• ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspective
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 LIVE!™
Insights
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Client Handouts
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Coverage
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2022 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2022 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Survey finds striking misconceptions surrounding veterinary technicians

March 29, 2022
dvm360 Staff
dvm360, dvm360 May 2022, Volume 53, Issue 5
Pages: 22

Many respondents reported misbeliefs regarding technicians' roles, responsibilities, education, and skills.

This article was updated with additional information on May 4, 2022.

A survey conducted by The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) asked pet owners nationwide if they knew who cared for their pets at the veterinary clinic. The results revealed that pet owners trust and have positive feelings towards credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians. However, significant misconceptions surrounding their role, responsibilities, education, and skills remain.

"Like their counterparts in human healthcare, credentialed veterinary nurses and technicians are also highly skilled professionals, providing life-saving and life-enhancing care for pets as well as emotional support," said Harold Davis, BA, RVT, VTS (Emergency and Critical Care) (Anesthesia and Analgesia), NAVC board president, in an organizational release.1

"Respondents indicated they value veterinary nurses/technicians; now it's up to us to do a better job by educating pet owners how vital they are to the veterinary healthcare team, so their skills can be better leveraged for the benefit of animals everywhere," he continued.

The results demonstrated1:

  • 47% of pet parents were unaware that the role of the credentialed veterinary nurse/technician consists of performing medical tasks and procedures
  • 73%, understood the veterinary technician role involved cleaning cages, removing animal waste, feeding or grooming pets (responsibilities typically performed by less experienced and non-credentialed staff)
  • 63% percent of pet owners did not know credentialed veterinary nurses and technicians are the animal healthcare equivalent of registered nurses
  • 20% of respondents mistakenly thought that veterinary nurses/technicians have less than 2 years of higher education. Plus, they are unaware of the national exam needed to achieve a license or the requirements for continued education to maintain that license.

"The vast majority of credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians hold an associate degree in veterinary technology with many obtaining and now seeking out their bachelor's to further their career goals. They have passed a national exam, are licensed, certified, or registered by an external governing body in their state," said Ashli Selke RVT, CVT, president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), in the release.1

"We are educated healthcare professionals who understand the whys behind the science and can advocate wholly for our patients,” she added.

Additionally, the survey discovered that when respondents were more educated regarding credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians, their views changed. This included1:

  • 69% of pet parents would feel more confident and comfortable with the level of care veterinary nurses/technicians can offer
  • 84% would trust them as much as a veterinarian

"Credentialed veterinary technicians are deeply passionate individuals who are committed to caring for animals and supporting their owners. It's important that we help pet owners understand the critical role credentialed veterinary technicians have as part of the medical team and their dedication to the health and well-being of their patients," said Carolyn Spivock, RVT, director of veterinary technician and assistant development, VCA Animal Hospitals, in the release.

"We believe that as pet owners better understand the medical knowledge, advanced skills and expertise of credentialed veterinary technicians, coupled with the compassionate care they provide, their confidence and trust in technicians will increase. Building stronger relationships between veterinary technicians and pet owners is one meaningful way we can continue to improve care for pets and grow the support we can offer our clients," Spivock added.

The survey was completed as part of a national awareness and education campaign spearheaded by the NAVC and VCA Animal Hospitals, with support from NAVTA. This campaign is associated with the Veterinary Nurse Empowerment Initiative, a recently launched program designed to elevate and accelerate credentialed veterinary nurses/technicians.

Reference

Who’s involved in the care of your pet when they go to the vet? The answer may surprise you. News release. North American Veterinary Community. March 29, 2022. Accessed May 4, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/whos-involved-in-the-care-of-your-pet-when-they-go-to-the-vet-the-answer-may-surprise-you-301512147.html

download issueDownload Issue: dvm360 May 2022

Related Content:

TechniciansClient Relations & Marketingdvm360 May 2022
Animal pain management: where have we been and where are we going?
Animal pain management: where have we been and where are we going?
Social media marketing tips and tricks
Social media marketing tips and tricks
Euthanasia attendants in modern practice
Euthanasia attendants in modern practice

Latest News

Animal pain management: where have we been and where are we going?

ACANA hairball control food receives FDA approval

Wellness Pet Company debuts new brand of natural dog treats

Louisville Zoo welcomes baby zebra

View More Latest News