mean compromising family and work commitments.

Our Values

Learn At Your Own Pace

We believe in personalised learning. That's why we provide all the tools and support you need to succeed at your own pace. With flexible learning, you'll stay motivated and retain more information. Plus, you can balance your studies with work and family commitments to make your dreams a reality.

We Won't Break The Bank

Education should be accessible to anyone who wants to learn. That's why we offer some of the most competitive prices in the industry with payments plans for just $25 per week. Investing in your future is a smart choice and doesn’t have to break the bank.

Industry-Led Courses

There's no better way to learn than from experts with years of experience in your field. That's why each of our 200+ industry-led courses are designed to give you a real-life perspective on your industry. With our expert mentors, you'll learn from people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, and who are passionate about sharing it with you.

Get The Personal Support You Deserve

At Vibe Learning, we're real people who are dedicated to providing you with personal support every step of the way. Our industry experts are not only professional and knowledgeable but also incredibly passionate about sharing their expertise with you. With their guidance, you'll gain invaluable insights and practical knowledge to help you succeed.

Explore Vet Nursing: Practical Skills Online Course | Vibe Learning
 

Explore Vet Nursing: Practical Skills

Picture of Explore Vet Nursing: Practical Skills
Now Only
$389
AUD
35% off
$599 AUD
Quick Facts
  • Delivery Method Online
  • Professional Certificate
  • 24hrs Suggested Study Time
  • 3 Months Access
  • Tutor Support
  • Study On Any Device
  • 2726 Students

Learn the practical skills you'll need to be a valuable veterinary nurse or educated pet owner.

Learn the practical skills you'll need to be a valuable veterinary nurse or educated pet owner. Taught by a practicing veterinarian, this course is the third installment in this series.

Please join us as we explore all the many duties that a veterinary assistant typically performs. Through instruction and demonstration, you'll learn how to safely restrain an animal for blood tests, urine collection, and injections. Then you'll find out how to obtain blood samples, which needles to use for which patient, where the best anatomical sites for collecting blood are located, and how to catheterise a bladder.

We'll also review the basics of blood and urine interpretation so you'll come to understand how veterinarians diagnose various conditions.

You'll gain a thourough understanding of examination room procedures, including disinfecting, prepping, and taking a patient's TPR (temperature, pulse, and respiration).

Other handy skills we'll cover include expressing anal glands, bathing, cleaning ears, giving medication, establishing the sex of a young kitten, puppy, or bunny, determining age, and trimming nails.

Throughout the course, you'll benefit from videos that demonstrate many of these procedures and techniques, as well as state-of-the-art interactive graphics. It's as close as you can get to actually being right there in the veterinarian's office!

Courses are delivered to you through expertly executed lessons, online instruction and interaction with like-minded students. Our courses are designed to deliver all of the benefits of studying in a classroom whilst giving you the flexibility to study at a time and place to suit your needs. You can access your classroom 24/7 from any device with an internet connection.

This course has a 3 month duration. You'll complete comprehensive lessons, quizzes and assignments before submitting your final exam at the end of the course to achieve your certificate. Courses must be completed within the 3 month access period.

We'll begin this course with a discussion about one of the basic duties of veterinary assistants—how to safely and securely hold animals. Proper restraint techniques are the keys to ensuring that you and the person performing a procedure are safe. In addition to learning those techniques, you'll find out how to assess a patient's body language, how to remove a dog from a cage, and how to use different equipment to control a patient.

We focused on dogs in the last lesson. Today, we'll change the focus to cats. Their body language cues differ from a dog's, so how you handle them will change, too. You'll learn the "stretch," the "scruff," and the "kitty burrito" restraint techniques. Then, we'll examine how to restrain rabbits, birds, and other exotics.

Now it's time to learn how to put your new restraint skills to work. Nearly every day, a veterinary assistant will be asked to help restrain an animal for any number of reasons: blood collection, injections, and routine examinations to name a few. Other times, you'll have to conduct a physical exam, give medication, or trim nails. In this lesson, I'll provide you with videos as well as detailed, step-by-step instructions to help prepare you for these duties.

A blood tests is a vital way for veterinarians to determine what's wrong with a patient. So taking blood samples and having a working knowledge of an animal's circulatory system is key for a veterinary assistant. After a review of the circulatory system, we'll look at the most common sites for taking blood—jugular, cephalic, and saphenous veins. Then, we'll take a look at the equipment you'll be using (needles, syringes, and blood collection tubes).

Now that you have a blood sample, what can you do with it? In this lesson, we'll focus on the tests you might help to perform and explore how veterinarians diagnose diseases. Though there are thousands of diseases, a few important ones are anemia, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver failure. You'll quickly learn the difference between white blood cells and chemistries and how to do a PCV and blood smear.

All fluids tell a story. In this lesson, we'll look at urine and how to take samples. You could just put a bowl under a dog, of course, but there other methods that will help ensure that the sample remains uncontaminated. And just like when we talked about blood, we'll also look at the tests that you might help to perform on urine, and go over what duties you'll be responsible for.

In this lesson, we'll move into the surgical suite. Although the veterinarian will do the surgery itself, she won't be able to do it alone. You may be asked to clip and scrub a patient for surgery. Other responsibilities could include preparing surgical packs, knowing the names of the surgical instruments, and cleaning and sterilizing those instruments properly. You'll also have a front row seat to a life-saving surgery that I performed on a little dog.

While it's not the most glamorous of tasks, keeping anal sacs clear and anal glands healthy is a big part of basic health care for companion animals. I'll explain how to identify an impacted sac and show you two techniques you can use to remedy this condition. We'll also examine how to clean ears, administer medication, and provide a bath—all common responsibilities that you may be assigned as a veterinary assistant.

Suppose someone brings you a little kitten and wants to know if it's a boy or a girl. Can you do it? In this lesson, we'll look at how to identify the gender of kittens, puppies, and bunnies, as well as how to tell their age. Knowing the age of a patient is important when figuring out how much medication to give. So I've also included a segment on how to calculate doses of medication to help you figure out what and how much to give your patient.

Now we'll move into the exam room. Yes, assistants have to know how to set up the room, but they can also play an important role in preparing the patients before the veterinarian sees them. In this lesson you'll learn about TPR—temperature, pulse, and respiration. We'll also discuss how to take a patient history, what to look for while performing the TPR, and how to identify dehydration.

Do you know metatarsals from metacarpals? How about ventral from dorsal? In this lesson, I'll give you a crash course in medial terminology and how to use it when taking radiographs. We'll also talk about how to read x-rays and go over why bones look white and lungs look dark. You'll discover how to train a dog so you can take a hip x-ray without sedation.

In this last lesson, we'll take a closer look at how to give injections (including vaccines) and how to diagnose one of the most common ailments that afflicts cats and dogs: worms. We'll discuss collection techniques, proper equipment, what to look for in a sample, and how to identify different types of worms. Finally, we'll wrap up with some of the more memorable cases I've dealt with during my years as a veterinarian. Maybe they'll inspire you to become a veterinarian yourself!

Jeff Grognet

Jeff Grognet

Jeff Grognet has been a companion animal veterinarian for 25 years. He was a pioneer in the field of veterinary assistant teaching, developing his first course almost 20 years ago. The overwhelming success of his veterinary receptionist/assistant ... Read more

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