OPINION
National Veterinary Technician’s Week was filled with celebrations, acknowledgment and for me, discovery. Participating in two virtual roundtables encompassing virtual care and veterinary technician use, common threads became apparent as I listened:
- Veterinary teams are taxed and running on fumes
- Workflow and staffing models are in continual flux, including the needs for more flex and part-time staff
- Certified veterinary technician/nurse skills are not being fully engaged
- Veterinary technicians/nurses are a logical primary workforce for first telemedicine interactions and discussions
- Telemedicine adoption is promising, but internal adoption lags far behind client adoption
- Veterinarians hold tightly to functions and tasks that veterinary techs are trained and skilled to complete
- Most veterinary technician actions are covered by practice liability insurance
- There are only four things veterinary technicians cannot provide, perform or recommend
The phrase impediments to empowerment seems to best represent my impressions and discoveries. Most compelling was:
Strategically, veterinary technicians cannot fully apply their trained skills until veterinarians focus solely on the FOUR THINGS ONLY DVMs can PERFORM, plus one management skill:
- Diagnose
- Establish a treatment plan
- Prescribe medication
- Perform surgery
And . . .
- Hand-off, delegate and TRUST the rest to certified technicians and nurses as well as trained lay staff offering to be a resource at any time.
Source: Animal Health Digest. I wish to acknowledge the following for their contributions to this week’s opportunity discussions:
- Catherine Haskins, The Bridge Club veterinary < link >
- Mark Cushing, J.D. and board from VVCA < link >
- Aaron Smiley, DVM < link >
- Rebecca Rose, CVT < link >
- Julie Legred, CVT < link >
INSIGHTS: One would not have to look too hard to find a former animal health sales rep or former groomer working in a veterinary clinic. Except for the 4 Vets ONLY Skills, people like these can visit with pet owners live or virtually, take history, discuss OTC products, diets and help determine if a pet needs a physical exam by the doctor.
Spoiler: Watch next week for Two powerful words to empower animal owners.