Career Ladder – Implementation
Introduction:
Today, in California and throughout the United States, it is generally agreed there is a shortage of veterinarians and in California it is safe to say there is a severe shortage of Registered Veterinary Technicians. California has approximately 7200 practicing veterinarians and only 3400 RVT’s.
In the early 1980s the first class of students were passing their state boards and were at that time referred to as Animal Heath Technicians (AHT’s). At that time approximately six schools were offering a two year program that qualified students to take the state board exam. Today, there are 12 sites that offer these programs including three sites operated by trade schools. Sadly, the number of students sitting for the board exams is almost the same as it was twelve years ago. And tragically one of the community college programs is closing due to low enrollment numbers.
Since the conception of the veterinary technician program it has basically remained the same. Upon completion of an accepted program, candidates are allowed to sit for the state board exam and if successful began their career as a board certified veterinary technician. Fifteen years ago this same shortage was evident and this author introduced three innovations to address the issue. The Career Ladder and Certificate Programs in Community Colleges were enthusiastically accepted by the Board of Governors and directives were given to promote and develop these concepts. At the same time the Five Year Plan was also accepted. For reasons unknown to this author the Career Ladder and the Certificate Programs were dropped by the CVMA. The Five year plan still exists and accounts for an average of six new candidates per year for the state board exam.
Presently the RVT Committee of the Veterinary Medical Board is promoting some new job tasks for RVT’s. These tasks would describe some specific activities the only RVT’s could perform. It is assumed that the purpose is to attract more people to the profession. Unfortunately this has created a conflict between some RVT’s and the CVMA. The conflict revolves around two issues. The first is a perceived encroachment by the job tasks into what is seen as the practice of veterinary medicine. The second is a perceived threat to present activities, now performed by non-licensed technicians, which if enacted would have financial impact on some veterinarians. While this conflict is absorbing a large amount of energy and time, it unfortunately does not address the big issue - a severe shortage of RVT’s. It also does not offer a long term solution to the problem.
This brings us to the present tense and the big question - "What can we do to attract, develop, and retain more people to the vocation of Registered Veterinary Technician?"
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A Bold and Realistic Proposal:
A. Accept, develop, and promote the concept of the Career Ladder.
The Career Ladder will serve as an instrument of attraction,
Human resource development and retention.
B. Accept and lobby the Veterinary Medical Board, community
Community colleges, and the AVMA to accept and utilize
the concept of Certificate Programs.
Certificate Programs in community colleges will shorten the
access time to take the RVT board examination. The Career
Ladder will encourage and reward these people to complete
the A.A. degree and continue with their professional growth.
C. Clearly define the activities and responsibilities of veterinary
assistants and Registered Veterinary Technicians and establish a
goal for a time when these activities will be enforced.
The efforts and the accomplishments of people who become
RVT’s must be validated and respected. With a clearly defined
scope of practice that is enforced, the quality
service we offer the public is enhanced.
D. Develop and aggressively enact a program to promote the
vocation of Registered Veterinary Technician.
This program will be directed to schools, ROP Programs,
and the general public. It will be directed to employees in veterinary facilities. And most importantly, it will be directed to veterinarians.
E. Investigate and promote the use of Distance Education.
Distance Education brings the information necessary for
vocational development to any student in any location and will
clearly enhance access to a career in veterinary medicine.
Existing Community College programs would be the logical
source of this concept.