Veterinary nurses, or veterinary technicians, bring special skills and attributes to a practice. Few persons have a longer job description. Practices that learn to use them to their full potential realize increases in efficiency and improvements in client service and patient care. Veterinary nurses, with all their special skills, knowledge and attributes, are the gears that propel the veterinary team forward and bring significant value to any practice.
Source: Clinician’s Brief, October 2016. Here are the team takeaways:
- Veterinarians: Studies show veterinary nurses can improve practice efficiency, including financial sustainability, by taking some responsibilities from veterinarians. Be familiar with the veterinary nurses’ skills and the tasks they are allowed to perform according to the state practice act, and use them to their maximum potential.
- Nursing Team: One key responsibility of veterinary nurses is bridging the communication gap, especially with clients, who often respond better to a veterinary nurse’s lay language and obvious compassion and knowledge when explaining patient treatment and care.
- Client Care Team: Veterinary nurses are excellent resources for handling many client medical concerns. When clients call with questions, veterinary nurses should be the first line for medical questions and can triage requests directed toward the veterinarians.
INSIGHTS: For sales representatives or marketers new to the industry or who have not worked in the field for a few years, Kenichiro Yagi, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), writes a modern-day perspective on the many roles of the veterinary nurse or technician. She works in a multi-site, veterinary clinic environment with more than 30 veterinarians and an extensive staff in California.