Original Post: "Tech School; Waste of Time/Money"
OWEN_MEANY writes:
Hi all, I just wanted to throw in my 2¢ on the tech ed issue--don't mean to interrupt the conversation.
IMO, education is never a waste of time or money, even though you might not see a return on your investment for many years or maybe never. Think about how many poor English majors there are in the world. A degree in veterinary technology *may* not help much in a private practice job (depending on the practice), and it is unfortunately true that even credentials may not be very meaningful in private practice, YET.
We are approaching a tipping point in this profession. Every year there are several new VT programs created and accredited by the AVMA in the US. There are distance-education programs now widely available. Veterinary Technology is on the 30 fastest growing occupations list (http://www.bls.gov/emp/emptab21.htm) and every day more people are aware of its existence. VTs are taking jobs in practices that have never employed a VT before and the word is spreading.
At the same time, many states are moving slowly but surely towards increasing regulation of veterinary technicians. Licensing is required in more states today than ever before.
And pet owners are becoming more savvy, asking directly whether the "veterinary technicians" working on their pets are credentialed. We've even seen law suits filed against DVMs for allowing insufficiently trained individuals to perform critical tasks on their pets. Ultimately this is what will probably drive the DVMs as a whole to embrace credentialing for VTs. When they lose clients because they don't have CVTs or they fear being sued for damage/death of a pet caused by allowing non-credentialed staff to perform a VT task, then they will start to DEMAND CVTs in their practices because it will reduce their vulnerability to law suits.
All of this will take time, but instead of becoming bitter and disenchanted with the profession because we don't have what we want and deserve right now, let's focus on how we can support the growth of the profession by being a positive example, an ambassador, a liaison to and among veterinarians, pet owners, and one another. It makes me so sad to see people going public and denigrating the VT profession or VT education--I absolutely understand the frustration, but I don't think the public venting really gets us anywhere and it may be harmful. Instead, I would love to see that energy used in VTAs (veterinary technician associations)--which are desperate for active members in most states--and for VTs to start voicing concerns there and get involved as an agent for change.
We can sometimes effect change within the practice where we work, but not always. Some practice owners and DVMs are resistant to change and don't yet see the long-term advantage, but I think it is a mistake and an exercise in futility for us to become stuck in the mire of internal politics of a business that we don't have a stake (ownership) in. If a practice refuses to take progressive steps forward (don't expect revolutionary change--aim for small steps, one step at a time), then try to find a different practice to work in that is more progressive or whose values are more consistent with your own. That's not always possible or practical either, so sometimes the best we can do is to ensure that we present a professional image at work and positively represent the profession of veterinary technology--educating one person at a time. Each client that asks "what does CVT mean?" when you introduce yourself or they see it on your nametag is an opportunity to move the entire profession another small step forward.
Keep on keeping on, everyone. :)
