These heroes wear scrubs: the important work of Registered Veterinary Technicians
Posted on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022
October is Registered Veterinary Technician’s (RVT) month — a time to recognize the amazing work of RVTs in helping to keep our furry friends healthy and happy.
For RVT month we took a trip over to Algonquin College’s V Building to chat with students and staff from the Veterinary Technician program about the everyday role of a veterinary technician, the changes that are shaping the future of veterinary medicine, and their overflowing passion for their work.
“Skilled veterinary technicians are integral to a successful clinic. Technicians have so many roles within a clinic: anesthetist, dental hygienist, laboratory technician, venipuncturist, pharmacist, nurse, X-ray technician, educator, and surgical assistant to name a few,” says Algonquin College Veterinary Technician Professor, Dr. Amy Brown.
Every day, students buzz around the clinic jumping from regular health check-ups, immunization, and daily animal wellness to surgical procedures including spaying and neutering, microchipping, and more. No day is the same in veterinary medicine, which is something second year Veterinary Technician student, Emma Halchuck, says drew her to the profession.
“As a child I wanted to be an actor and a cowgirl when I grew up. After nearly a decade creating theatre, I have shifted my focus to my other dream of working with animals. Although not quite what I had in mind as a six-year-old, 20 years later I am eager to become an RVT to work with a variety of animals and their people,” says Halchuk.
With so many veterinary technician programs to choose from across Canada, Halchuk says it’s the hands-on learning opportunity that made Algonquin College’s program stand out.
“I appreciate that Algonquin College has animals onsite, which gives us the chance to practice our skills. We also can shadow veterinary professionals at Alta Vista Animal Hospital, which has been very beneficial for our learning and professional development,” says Halchuk.
With graduation looming, Halchuck is looking forward to starting her career in veterinary medicine. But her excitement isn’t without concern.
Like many industries, COVID-19 has magnified the workforce crisis in the veterinary field. Staffing shortages are leading to burnout and compassion fatigue across the sector. Low wages and increased client demand only serve to further exacerbate this issue.
But Dr. Brown says there are important changes happening in the sector and at the College that are making the field more appealing to students and practicing RVTs.
A student in the Veterinary Technician program preforms a health check-up on one of the feline residents.
“RVTs are very skilled individuals who should be treated and paid as such. Thankfully we are beginning to see that,” says Dr. Brown. “The average ‘lifespan’ for a veterinary technician’s career is five years. I hope that with improved recognition, pay and respect, we will be able to extend that so more technicians stay within the field.”
Dr. Brown says the perception and day-to-day work of RVTs is changing as well — respect, responsibility, and trust has increased.
“There are constantly new innovations cropping up for technicians to specialize in. Effective therapies and diagnostics are becoming more widely used and available such as laparoscopic surgery, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, physical rehabilitation, laser therapy, MRIs and behaviour therapy,” says Dr. Brown. “RVTs are also now being utilized more effectively. Many veterinarians are happy to have RVTs perform the variety of roles they have been trained for, where in the past the Veterinarian would typically preform the blood draws, vaccination, etc.”
At the College, things are changing as well.
Dr. Amy Brown preforms a surgical neuter procedure with the help of two Veterinary Technician students.
“In the Veterinary Technician program at Algonquin College we are having more discussions about compassion fatigue, mental health and how to protect ourselves within the field,” shares Dr. Brown. “A panel has been set up for students to meet with AC graduate technicians who work in various areas of veterinary medicine, including those who have specialized in emergency medicine, internal medicine, rehabilitation therapy, and exotic animals.”
Dr. Brown and her colleagues have also incorporated a ‘mental health minute’ into their rounds during clinical surgery labs where they take a moment to breathe and do a personal check-in of their mental health and that of their colleagues.
These positive changes seem to be working; already a popular program, Algonquin College has seen a steady upward trend in applications for the Veterinary Technician program. Students flock from all over the country to train as RVTs in the College’s hands-on environment. Dr. Brown accredits much of this uptake to a shift in perception.
“I think the recent challenges we’ve faced in the field have really brought to light the importance of RVTs — this month is an amazing opportunity to celebrate their hard work and how meaningful a career as an RVT really is.”
To learn more about the RVT program, visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/healthandcommunity/program/veterinary-technician/.