Strengthening technician voices in veterinary clinics

When it comes to the veterinary clinic, veterinary technicians play a crucial role in the day-to-day operations. Whether it is interacting with fellow staff members, educating and talking to clients, or performing their duties as a technician, they are involved completely in the care of patients from start to finish. Because of their involvement, they can take on the role of advocating for what is best for the patient, but to do that they need to know that their voices will be heard.

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“So what is it with advocacy? The official definition is any action that speaks in favor or of supports, depends or pleads on behalf of others. Basically it is support and it is speaking. We hear the word advocacy. Sometimes we think of like social justice, and it is for that. But advocacy can really be anything. We are just offering support and help on behalf of others,” Melissa Evans, LVT, CVT, VTS (ECC), said at the beginning of her lecture.

During her lecture "Patient Advocate & Personal Advocate: Speaking Up and Speaking Out as a Technician" at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention in Washington, DC, Evans shared with attendees that in order to advocate for patients, you also need to advocate for yourself. Throughout the lecture, Evans shared how to take initiative, be prepared, and other ways to make sure your voice is heard in your veterinary clinic.

Why advocate

When it comes to 'why' advocate, Evans explained the answer is a lot simpler when it comes to patients: They cannot advocate for themselves, so they need someone to do it for them. Through medical knowledge, training, and relationships with patients and veterinarians, technicians can utilize all of this to make the best choices for patients. However, when it comes to advocating for technicians, Evans expressed this can be a little more difficult.

According to Evans, technicians are programed to give their all, so they are more likely to go that extra mile, rarely say 'no' when asked, and constantly step up to help in times of need. This then causes technicians to burn out quickly, but setting boundaries at work can help. However, to have boundaries set technicians need to advocate for them within their clinics.

“The reason to advocate may be persuasive but knowing how to advocate for yourself is more difficult,” Evans said.

Taking initiative

Burnout and success are potential outcomes that can happen to a veterinary technician if they do not or do advocate for themselves. Clinics will have all different types of employees, some who care about work-life balance and career development and those who might not at all. When someone you work with shares opinions on these matters that differ from yours or it is not being as much of a priority as it is to you, take the initiative to bring the conversation to the table, in a clear and effective way.

When you start the conversation, and are prepared to have it, it means you can take some control over the conversation. This will not always be the case if talking to management or co-workers, and sometimes conversations that you don’t initiate will not go the way you expect or want them to, if only because you are not fully prepared for the conversation. When prepared, according to Evans, you can make sure you get to say your piece and be heard.

“Sometimes seeing one person speak up helps other people speak up. Sometimes you have to be that change. You have to be the one taking the risk to lower the risks for other people. And yeah, that's super scary, but it helps you to build confidence in all places in your life. And also you don't know what's going to happen until you do it,” Evan explained to attendees.

Being prepared

It is one thing to say you are prepared, but how prepared are you for the conversation? Being prepared means doing your homework according to Evans. Where do you want to end up long term? Where are you currently in your career? These are some of the questions technicians should ask themselves to prepare for starting the conversation at work. Also, what are nonnegotiable or flexible to you? For example, maybe you are working late because you are not a parent so other coworkers that are parents can be home for family dinner, but this is causing you to burnout. If this is something that is not working for you, bring it up in your conversation and make it clear.

"Come prepared for these conversations when you do it, if you aren't sure what value you bring right then go to your doctors, go to your other technicians, assistants, and say, 'Hey, can I get your feedback on my work? Like, what do you like about what I do? What, what don't you like? How can I improve?'" Evans encouraged AVMA attendees.

"Be open minded. You're not perfect. There are ways you can improve. There are ways I can improve I'm sure. Make sure you know what it is you want to work on, so that when you go have this conversation, you have everything you need know your values. This is so hard for technicians. We're here to take. Care of the patients, absolutely, 100% but we have value," she continued.

In conclusion

Advocating for yourself can be tough but doing it for what you need at work can positively impact your entire life. Knowing what you want and don’t, plus knowing how to make your voice heard when you take that initiative to have the conversation, helps you realize your worth and that you deserve to be heard in the exam room, management office, and beyond. Together through advocacy, technicians can become stronger advocates for their patients as well.

Reference

1. Evans M. Patient Advocate & Personal Advocate: Speaking Up and Speaking Out as a Technician. Presented at: American Veterinary Medical Association Convention; Washington, DC: July 18-22, 2025.