The American Veterinary Medical Association is accepting nominations to fill 12 positions on the Committee on Advancing Veterinary Technicians and Technologists. Applications are due March 31, and details are at bit.ly/3JyTM67.
The committee, created in November 2022, aims to find ways to support and advance veterinary technicians, maximize their education and skills, and promote success for their employers.
According to Mars Veterinary, the U.S. veterinary profession needs 132,885 additional credentialed technicians by 2030.
The new committee is part of an AVMA effort to address the current shortage. The panel will focus on workforce issues such as high turnover, stress and burnout.
Veterinary technicians deal with other issues, too, including concerns about wages and student debt. According to a National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America survey, the average veterinary technician earns about 25% more than in 2016. Still, most don’t feel adequately compensated for their knowledge, expertise and hard work. In addition, 70% of the respondents said they experienced burnout, and 65% said compassion fatigue hindered their well-being.
The committee will work with veterinarians and veterinary technicians to identify solutions.
“One of the wonderful things about veterinary medicine is the collaboration between the veterinarian and the veterinary technician,” said Kelly Foltz, LVT, who chairs the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities. “There’s a lot of dynamism, a lot of energy and a lot of reaching across the aisle right now.”
Appointees will serve for two, four or six years.