Oops! We Need to Fix the Veterinary Shortage with Amy Newfield, MS, CVT, VTS (ECC), Owner of Veterinary Team Training

"We've got to use veterinary technicians. And here's what happens – I feel so good getting to help a pet owner and increase that pet owner-animal bond, and my veterinarian can go do doctor things! If you utilize your technicians more, you get to be a doctor more." This episode is sponsored in part by Meow Cat Lounge, Doobert.com, and Maddie's Fund. In today's show, Stacy chats with Amy Newfiled, Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency & Critical Care, author, and owner of the educational platform Veterinary Team Training. In this episode, Stacy and Amy talk about the field of veterinary medicine, and how the role of veterinary technicians in particular has grown and evolved since the 1990s. They talk about the key differences between veterinary technicians, specialists, and assistants, and what the general public should keep in mind when taking their animals to their veterinary care provider. They also discuss the many challenges veterinarians and practices are facing today, including the worst staffing shortages – from veterinarians to veterinary technicians, to front desk support – that Amy has seen in her career. They also talk about the capabilities of veterinary technicians, and the opportunities available to veterinarians who fully utilize their teams. Amy talks about her books in the Oops Management Series, Oops, I Became a Manager, and Oops, My Team is Toxic, aimed at helping managers and leaders in the veterinary profession build stronger leaders and create and maintain positive work cultures. The Oops Management Series currently includes three books, available to purchase on Amazon. Amy also tells us about Vet Team Training, and her work to help develop teams through practical and real-world techniques. The website offers free information and videos for anyone with a passion for animals, as well as RACE-accredited courses for veterinary technicians looking to continue their education. More information about Vet Team Training is available at www.vetteamtraining.com. More information about the CE courses offered by Vet Team Training is available here.