Pulse - October 2024 - 3

PULSE PERSPECTIVE
An Ode to Our Veterinary Technicians
V
eterinary technicians are the super glue that keep veterinary hospitals running -
they are so critical for the successful day to day of clinical veterinary medicine, and
they lend their expertise in so many different ways - with their technical skills, with
their medical knowledge, and with their compassion and empathy to name a few areas.
In honor of National Veterinary Technician Week, Oct. 13-19th, this column is a celebration
of all that veterinary technicians bring to our profession.
I've reflected on the impact they've had over the course of my education and career.
During clinical rotations in veterinary school, dealing with very green students including
myself, hospital technicians exercised great patience while teaching and sharing their
knowledge along with clinical faculty. A very similar scenario played out during my
internship year in which experienced technicians were lifesavers in learning the ropes as
a newbie veterinarian. In my early career as a wildlife and zoo veterinarian, a senior technician
showed me the ropes of proper darting technique for larger animals and careful
restraint techniques for the smaller animals and birds. In companion animal practice,
they kept me on track managing my appointments and in-patients, aiding in triage of
walk-ins, and carrying out diagnostics and treatments. There was that grabbing my
attention when a patient's condition took an unexpected turn, and that light bulb input
on unusual cases and asking if I considered a rule out that hadn't made it onto my list
yet. In my industry positions, I've seen veterinary technicians excel in non-clinical positions
including technical support, sales, product management, and leadership. There so
many niches they succeed in.
While they are making such a positive impact on animal care, the veterinary technician
profession faces many challenges that have been a focus of ongoing discussion. In
the 2022 CVMA Economic Survey, RVTs reported that while salary increased, low
pay was still a major concern followed by mental health and staffing impacting their
desire to stay in the veterinary industry. A majority noted in the survey they would not
recommend a veterinary career to a friend or family member.1
In our geography, there
is the added variable of the high cost of living. We need to do all we can to encourage
longevity in the profession, ensure veterinary technicians are utilizing their skills and
training to their fullest potential, and support them with additional training and growth
opportunities.
We should be providing that support and encouragement year-round, yet October
and Vet Tech Week gives us the special chance to share that next level appreciation.
Take the time to celebrate veterinary technicians this month, recognize team members
for their hard work and contributions, share thanks and positive shoutouts, and let
them know how invaluable they are to ensuring our veterinary patients receive exemplary
care. As I've reflected on my own journey, I know I wouldn't be the veterinarian
I am today without learning from, partnering with, and ultimately saving animal lives
with the veterinary technicians I've worked with. From my own heart - a very special
THANK YOU!
Adam Gerstein
SCVMA President
Reference
1 CVMA 2022 Economic Issues Survey https://cvma.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/REVISED2022-Economic-Issues-Survey-Full-Report-.pdf
PULSE
OCTOBER
2024
3

https://www.cvma.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/REVISED-2024-economic-issues-survey-full-report-.pdf https://www.cvma.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/REVISED-2024-economic-issues-survey-full-report-.pdf

Pulse - October 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pulse - October 2024