VPN Plus+ ExclusiveWhy title protection mattersFebruary 9, 2023The justification behind title change efforts is multi-faceted. Title change is an effort to simplify public education and understanding of what the veterinary technician's role on the team is. Some proponents believe a title change will translate into better pay for vet techs. Others believe a new title will end the pervasive title misuse currently occurring at all levels within the veterinary profession.
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveVet technicians need and want title protection; why so inconsistent?March 3, 2022By Ashli Selke, RVT, CVTTitle protection across our profession lacks continuity. The guidelines for this vary across the United States, which creates a huge misunderstanding from within the profession as well as consumers. How can anyone keep up when our title is protected in one state but not even recognized in another? The answer is, we can’t. So, we need to work together to bring the “big” issues to the forefront.
AAHA supports veterinary nurse initiative to standardize professionNovember 21, 2018The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) board of directors has voted to support a veterinary nurse initiative to standardize the credential and title used for the profession throughout the country.
Veterinary ethics group supports Veterinary Nurse InitiativeAugust 27, 2018The Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME), which promotes discussion and debate of ethical issues relevant to veterinary practice, has announced its support of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative to create a registered veterinary nurse credential. This initiative seeks to bring continuity to the title through a multiyear, state to state strategy to work within legislation overseeing credentialing for veterinary technicians. "The SVME fully recognizes the professionalism and essential knowledge and skill brought to the team by veterinary technicians as vital members of the healthcare team and has expanded its own executive board membership to ensure the inclusion of veterinary technicians, who face many different as well as many of the same ethical concerns as their veterinarian team members," the association said in a statement. Veterinary technicians currently are identified under various titles, including certified veterinary technician, registered veterinary technician, and licensed veterinary technicians, which leads to confusion and decreased public understanding of the education and skill required of the position, the group added. "The SVME is in support of title unification and consistent educational standards nationwide to reduce confusion from inconsistent nomenclature and to increase the awareness of the role of veterinary technicians, the profession of …
Patterson pledges support of Veterinary Nurse InitiativeMay 2, 2018Patterson Veterinary has announced its support of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative, an effort proposed by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) to unite those working in the veterinary technician profession under a single title, with single credentialing requirements and a single scope of practice. The initiative will pursue legislative amendments in all 50 states to establish the credential of registered veterinary nurse (RVN), substituting registered veterinary technician (RVT), licensed veterinary technician (LVT), certified veterinary technician or licensed veterinary medical technician. NAVTA asserts standardization of the credential will align public perceptions of the role technicians play in veterinary clinics, effectively elevating practice standards and leading to better patient care. Heather Prendergast, RVT, CVPM, SPHR, Patterson Veterinary's education development specialist, agrees with NAVTA's stance. An active supporter of the initiative, Prendergast is a member of the Veterinary Nurse Initiative workgroup and acting co-chair of the National Credential Task Force. She argues the term "veterinary nurse" will better reflect RVTs and LVTs position as caregivers for patients as well as scientific technicians. "There has long been a need for common credentialing in this area," said Prendergast. "The responsibilities and job tasks of a …
