Latest News

Food Animal Matters – A role for registered veterinary technicians in food animal practice

February 26, 2024

Robert Tremblay

Introduction
In June 2022, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association convened a Veterinary Workforce Congress. Among the priorities identified from the Congress was one focused on building and managing effective veterinary teams, including by using the full knowledge and capacity of registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) (1).

There is limited published research on the use and impact of RVTs in food animal practice in Canada. A survey in Ontario in which most respondents were primarily based in small-animal practice determined that, for each additional RVT/veterinarian in the practice, the gross income for each veterinarian increased by almost $80 000 CAD (2). Research in the United States also suggests that practices making use of RVTs and other non-medical staff also increased revenue and productivity. In that study, researchers determined that use of RVTs and other non-medical staff in small-animal and mixed-animal practices increased practice revenue by 17% and increased veterinary productivity by 14% (3). Mixed-animal practices were defined as those having at least 25% bovine and equine activity. In an earlier survey in the United States, use of veterinary technicians was also associated with increased income; however, the practice type was not specified (4).

In this column, Irene Moore explains the training process for RVTs and their required capabilities in relation to food animal practice. Kristen Edwards describes how Tavistock Veterinarians in Ontario works with RVTs not only to perform individual clinical tasks but also to implement entire programs on its clients’ dairy farms. Jessica Law and Teryn Girard describe how their practice works with RVTs to extend the services they can provide to their swine and poultry clients in Alberta.

Leveraging registered veterinary technicians in large animal practices: How can they help?
Irene Moore, DVM, MSc, BSc (Agr), Ridgetown Campus, University of Guelph, Ontario

There is a worldwide shortage of veterinary professionals. In particular, there is a dearth of large-animal practitioners, particularly in remote and rural areas in many parts of Canada. Although increased attention is being paid to how registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) can help alleviate workloads for companion animal veterinary practitioners, less has been published about leveraging RVTs in large-animal practices. As a veterinarian involved in veterinary technology education for decades, I feel there is a largely untapped pool of talent that can help provide veterinary services in large-animal practice. Many practitioners are unaware of the breadth and depth of knowledge that RVTs possess.

What is a registered veterinary technician?
Registered veterinary technicians are graduates of an accredited veterinary technology or animal health technology program. They also must have written the Veterinary Technician National Examination, which is taken by graduates across North America to assess entry-level knowledge. They must maintain their credentials through mandatory continuing education. Some provinces have additional requirements for achieving or maintaining credentials, such as completing a professionalism and ethics course or undergoing a police background check.

In Canada, there are 18 RVT programs accredited by the CVMA. One program (at Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia) has a totally online option, whereas 2 programs (at University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, Ontario and Olds College, Alberta) have alternative or blended program options. To become accredited, programs must demonstrate and document that students have acquired a number of essential, hands-on skills in addition to didactic knowledge. Whereas many of the skills are transferable between companion animal and largeanimal practice, there are specific skills required for equines and ruminants. Equine skills include restraint and handling, jugular venipuncture, equine tail and leg wraps, and various parenteral E injections. Optional skills include nasogastric tubing and preparing mares for vaginal exams and cervical culture testing. Ruminant skills include restraint and handling, various injection techniques including intradermal injections and intramammary medications, administering medication with a balling gun, and operating a cattle chute. Some programs also have students learn to use an oral speculum and stomach tube. In addition to these skills, students learn procedures used in all species, including those related to hematology, biochemical testing, microbiology, parasitology, anesthesia, and aseptic techniques. They also learn about necropsy procedures, which involves collecting and processing samples and sending them for analysis.

What can they not do?
Although each province regulates veterinary technicians differently, there is consistency regarding which tasks veterinarians are not allowed to delegate to anyone other than to another veterinarian. These include diagnosis, prognosis, prescription, and performing major surgery. This means there are numerous procedures that can be delegated to RVTs. Veterinary practitioners may not be aware of what they can delegate, or they may be hesitant because they are concerned that they are ultimately responsible for potential negative outcomes. Nonetheless, veterinarians who have allowed RVTs to expand their scope of practice experience are able to assist more clients and accomplish tasks more efficiently, leading to a better work/life balance for everyone.

