Q&A: Retaining veterinary technicians

How does education address veterinary technician shortages? Megan Chadwick, CVT, academic director for Penn Foster, a national education and career training provider, discussed education’s role in alleviating shortages in the profession and how inadequate staffing affects practices, in a dvm360 interview. She also addressed the importance of filling veterinary technician.

In her role with Penn Foster, Chadwick oversees the veterinary technician program and other animal-related programs. She works with faculty to ensure the programs offered prepare students for professional testing and working in the field, and align with American Veterinary Medical Association standards.

The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity:

dvm360: What can you tell me about workforce shortages in the veterinary industry, and how they affect technicians?

Chadwick: We've been hearing for many years now about shortages in the veterinary field. I think the at first we heard mainly about shortages for veterinary technicians in the field, and that still is ongoing. We see a lot of turnover with the position, and then the demand for how many veterinary technicians we need is not there. There's not enough people coming into the field to meet that demand. On top of that, in the more recent years, we're also hearing there is a demand for more veterinarians, and I think that also plays into how important it is to make sure that we meet those shortages for veterinary technicians, because veterinary technicians have a really important role. I mean, everybody that works in as a team there has an important role, but I think veterinary technicians, because they're going to school, they're learning these important skills, and they're able to help with a lot of those tasks [that] allow veterinarians to concentrate on things that only veterinarians can do. So I think it's important that we really help adjust the shortage of veterinary technicians, because that could hopefully alleviate some of the additional stress that's happening on the veterinary side—utilizing veterinary technicians to the top of their license and really focusing on keeping veterinary technicians in the field and helping support schools like Penn Foster in getting their students prepared and accepting them.

dvm360: What are some other challenges facing the veterinary industry that you're seeing?

Chadwick: I think a lot of burnout. Mental health in the veterinary field is really important. Unfortunately, there's a pretty high suicide rate, especially among veterinarians, [despite how] amazing as working in the veterinary field can be. There are a lot of downfalls: long hours, and the mental burden of having to deal with sick animals and euthanasia, Over time, that plays a big impact on people's mental health.

And, things are changing. There are medicines changing. We're advancing technology. There's a lot of really great equipment out there. That equipment's expensive, so that means sometimes that clinics have to increase costs. So now you're increasing the cost of how much it is to go to the vet, right? That gets passed down to the clients, and there are some people that can't afford that. That is also tough on veterinary professionals, because you can't always practice the level of medicine that you want, because there is that financial aspect. Sometimes you have to work within the constraints of the budget of the client, and I think that that's hard, and sometimes that means some tough decisions.

dvm360: You had mentioned long hours and mental wellness issues. What are some other things that might be leading to the development of burnout, and, and how is that burnout pushing them out of the field?

Chadwick: I think not only is it the mental health, but pay and utilization.

There are some states that are making really great strides in pay for veterinary technicians, but some states and some clinics are just not there yet. And I think a lot of us enter this profession because we have a love of animals and we want to help, but that sometimes we also have to live and make enough money to provide for our families and ourselves, so I think that's difficult.

The other thing is utilization, sometimes technicians just are not being utilized to the top of their license, and that's discouraging. We work really hard to go to school, do rigorous externships, we put a lot of time and effort into it, and we want to help. I think that can sometimes feel defeating and make somebody not want to stay. If you're not being utilized the way that you could be, it can be frustrating.

dvm360: What are some actions that the industry can take to improve retention of technicians?

Chadwick: I think, investing in their veterinary technicians. It can even start from supporting them through education. Like I said, all team members are valuable. There are different roles, [such as] customer service representative, and veterinary assistant. Although it's perfectly okay for people to stay in that, those positions. Some of them want to grow and move up, so investing in them, having partnerships with programs like Penn Foster, where you can support or cover part of their tuition, so that way they can become veterinary technicians. They already sometimes are familiar with your clinic and have some knowledge, so there's a better rate of success. They probably already like working in the field, and they're somewhat knowledgeable Changing culture within the clinic, utilizing veterinary technicians to the top of their credentials and licensing.

I would say investing, making sure that there are mental health resources for veterinary professionals, even being able to have time off. I know so many veterinary technicians that are working the long hours, and although they may have time off, they're so short-staffed that they almost feel guilty for taking time off, and that's tough, right? Like you're sick, or somebody in your family is sick, but then you also know you have a team of people that are counting on you, so it's a mental burden to feel you have to make those hard decisions. Again, trying to work on additional staffing, which is kind of hard when there's a shortage.

dvm360: How educators helping to build the next generation of veterinary technicians in support of the industry and the future workforce?

Chadwick: Organizations like Penn Foster, we do play an important role, I think, in expanding access to education. We are helping meet the demand for veterinary technicians. Not every person that is interested in becoming a veterinary technician can do the traditional route, where you can go to an in-person school. There may not be one near you, or even set hours. Penn Foster is really great, because we're an affordable program. You don't really make a ton of money in this field, so that’s helping. Also, it's flexible. You could do the courses on your own time, there are not set schedules, so they are self-paced, and affordable. We're able to help students become a veterinary technician that maybe wouldn't have been able to because of obstacles. Then, we do partner with some of the different veterinary clients out there. [There are] different hospitals that help support their students or their workers in the program. They may enroll them through like a scholarship program or things like that.

dvm360: What else would you like veterinary professionals and industry leaders to know about technicians?

Chadwick: Just remember that we all start somewhere and be open to taking on somebody that is maybe just starting out, one of the I think obstacles for somebody that is trying to become a veterinary technician, a lot of times are externships, finding a clinic that's willing to allow them to come in and do some hands-on skills, I think because of the current shortage, a lot of people are short-staffed, and they're just getting by doing their normal business and medicine, and then having somebody else come in and having to support them and train them and do all that is an extra job. But taking time and giving back is really going to help everybody. There's a shortage and it's something they can do to contribute to helping. So, I would say consider helping new people enter the field by considering taking the next turn.

dvm360: What advice would you give to someone interested in working with pets or pursuing an animal care career?

Chadwick: My advice to somebody who was doing some career exploration and considering working in the veterinary profession would be to try to get into a clinic and shadow. That's going to be my No. 1 suggestion; get to see what it is and the life of a veterinary technician, a veterinarian, CSR, or veterinary assistant. Really seeing what they do every day is going to help you understand what you have in store once you become one, and then do your research. Look at aspects like, if there's not a school near you, is there an online option, is that feasible. The cost is important. You have to think about the cost of being a veterinarian, being a veterinary technician, and a veterinary assistant, etc. The cost of school [for each role] is a lot different. It doesn't mean that if you start with one, that you can't move on to be the other. So, you can start out as a veterinary assistant, see how you like it, and then continue to grow your career. Also, what are your career goals? Can you handle the hard aspects as well as the happy parts of working in the veterinary profession? And do your research, understand, you know, what the challenges are, and are you ready to sign up for that?