8 Ways to Better Utilize Veterinary Technicians
The role of veterinary technicians is integral to modern veterinary practice. Yet, across many clinics, their potential is underutilized. According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) 2023 Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines, optimizing technician roles can significantly enhance patient care, increase team morale, and improve operational efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore eight actionable ways to empower veterinary technicians, all grounded in these AAHA guidelines, for a more collaborative and effective veterinary team.
1. Define and Elevate Technician Roles
One of the most impactful steps in better utilizing veterinary technicians is to clearly define and elevate their roles within the practice. According to AAHA, many veterinary technicians report that their skills are underused, often limited to tasks they could have performed with minimal training. This not only limits the technician's job satisfaction but can also bottleneck efficiency and patient care.
How to Apply It
Start by evaluating and updating job descriptions to reflect the full scope of your veterinary technicians' training and skills. Ideally, these descriptions should cover advanced tasks like anesthesia monitoring, dental cleaning, obtaining ultrasound images, and advanced nursing techniques (example: central line placement or suturing), allowing veterinarians to focus on diagnostic results and treatment planning. Encourage veterinary technicians to take on specialized tasks based on their interests or skills, which can enhance their commitment to the practice and improve care quality.
2. Optimize Technician-Doctor Workflow
AAHA’s guidelines stress the importance of efficient technician/doctor workflows. Often, veterinary technicians handle time-consuming yet essential tasks, which could be better delegated to allow veterinarians to focus on diagnostics and complex treatment plans. Effective delegation can significantly increase practice efficiency and improve job satisfaction for both doctors and technicians.
How to Apply It: Develop a team-based approach in which veterinary technicians are trusted to perform routine diagnostics and treatments while the doctor is able to focus on “doctor” duties. This could include pre-surgical preparations, conducting follow-up exams, and triaging cases. For example, veterinary technicians could perform detailed patient histories or initial wound cleaning, enabling the veterinarian to move directly into treatment. This approach can also foster a sense of teamwork and trust between veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
3. Encourage Advanced Skills Training and Certification
Another key recommendation from AAHA is for practices to actively support veterinary technicians seeking advanced skills training or certification. Veterinary technicians who are encouraged to obtain a VTS and specialize in areas like anesthesia, dentistry, and emergency/critical care can bring additional value to the practice. However, this training requires investment in terms of time, money, and moral support from the practice.
How to Apply It
Consider setting up a continuing education (CE) fund or allowing flexibility in schedules to attend certification programs or workshops. You could even establish in-house training sessions led by experienced veterinary technicians or veterinarians in areas like anesthesia monitoring, laboratory techniques, or client communication. Not only does this enhance veterinary technicians' skills, but it also increases their commitment to the practice by showing that their professional growth is valued.
4. Develop Protocols for Veterinary Technicians to Lead Client Education
Client education is an area where veterinary technicians can shine, but they are often underutilized in this capacity. According to AAHA, allowing veterinary technicians to lead client education can significantly improve client understanding and compliance. Since veterinary technicians often spend more time with clients, they can explain diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-up care in detail, offering clarity that can help clients feel confident in their pet’s care plan.
How to Apply It: Create specific protocols that assign client education responsibilities to veterinary technicians in areas like preventive care, nutrition, and post-operative instructions. For instance, veterinary technicians can explain the importance of heartworm prevention or guide clients on how to administer medication at home. By positioning veterinary technicians as client educators, you not only enhance the client experience but also reduce the time doctors spend answering routine questions. This role can also build stronger bonds between veterinary technicians and clients, fostering trust and loyalty.
5. Integrate Veterinary Technicians into Decision-Making Processes
Veterinary echnicians are the backbone of any veterinary team, yet their perspectives are often left out of practice-level decisions. AAHA emphasizes the value of including veterinary technicians in meetings and discussions to boost morale and team cohesion. Veterinary technicians’ day-to-day experience offers unique insights that can inform decisions around workflow, scheduling, and patient care.
How to Apply It
Make it a point to invite veterinary technicians to staff meetings where patient care and practice protocols are discussed. Listen to what veterinary technicians want, and ask for their input on topics like new protocols, equipment needs, or client communication improvements. By giving veterinary technicians a voice, you empower them to contribute ideas and address challenges, leading to a more collaborative and innovative practice environment. Involvement in decision-making can also help veterinary technicians feel valued, which can reduce turnover and increase engagement.
6. Focus on Career Development and Mentorship
AAHA’s guidelines emphasize the importance of career development and mentorship, especially as a strategy for technician retention. Veterinary technicians who receive guidance and support through structured veterinary technician mentorship programs tend to have higher job satisfaction and remain longer within a practice. Mentorship helps veterinary technicians to expand their skills, set career goals, and receive constructive feedback.
How to Apply It: Pair experienced and new employees to foster veterinary technician mentorship relationships. Hospital administrators should develop a formalized program with clear goals, such as setting up regular check-ins, creating personalized learning plans, and setting achievable milestones for professional development. Veterinary technician mentorship can also help cultivate leadership skills in more seasoned employees, preparing them for future supervisory roles and creating a pipeline of well-rounded, skilled team members. Learn more tips for mentoring veterinary technicians here!
7. Utilize Veterinary Technicians in Leadership Roles
Leadership roles can be associated with veterinary technicians, and AAHA’s guidelines encourage practices to consider veterinary technicians for supervisory or training positions. Veterinary technicians bring unique insights and experiences that can be highly beneficial in overseeing certain practice functions, such as managing inventory, coordinating shifts, or leading training sessions for other staff members.
How to Apply It
Consider creating positions that encourage veterinary technicians to climb toward success and continued professional growth. These roles can oversee team coordination, act as liaisons between staff and management, and ensure that protocols are followed across the board. You might also involve them in training and onboarding new hires, allowing experienced veterinary technicians to pass on their expertise. By recognizing technicians as leaders, you not only improve practice operations but also create clear career growth opportunities, which can increase technician retention.
8. Foster a Culture of Appreciation and Recognition
One of the simplest yet most impactful recommendations from AAHA’s guidelines is to foster a culture of appreciation for veterinary technicians. Recognition is a powerful motivator, and it’s no secret that a little acknowledgment can go a long way in reducing veterinary burnout and turnover among veterinary technicians. Practices that actively recognize technicians’ contributions tend to have more positive work environments and greater job satisfaction.
How to Apply It: Implement formal and informal methods of recognition. This could include “Technician of the Month” awards, acknowledging achievements (even the small ones) in team meetings, or writing personalized thank-you notes for jobs well done. Simple acts, like celebrating milestones such as certification completion or work anniversaries, can foster a culture where veterinary technicians feel valued. Creating a culture of appreciation doesn’t just improve morale; it also builds loyalty and encourages veterinary technicians to go above and beyond in their roles.
Conclusion
Better utilizing veterinary technicians isn’t just about enhancing efficiency—it’s about creating a practice environment where each team member can perform to their fullest potential. The AAHA 2023 Veterinary Technician Utilization Guidelines provide a solid framework for making these changes. By defining and elevating roles, optimizing workflows, supporting advanced training, empowering client education, involving veterinary technicians in decision-making, focusing on vet tech mentorship, promoting technicians into leadership, and fostering a culture of appreciation, veterinary practices can not only improve patient care but also boost team morale and retention.
Veterinary leaders and mentors have a crucial role in this transformation. Each of these eight strategies represents an opportunity to invest in veterinary technicians and recognize their vital role within the veterinary healthcare team. When leaders commit to better utilizing their veterinary technicians, they contribute to a more efficient, supportive, and ultimately successful practice that benefits the entire veterinary community.