I hope my current state of mind is that I just might leave the industry and not do anything more drastic.  We all talk about how important mental health and how real suicide is in this industry.  But if someone asks for help, the response is met with we are being disrespectful and made to feel guilty for underappreciating our most valued colleagues (our technicians).  The already high stress job of being a veterinarian has only escalated since the pandemic, with no end at sight.  There is no solution being offered, only that we just have to wait until one day there is no longer a shortage in technicians, but no idea when (or if) that will ever happen.  

I DO think this needs to happen.  I dont understand why everybody keeps pretending like there isnt a pandemic happening and the case load of vet medicine these days has increased exponentially.  

With all due respect, the narrative created by most of the people posting here is not correct.  The intention is finding a way for us as a community to stay afloat during these trying times.  This is not to devalue anyone's skill level or education.  

The comments regarding safety- at this time, its within the legal right of practice to allow an assistant to perform venipuncture, I assume assistants that are doing this are qualified assistants. There isnt a huge spike of venipuncture complication, so why would there be a huge spike in catheter related complication.  Understand the difference, but a competent person able to consistently perform venipuncture should at least be given the opportunity to place catheters (with proper education).  Its no uncommon for the assistant in some instance be able to get blood when the technican is unable to.  Everybody has bad days and it doesnt make sense that we are not allowed to have another avenue.  Sure the vets can do this as well, but venipuncture and catheter placement is not a skill that is highly taught in vet school, so in terms of training for these skills- it really is on the job for at least vets.  

In terms of devaluing a techs skill set/education.  Just for the sake of argument, how is it fair for a vet not be able to do their job that he or she has went to school for (anywhere from 4 to 10 years post-graduate studies).  With patients, the vet's job should be assessing the patient and formulating a treatment plan, communicating with the owner, promptly completely their medical records; not placing a catheter, obtaining pain medications or running anesthesia.  

Im a frankly getting tired of consistently placing catheters, formulating an anesthetic plan, inducing anesthesia and then performing the procedure.  Its not fair for us to do the work of 2-3 people consistently on a daily basis. I would love to hire more LVTs, we have ads placed for months and months and offer every incentive possible but there simply is a shortage.  How is overworking vets, not able to provide care in a timely manner acceptable?  How is that in the best interest of our patients.  

This is not a change in the ruling system to make us go backwards, instead its getting us to a more sustainable situation and practicing in a way that is set as "industry standard" for the rest of the country.  Are we really saying that VA is better than the rest of the country by imposing stricter unrealistic rules, that cannot be met by the current personally set to perform the procedures.  If the supply of technicians doesn't met the demand of the overall veterinary needs of the community, something has to change before the industry crumbles.  Owners are getting tired of waiting 4-6 hours in the emergency room, they are getting tired of not being able to see their vet or a specialist for weeks and the overall confidence the public has of vet medicine is declining.  

I dont think there will be any point of debate if there are enough LVTs, but we do not, and there is no predictable way of telling when the huge shortage will resolve.  Maybe the shortage doesnt affect certain individuals, as staffing needs are met at your current practice, however this not the case in many hospitals throughout the state and they are suffering on a daily basis.