The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) is seeking participants in the National Credential Initiative survey.
The goal of NAVTA’s National Credential Initiative is to standardize the credential for our profession in terms of credentialing requirements, title, and scope of practice throughout the nation to unite the profession of veterinary technology. In the current state, veterinary technician titles can be CVT, RVT, LVT, or LVMT and have varying standards to meet throughout the nation depending on the state of credentialing. This leads to confusion of the profession’s identity and value within the veterinary field and with the public.
Whether the title of the profession to be promoted should be “Veterinary Technician” or “Veterinary Nurse” is one of the several aspects of the initiative NAVTA is working diligently on and would like the opinions of all types of veterinary professionals. NAVTA has been having productive discussions with national human nursing regulatory and advocacy groups with signs of support rather than opposition.
56% of veterinary technicians change jobs within the first 5 years of employment and half of them leave veterinary medicine altogether. With a key reason for leaving being the lack of respect and recognition in their role, the issue weighs heavily on the profession’s future.
It is important for all veterinary professionals to be a part of this change and help shape the future of veterinary medicine by participating in the discussions with veterinary technicians.
Please take the survey located at http://www.navta.net/?page=
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kenichiro Yagi, BS, RVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM) practices at Adobe Animal Hospital in California as an ICU and Blood Bank Manager. He is an active educator lecturing and providing practical instruction internationally, and has authored texts, chapters, and articles on transfusion medicine, respiratory care, and critical care nursing. He serves on the board for the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society, Academy of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Technicians, and the Veterinary Innovation Council, and as the NAVTA State Representative Chairperson and a co-chair of the NAVTA National Credential Task Force. Ken invites everyone to ask “Why?” to understand the “What” and “How” of our field, and to constantly pursue new limits as veterinary professionals.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenichiro-yagi-a89b3897
