I’ve heard a lot of discussion lately from credentialed Veterinary technicians, both in person and in online forums, about how to make ends mee, or about sharing info on successful “side hustles” to bring in supplemental income. While I love that this is a close-knit community willing to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences, it’s disheartening that such skilled professionals face such disparity regarding salary.
Credentialed Veterinary technicians (CVTs, LVT, LVMTs, and RVTs) are indispensable members of the Veterinary healthcare team. Despite their crucial role, the compensation for RVTs often fails to reflect the level of education, skill, and value they bring to Veterinary practices. Appropriate compensation of credentialed Veterinary technicians is a highly discussed topic and it is a multi-faceted issue with no simple, one-step solution.
This article’s purpose is a call to action for Veterinary technicians. My goal is to provide some encouragement and explore real-time actions and solutions that can be implemented to help credentialed technicians advocate for themselves, as well as highlight strategies for professional development and marketability.
Advocate for Proper Utilization and Demonstrate Value
- Educate Employers and Colleagues: Many practices underutilize credentialed technicians, relegating them to tasks that do not fully leverage their skills. Technicians should take the initiative to educate their employers and colleagues about the breadth of their training and capabilities. Presenting a clear outline of their competencies and how they can enhance the practice’s efficiency and care quality can help shift perceptions.
- Document Contributions: Keeping a detailed record of the tasks performed, especially those that demonstrate advanced skills, can provide concrete evidence of a technician’s value to the practice. This documentation can be used during performance reviews or when negotiating roles and responsibilities. Be sure to include all contributions to practice operations, such as time and resources saved, procedures developed or performed, and improvements to patient outcomes and client compliance.
- Showcase Skills: Regularly update resumes, CVs, and portfolios to reflect new skills, certifications, and continuing education. Don’t be shy! All achievements should be recognized and celebrated.
- Present Case Studies: Develop case studies or reports demonstrating how their actions and interventions have positively impacted patient care, clinic revenue, or company culture.
- Demand Improvements: Technicians should not hesitate to discuss working conditions and salaries with their employers. Open dialogues with peers and hospital leaders highlighting the contributions of credentialed technicians can pave the way for improved pay schedules.
Differentiate from Other Roles
- Highlight Unique Skills: Credentialed technicians possess a distinct skill set that differs from other roles within the Veterinary healthcare team. Emphasizing these unique skills can help delineate their role and accentuate their value.
- Highlight Unique Education: Similar to their unique skills, credentialed technicians bring a depth of knowledge and expertise that differs from that of other Veterinary team members. The formal education of a credentialed technician allows a comprehensive understanding of many disciplines (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing care, etc.) and this background enables technicians to perform complex tasks and make informed decisions that enhance patient care and client understanding and compliance.
- Mentorship and Leadership: Taking on mentorship roles within the practice can showcase leadership abilities and highlight the technician’s expertise. Such roles not only contribute to the professional growth of other staff members, but also establishes the technician as a key resource within the team. Technicians should share their knowledge and encourage and assist others with learning new skills and techniques.
- Assert Responsibilities and Titles: Technicians should hold a clear understanding of their state’s governing documents (such as a Veterinary practice act) in regards to skills and duties pertaining to credentialed technicians. Technicians should ensure management and all other staff members are following such policies completely and engage in discussions and initiate policy changes to remedy the situation if they are not.
Foster Respect and Recognition
- Professional Presentation: Maintaining a professional demeanor and appearance can significantly impact how technicians are perceived within the practice. This includes wearing appropriate working attire, using professional language, and demonstrating a strong work ethic. Technicians should demonstrate professionalism both to clients and their pets, as well as to other staff members.
- Supporting Others: Supporting peers and leaders and recognizing their achievements and contributions to the Veterinary team will create a more positive, cohesive work environment and foster the respect of colleagues.
Continue Professional Growth and Marketability
- Utilize Continuing Education: Continuing education is vital for credentialed technicians to stay current with advancements within the field and to remain competitive in the job market. Many organizations exist that provide CE events, both virtually and in person. A wide range of options are available, with varying price points.
- Seek Certifications or Advanced Education: Pursuing further education and certifications demonstrates a technician’s commitment to the profession. It will also enhance their skill set, making them indispensable to the practice, or it may open the door to other opportunities within the field.
- Pursue Veterinary Technician Specialization: Specializing in a particular area of Veterinary medicine can make a technician more marketable and open up higher-paying opportunities. Currently, there are 16 Veterinary technician specialty academies, with more on the horizon.
- Engage in Research and Publications: Participating in research projects or contributing to Veterinary publications can enhance a technician’s professional profile. Writing articles, case studies, or presenting at conferences can position a technician as an expert in their field.
- Utilize Social Media and Online Presence: Building a professional online presence through platforms like LinkedIn or industry-specific forums can help technicians connect with other professionals, share knowledge, and stay updated on industry trends.
Seek Fair Compensation
- Market Research: Understanding the compensation landscape is crucial. Technicians should research salary benchmarks in their region and within similar-sized practices. This data can serve as a powerful tool when negotiating salaries and raises.
- Professional Networking: Joining professional organizations and attending industry conferences can provide insights into compensation trends and offer opportunities to discuss salary expectations with peers. Networking can also open doors to better-paying positions.
Advocate for Policy Change
- Organized Advocacy: Involvement in professional organizations on local, state, and/or a national level will unite credentialed Veterinary technicians with other like-minded professionals to push for policy changes that support better compensation, recognition, and working conditions.
Being a credentialed Veterinary technician is more than just a job; it is a career that deserves recognition, appropriate utilization, and fair compensation. By taking proactive steps to advocate for their roles, seek fair pay, foster respect, differentiate themselves from other team members, and continue their professional growth, credentialed Veterinary technicians can ensure they are seen as indispensable members of the Veterinary healthcare team. Only by taking such actions can technicians elevate their status and ensure they are a driving force in the solution to under compensation for these valuable team members.