Bridgewater, NJ – January 11, 2023. Credentialed Veterinary Technicians have interest in the “mid-level practitioner” concept but as a goal or long-term project to be accomplished over time, not as an issue that needs to be addressed right now, according to a December 2022 survey conducted by the National Association of Veterinary Technician’s in America (NAVTA).
The NAVTA survey showed strong sentiment that Veterinary Technicians are more concerned with title protection for the Veterinary Technician title, optimizing Veterinary Technician utilization, and increasing Veterinary Technician wages and compensation. In fact, in a list of eight current “hot topics,” the creation of a mid-level practitioner position for credentialed Veterinary Technicians ranked seventh, ahead of only creating such a position for non-technicians, for which there was virtually no support.
“The NAVTA Board of Directors agrees with the overwhelming data in this survey and supports the profession putting its efforts behind the issues of title protection, utilization, and higher wages,” said NAVTA President Ashli Selke, RVT, CVT. “NAVTA has made these issues its top priorities and will continue to advocate for its members on these issues.”
The NAVTA Board of Directors also notes that there are other significant issues within the discussion of the mid-level practitioner concept that warrant more attention and a slow approach. These issues include:
• Definition of a clear and unique skillset;
• Program assessment and accreditation;
• Regulatory structures on both the state and federal levels;
• Financial sustainability of the mid-level position.
NAVTA expresses its strong desire to continue to be involved in the conversations and developments with regard to the mid-level practitioner position, but notes that the association will be using its valued and limited resources in the other areas of concern expressed by its members.