So, what could they do?
Many practices are already utilizing RVTs to help with administrative tasks in the clinic. Some veterinarians are having their RVTs accompany them on herd-health visits to help with tasks such as vaccinations, TPRs, and dehorning. In equine practices, RVTs may help with lameness exams, teeth floating, semen evaluation, radiographs, etc. For all species, they can perform local anesthesia, prepare surgical sites, and assist with surgical procedures. However, with the increased availability of teleconferencing, RVTs could potentially do even more. For instance, an RVT could be sent to do a postmortem examination on an animal and send pictures or video of the gross findings to the veterinarian. The veterinarian could then determine whether a diagnosis can be made or indicate which samples the RVT should take for further analysis. An RVT could also be sent to attend medical cases where they could perform physical exams and communicate their findings to the supervising veterinarian. They could either administer treatments on the farm or take blood, urine, or cytology samples. They could also complete follow-up farm calls to ensure animals are progressing as expected. The RVTs could also be involved extensively in client education, animal welfare, and public health.

Next steps
Since the vast majority of RVTs work in companion animal practice, most colleges focus their training on skills transferable to both large and small animals. However, if there were more opportunities for graduates in food animal and equine practices, many would be interested in providing more training and education in those areas. The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, for instance, is looking at offering a post-diploma specialization in food animal and equine practice. Practitioners interested in expanding the role of RVTs in their practices should discuss where potential gaps in knowledge or skills exist specific to large animals, to determine the best way to fill them.

Leveraging RVTs has additional benefits for the veterinary practice. By providing opportunities for RVTs to expand their role, practices are more likely to attract and retain RVTs. By having RVTs perform tasks that would otherwise be performed by the veterinarian, there is also an opportunity to provide better compensation for the RVT. Finally, with more veterinary personnel available to provide services, producers and the health of their livestock will benefit.

Working with registered veterinary technicians in dairy programs
Kristen Edwards, BSc, DVM, Tavistock Veterinarians, Tavistock, Ontario

The field of bovine veterinary medicine is experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, creating a pressing need to reevaluate the way services are provided to farmers. Traditionally, veterinarians have been tasked with both consultation and technical services. However, as the demand for more consultation-level services grows, there is a recognized need to delegate technical tasks more effectively. Registered veterinary technicians (RVTs), with their specialized training, are well-suited to undertake these technical services, allowing veterinarians to focus on providing consultative advice and comprehensive strategies for herd-health management. This shift not only addresses the scarcity of bovine veterinarians but also ensures that farmers receive more targeted and valuable support. By strategically working with technicians in various facets of the practice, veterinarians can provide more comprehensive services to their clients.

Vaccination, dehorning, and castration
This is perhaps the most traditional way in which veterinary technicians have been employed. By taking on routine procedures such as vaccination, dehorning, and castration, veterinary technicians “free up” veterinarians to focus on more complex cases while providing a valuable service to farmers who otherwise may not prioritize these tasks. This not only maximizes productivity but also ensures that each animal receives timely care.

Data management in calf-health programs
Veterinary technicians can be invaluable in gathering data for calf-health programs. This includes weighing calves, collecting blood for serum total protein assessments, routine performance of thoracic ultrasound evaluations, and performing hygiene audits using a luminometer (5). By diligently capturing and managing these data, technicians enable veterinarians to analyze the data and create detailed reports for clients with actionable recommendations for improving calf health.

Fresh cow monitoring programs
Veterinary technicians can spearhead fresh cow monitoring programs, collecting a variety of data on parameters such as temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, fecal consistency, California Mastitis Test results, rumen motility, and blood ketones. This comprehensive data collection helps veterinarians assess a farm’s transition cow program and overall health of fresh cows and suggest necessary protocol or management changes based on their analysis.

Calf barn ventilation assessments
Ensuring optimal ventilation in calf barns is essential for maintaining good health. Veterinary technicians can collect data relating to barn dimensions, air speed, and air exchanges per hour to help assess the effectiveness of a barn’s ventilation system. These data can then be analyzed by veterinarians to provide feedback on areas for improvement. The RVTs’ assessments can be key in identifying changes that can significantly affect calf well-being.

