Christen Puckett-Smith, BS, RVT, and Kenichiro Yagi MS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM), have it right when they write, “. . . as credentialed veterinary technicians, we are walking billboards.” Their article focuses on association activities that help educate the public about the role veterinary technicians play in veterinary practice.
Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Spring 2020. Link.
Public recognition is one of the main goals of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, and the title change to Registered Veterinary Nurse is aimed strongest to this goal.
INSIGHTS: Our team at AHD consistently urges animal health pros to interact locally with media, schools, 4-H and FFA groups and within their own network. Veterinary nurses or technicians are not glorified gophers. These are highly educated, critical members of the animal health professional community. Further, they are frequently the first person to interact with an animal owner and a critical component of positive customer experiences.
Sales representatives would be well advised to find ways to interact with veterinary nurses as a regular activity in the sales call process. Inquire with the clinic buyer(s) about which products the vet techs frequently have the most input. Then, use those categories to set up feedback meetings with the vet techs at least twice annually to identify issues, likes, dislikes and needs.