December 2024

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, Amy Johnson, BS, LVT, RLATG, CVJ, VETgirl’s Senior CE Manager, highlights what we need to prioritize as the planning for Prop 129, the proposition that has allowed for the creation of a veterinary professional associate (VPA) in Colorado, moves forward.

By Amy Johnson, BS, LVT, RLATG, CVJ
VETgirl Senior CE Manager

Moving Forward with Prop 129: A Veterinary Technician’s Perspective

As a credentialed technician living in Colorado (I live in Colorado but hold my license in Nebraska), I am going to try to write a non-controversial blog on Prop 129 without bringing my opinion on the actual proposition into the picture. Because let’s face it, whether you are for or against it, this proposition passed. Barring any big movements for repeal, this is moving forward. The state voted it in and has now put Colorado in the national spotlight as we figure out how to make this work.

I recently came across something written about the proposition, and its tone was basically, “Deal with it—the law passed, and fighting it is pointless now.” While that didn’t sit quite right with me, I do agree that we, as a veterinary community, need to focus on how we move forward now that the Colorado voters have spoken. Here’s where my opinion comes in: yes, we need to deal with it and move forward, BUT…

There is more to it than just dealing with it. While the Colorado State Board of Veterinary Medicine, the lawyers, Colorado State University, and any other involved parties sit down to figure out the new VPA position in our field, a spotlight must be placed on elevating the veterinary profession. This position cannot be created without reexamining the role of EVERYONE in our veterinary ecosystem, including credentialed veterinary technicians (CrVT). The opportunity to uplift veterinary technicians cannot be overlooked while working through this process. As veterinary technicians, we must make our voices heard and take advantage of this opportunity. Whether for or against the VPA position, we do have an opportunity here.

Portrait Of Male And Female Veterinary Team

We need to move forward, BUT…

We need appropriate veterinary technician utilization
We need to focus on making patient care a true team effort, and that starts with properly utilizing CrVTs and Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTSs). The challenge is that we’re introducing a new role into an already confusing environment where, in some practices, the lines between what veterinarians and veterinary technicians should be doing can still be pretty blurry. If we are going to successfully add a VPA into this environment, we need to utilize all of our medical team members properly.

Two professional veterinarians take a blood test from a Maine Coon cat at a veterinary clinic. A laboratory technician holds a test tube with tomcat's blood in his hands. Work of the veterinary lab

We need national standardization
As the VPA role begins to spread across the country (and it will), state practice acts will need to be opened and revisited. This presents a great opportunity to re-examine title protection and the scope of practice for veterinary technicians. For practices to successfully integrate VPAs, there must be a clear understanding of who can do what—veterinary technicians included. Without clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all medical team members, confusion will persist, and patient care could suffer.

Large group of people forming USA or The United States of America flag map in social media and community concept on white background. 3d sign of crowd illustration from above gathered together

We need to make the public aware of who we are and what we do
This proposition in Colorado has brought veterinary care into the public spotlight. Veterinary medicine and its team members have been in the news—and will stay there—as the public follows the progress of their vote. We need to use this opportunity to educate people about who CrVTs are, what we do, the education we receive, and what our credentials represent.

Two veterinarian technicians are going to do radiographs of the breed Cornish Rex cat during the examination in veterinary clinic. Pet health. Care animal. Pet checkup, tests and vaccination.

We need to deal with CrVT shortages
The veterinary technician shortage is a very real issue. Now, with the introduction of the VPA role, vet techs will be needed even more—both to support VPAs with patient care and to assist veterinarians with their patients. On top of that, many individuals entering VPA programs will likely be veterinary technicians leaving their current positions seeking career advancement. This means we’ll need even more vet techs in a system that’s already strained, short-staffed, and on the verge of breaking.

Staff shortage concept. Minimal vector illustration for recruiting problem. Abstract icons with absent people. Labor and personell crisis.

Regardless of how we feel about this proposition and the outcome of the vote—it happened. Now, we need to move forward. BUT we can do so in a way that keeps veterinary technicians in the spotlight and uses this moment as an opportunity to elevate our profession. As veterinary technicians, it’s crucial that we stay involved, have our voices in the conversation, and focus on the opportunities this change can bring us.

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Please note the opinions and views of this author are not directly or indirectly endorsed by VETgirl.

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