DairyComp data entry
Veterinary technicians can assist in streamlining herd health visits by inputting relevant data into the DairyComp herd management tool (6), which is especially helpful for farmers who do not use computer software programs to monitor pregnancy diagnoses. By generating lists for these visits, technicians ensure that veterinarians can focus on specific needs and concerns, enhancing the precision and efficiency of the visit.

Charging for services
Depending on the service provided, clients are charged either an hourly RVT rate (for individual animal procedures such as dehorning) or a program fee (if the service is part of a program such as a calf program or fresh cow program).

How registered veterinary technologists contribute in a swine and poultry practice
Jessica Law, DVM and Teryn Girard, BSc, MSc, DVM, Prairie Livestock Veterinarians, Red Deer and Lethbridge, Alberta

Prairie Livestock Veterinarians (PLV) is a food-production veterinary clinic specializing in swine and poultry medicine in western Canada. The registered veterinary technologists (RVTs) at this clinic are integral to the success of our practice through their support of client retention and relationships with our clients.

Our RVTs’ professional activities at the clinic level focus on managing sample collection, laboratory submissions, and on-farm relationships with clients. Unique to PLV is the integration of our RVTs into our on-farm services through data management, production audits, and vaccination audits. It became apparent early on that the RVTs have the skills required to offer a range of services at the farm and producer levels. They can devote more time to a few producers rather than being spread thin across many.

Our RVTs relate well with producers and have a deep understanding of barn and staff management. This has created a unique niche for our RVTs, enabling producers to consult with the RVT team regarding optimal management, diagnostic sample collection and submission, vaccination management, and appropriate vaccination protocols. Expanding the roles of RVTs allows veterinarians to focus on herd and flock health specifically. The day-to-day relationship with producers now includes not only the veterinarians and the front-office staff, but also our veterinary technologists. This gives us the ability to provide a whole-team approach to the care of the farms. This ability to serve our clients at multiple levels also allows greater flexibility in how the clinic provides services. The active role that RVTs play on clients’ farms has led to the RVTs at PLV being seen not just as an extension of the veterinarians but also as professionals providing an additional service.

Opportunities to expand registered veterinary technologists’ credentials and skill sets
As the roles of the RVT team evolved to meet the needs of the swine and poultry industries, amplifying their continuing education became both a necessity and a more rewarding part of their job. As their knowledge evolved, the PLV RVTs identified areas they were passionate about and within which they wanted to develop their skills. For one RVT, this meant developing a new service within the clinic that focused on small-flock and small-herd management and welfare. Another of our RVTs expanded her skills in hatchery and breeder-farm management, with specific focus on bird welfare, ventilation, and biosecurity. Providing and allowing for diversification in the RVTs’ experience and skill sets increased their job satisfaction and our ability to retain staff. This has been fundamental to the success of the clinic’s growth.

Charging for services
Similar to the way we charge veterinary service fees, PLV charges either an hourly RVT fee for specific services or an RVT retainer fee determined by contract when providing comprehensive services for animal husbandry and welfare. A useful guideline for determining the appropriate charge for RVT services is to use the veterinary service fees as a benchmark. Depending on the service provided, the RVT charge may be valued as equivalent to a veterinarian’s service fee time, or it may be charged at a lower cost. The cost per hour will depend on the cost of overhead and the needs of the clinic compared with demand and would be specific to individual clinics.

The role of the RVT will continue to evolve at PLV to meet the needs of our clients. The goal of the veterinary team at PLV is to continue to harness the passion and skill of the RVTs so they can continue to be part of the evolution in the industries to which they are integral.

Conclusion
The impact of having RVTs as active members of the veterinary service team is not well-researched in food animal practice. A review of the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards valued by RVTs, relying primarily on data from companion animal practice, contained the following statement: “This survey indicates the presence of multiple intrinsic rewards within the [RVT] profession including the ability to affect the well-being of animal patients, the formation of relationships with pet owners and coworkers, managing a variety of challenges, problem solving, having opportunities to maintain competence in medical/surgical/technology topics, contributing as part of a larger health care team, and feeling that clients respect their professional advice” (7). It is probable that RVTs in food animal practice would value very similar intrinsic rewards from being part of a veterinary care team.