Integrating veterinary technicians’ full skill set
In an increasingly demanding veterinary landscape, the underutilization of veterinary technicians (CVTs, LVTs, and RVTs) represents a missed opportunity for practices to improve efficiency, patient care, and financial health. This presentation outlines actionable strategies for optimizing VT utilization by leveraging their full skill set, moving beyond traditional assistant roles. We will discuss the importance of clearly defining roles based on state practice acts and educational qualifications, and explore how empowering VTs in areas like appointments, diagnostic procedures, and client education can free up veterinarian time for complex medical tasks. The presentation will feature case studies and practical tools from guidelines like those from the AAHA to demonstrate how intentional workflow redesign can increase practice revenue by as much as 36%, improve team morale, and enhance client satisfaction.
This session originally was presented at AVMA Convention 2026.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Differentiate the roles, responsibilities, and scope of practice of credentialed veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants to support effective team utilization.
- Apply strategies to empower veterinary technicians through education, delegation, and skill utilization to improve team engagement and patient care.
- Analyze the impact of full veterinary technician utilization on practice efficiency, patient outcomes, and financial performance using current utilization and revenue data.
| Leah is a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and Practice Manager who began her career in veterinary medicine in 2007 at the age of 13. Inspired by her mother, a veterinary professional, she developed a passion for the field early in life. She graduated from the Maple Woods Veterinary Technology program in 2019, where she served as Class President and received Metropolitan Community College's Student of the Year Award for academic excellence. Throughout her career, Leah has been particularly interested in anesthesia, pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, and nutrition. After transitioning from clinical practice into practice management, she became a strong advocate for registered veterinary technician title protection and full utilization. She is passionate about educating veterinary professionals on the value of technician utilization, emphasizing its positive impact on patient care, team satisfaction, and practice success. Outside of work, Leah enjoys spending time with family and friends, competing in adult volleyball and pickleball leagues, and relaxing with her cats, Carrot and Blackberry. She is also an avid sudoku enthusiast. |
