Technician Growth Journey: Spotlighting Veterinary Technician Specialists

•  Our Penn Foster Veterinary Technician Program enables team members, sponsored by Thrive Pet Healthcare, to pursue their AVMA-CVTEA accreditation at their own pace while continuing to work within their home hospitals. 

• On-demand, RACE-approved continuing education is available to all team members, including specific offerings geared toward technicians.
• We also offer Technician Growth Scholarships that provide technicians the opportunity to participate in training opportunities, with the cost subsidized by Thrive Pet Healthcare.

• In the beginning of this year, we implemented a universal wage minimum across the entire network. We also recognize that geographic differences impact the cost of living, so we adjusted the wage level in specific markets accordingly. Also this year, we introduced a Milestone Anniversary Program that celebrates the longstanding service and tenure of Thrivers with significant cash bonuses.

Ask a Veterinary Technician Specialist

• graduating from an accredited associates or bachelor’s degree program
• passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination
• earning CVT/LVT/RVT credentials
• 3-5 years of on-the-job experience in the given specialty area
• completing more than 40 hours of continuing education
• submitting case logs and detailed case studies
• passing a specialty exam

• Sheridan: When I was initially made aware that sub-specialities existed, I was already intrigued. I've always been a perfectionist and over achiever. While I decided not to pursue the veterinarian route years ago, I knew I wanted to make the very best out of my career. Ultimately, what led me to pursuing my VTS was to become an advocate for the profession, a mentor for my peers, and a better technician for my patients. 
• Sandra: I did my tech school internship in an ECC rotation at the University of Minnesota. While I was there, I met a few VTS's in ECC and some in other specialties as well who made a huge impact on me. They were so good at their job and knowledgeable. Mostly, the staff, residents and interns held a lot of respect for these technicians and that was really impressionable. I really like challenges and saw it as a challenge to be that good at my job.
• Jennifer: I got this flyer that said something about veterinary technician specialists, and was like, “What is that?” I wouldn't say I felt stagnant at that time, but I wanted to do something more, just for myself.
• Brandon: I fell in love with emergency/critical care (ECC), and while working in the ICU at a specialty hospital in 2014, I saw so many complex/interesting cases. I remember my coworker mentioning that we should both get our VTS in ECC — I didn't begin the application process until after I left that hospital, but it was definitely there that my decision to pursue it was solidified. 

• Sheridan: The road to becoming a VTS was a challenge to say the least. It taught me how dedication, persistence, and maybe a few sleepless nights can really change the trajectory of one's pathway in life. As a baby technician, I entered this industry unsure of what it had to offer in the long term, believing that there wasn't much advancement beyond being a regular veterinary technician. Becoming a VTS has further solidified my passion for this industry and my commitment to continue to improve it to the best of my ability.
• Brandon: Being a VTS makes me a better trainer, teacher and mentor. I'm constantly keeping myself up to date with continuing education and research, so that I can incorporate it into my training.
• Shilo: Assisting the doctor – we are able to schedule more procedures since the doctor is comfortable with me performing while she does examinations. The doctors really like having a VTS in their practice – they can assist the staff with client questions and make decisions when the doctor is out of office. It also helps with client confidence as well.​​​
• Sandra: The depth of knowledge was invaluable. Instead of knowing what to do or a superficial reason why, I learned about fracture physics and tension forces to understand which implants would be most appropriate, how to anticipate what hemostats and ligating devices to hand to the surgeon so they don't need to look up from the arterial bleed while doing an adrenalectomy. I also really enjoy training, so the knowledge helped to train more effectively and deeply. I like to say that I enjoy infecting others with my surgical nerdism.

• Brandon: That it's a lot of hard work, but if it's something you are interested in, go for it!
• Jennifer: 1) Be organized, because all the academies are very particular when it comes to what you're submitting. 2) Don't do it for someone else. It's too hard to be doing it if your heart isn't in it. 3) Get a mentor. Find support. Reach out wherever you can, because you're going to have a lot of questions. You need a cheerleader behind you.
• Sandra: Don’t box yourself in. New techs (to the field or to specialty) can be very focused on the first department they try, but you need to cross train with other departments or switch completely and experience what those areas entail. I thought I was absolutely going with ECC early on in my career. After two years, I started picking up shifts in other departments for more income. I fell in love with surgery and never looked back. You just never know where your niche is until you explore.
• Shilo: You will gain extra knowledge in your field, boost your confidence level, and assist your practice, doctor, and clients in many ways. It’s beneficial for the entire team to have a VTS on staff. Also, you will be asked to serve on committees for your academy. Magazines and vendor companies within your industry may be interested in having you perform CE events, write articles, etc. Being published in your field is awesome. Finally, VTS are required to recertify after so many years. You need to keep on CE in your field and be active within your academy to recertify, or you can retake the test.

• Shilo: I had 14 years of experience in Dermatology when VTS certification in Dermatology became recognized. Dr. Rose Miller was a big part of helping ADVT get started and had a big role in persuading me to pursue the VTS, since I was her technician at that time. Since this was my chosen career and I wasn’t planning on leaving D4A anytime soon, it was really more of a question of why not? I was in the first group to try out for the Dermatology VTS when ADVT was first established. There were six of us in total, and two of us passed the credential process and then went on to take the test and passed!
• Brandon: I'm very grateful for the tremendous support from my manager, Roxanna, and fellow trainers. Thrive's continuing education benefits are extremely helpful too; being able to consistently keep up with my own training/education is of utmost importance, and I'm grateful to be able to do so with little worry.
• Sandra: I really enjoy training others and Thrive has a lot of opportunities for technical staff to grow and learn. At our practice we have a VTS club and there is a VTNE study group. I like to say that I enjoy infecting others with surgical nerdism.
• Sheridan: Becoming a VTS requires a lot of time and financial resources. Thankfully, Thrive has provided increased financial support to help offset some of these costs associated with specializing. I believe that we have a long way to go in truly recognizing and utilizing our veterinary technicians and veterinary technician specialists in the industry. They are an integral part of the veterinary medical team. I think Phil Jackson said it best, "The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team."