NAVTA E-Newsletter - July 28, 2009

Practical Tips for Veterinary Technicians by Technicians

Cover of 101 Veterinary Technician Questions

Veterinary technicians learn the skills and gain the knowledge they need to get started while in veterinary technology programs; however, there are many things that can be learned only on the job. 101 Veterinary Technician Questions Answered, written by Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR, quizzed technicians on the daily challenges they faced and offered sound advice from seasoned experts in the field. Over half of the technicians surveyed had concerns about career advancement. Dobbs provided the following excerpt from the book:

How do I make myself a more valuable asset to the practice? You can increase your value to the practice in order to gain more job satisfaction, higher pay, or a promotion you desire. First, demonstrate your knowledge and your continual pursuit to learn more. Veterinary medicine is not a stagnant field; it continues to grow and change every year with new advances in medications, treatments, equipment, and perspectives. Attend as many continuing education classes as possible. This may require you to spend money on your professional advancement beyond any allowance provided by your practice (if there is one). Bring your knowledge back to your practice and teach others with presentations, reports, or demonstrations. As you learn moreabout the medical care that is offered by your practice, you become more comfortable with the subject or product.

Clients will sense your confidence and will trust your recommendations. Building good client relationships is essential. We are entrusted with people's pets because they feel comfortable with us. With this personal relationship intact, even when mistakes are made or money is tight, clients will return to your practice instead of going elsewhere. This affects the profitability of the practice and your value can be measured in dollars and cents.

A practice that fully utilizes its technicians will pull ahead. When you do your job well, veterinarians are free to do what only they can do: diagnose, prescribe, and perform surgeries. These are the tasks that directly result in income for the practice and allow the team to see more patients.

Motivation and initiative are valuable traits. If you see something that needs to be done, do it without being asked. If something is wrong, fix it. Be proactive and you will be noticed

Your relationships with coworkers are also important. When you focus more on team accomplishments and less on your own needs, you increase your value to the practice.

Last, a good attitude toward yourself and your profession is essential. If you believe in educating yourself and others, can keep yourself and your colleagues motivated, and provide leadership or direction within your practice or group, then you become invaluable to your practice.

The question was asked, "How can I make a difference to my practice, when I am "just a technician?" The answer, unfortunately, is that you will never make a difference if you feel you are "just" a technician. When you realize that you are a skilled, knowledgeable, important and respected member of the pet healthcare team, then you can make all the difference you desire.

Click here for additional excerpts, provided by author Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR; AAHA Press, 2009.

This article is reprinted with permission from 101 Veterinary Technician Questions Answered, � 2009 AAHA Press. To purchase a copy, visit the AAHA Store at www.aahanet.org.

Katherine Dobbs, RVT, CVPM, PHR, became a registered veterinary technician in 1992. She is currently a veterinary practice consultant and owner of interFace Veterinary HR Systems, LLC. Katherine speaks at conferences and has written for numerous veterinary journals and publications.