I disagree with this action.  As an LVT we are constantly learning everyday in practice along side our veterinarians.  As an LVT I was trained to ask questions, learn new things and work with our doctors.  6 hours of CE for an LVT can cover a broad range of topics and lessons. We are not doctors and I don't believe we should be expected to do and learn what they do.  I do feel that over the years LVT's have been expected to learn more and more things that shouldn't pertain to them because it is over stepping our boundaries as an LVT and what we are allowed to do.  6 hours of CE per year is plenty enough hours for an LVT to update or refresh their knowledge on top of what they are learning on their own throughout the rest of the year in day to day practice.  

Disagree

As LVT's, we should be eager and willing to expand our knowledge.  Six hours is not alot, I always thought it was too few..  Eight seems more appropriate.  There are so many free webinars and CE available these days, so it should be easy to obtain.  If eight is too many, then don't persue a specialty.  Numerous lecture and wet lab hours needed to become a VTS (but well worth it)!!

Veterinary medicine is constantly evolving and we should be willing, as medical professionals, to continue expanding our knowledge so that we can ensure our patients receive the most up to date and top quality medicine. An additional 2 hours is not hard to obtain through the many resources provided to our state's technicians. We should strive to obtain higher standards so that our clients understand how vital technicians are in the field-- one step closer to acknowledgement, appreciation for our hard work and dedication, and higher pay. 

Agreeing with other L.V.T. on here that six hours should be enough. Sometimes it is difficult to find time to even do that when you work in a big practice that stays busy and is expanding. It used to not be an issue with me, however, this are changing and the demand is increasing. I work with older veterinarians, middle aged veterinarians, and new veterinarian, as well as two other tech, one older and one I trained. With a diverse sense of knowledge in the clinic, and everyone so willing to help other learn new things, I don't feel an increase is needed. Also, the reps. That come by and the lunch and learns we have quite freq. help keep us up to date on medications, products, and food trials. I feel education is spread well amongst large clinics.

I welcome the change. However, the only setback I have is "who's going to pay for this?" Unlike most fields, this is a field that is highly underpaid. I don't mind going to the occassional free course, but let's be realistic, are most of them beneficial? You can only go to the Vaccine Protocol course so many times. Veterinarians and technicians gain knowledge in wet labs and/or those big veterinary conferences. VSPN costs money as well. Who are they more likely to send to those big conferences? I know the practice I work for only covers up to $200 of my cost for any CE. That's maybe 3 CE. What if you been in the field more than 10 years and all those free ones you've taken already? If you want to up the CE, this must be taken into consideration.  I don't mind expanding my horizons and learning, but I agree with others, adding the CE as a mandatory thing can be difficult for some who are more senior and don't have the time to step away. When I do, there's tons of work waiting for me when I get back. Who's willing to do this on their free time? I have a life outside veterinary medicine.

I see no problem with a 2 hour annual increase. There are lots of opportunities, at least in Virginia, for techs to attend free classes; this is something that occupies 1 day. I attended one series on a Sunday that gave 5 credit hours. Pet poison helpline has several free classes during the year that you log into and listen too. I did not pay a penny, except for a 1 1/2 hour drive gas cost, on any of my CE this year. Confining yourself to learning from the vets at one practice, etc. I think limits a LVT. And, everyone should have the chance to attend a large conference periodically. I've been practicing since 1990 and I remember when there were no requirements; it was a battle to get any CE. Requiring CE was a great thing because it allowed us to expand from what we knew to a broader experience. And as far as learning what vets do--you should have a thorough working knowledge of the medicine you are practicing. You should never stop learning and experience combined with education is a powerful tool on that road.

I disagree with the increasing of Vet Tech CE hours. It can be very expensive to obtain these hours if your practice does not pay for the CE meetings. It requires time off work and the cost of the meetings themselves. The free CE offers are wonderful but there is usually no hands on training with these and the topics are limited to small animal. Finding large, exotics, zoo, or lab animal CE can be challenging.

An increase from 6 to 8 CE hours/year is reasonable.  To minimize potential financial burden on LVTs, stipulate a percentage (ie 25%) that may be done online, as this does not require travel, lodging, and are often times free or a nomial fee.

~Danielle Russ

I am in full support of increasing the CE requirements from 6 to 8!  I feel that in our profession, we should want to stay on top of and learn new ideas, trends, and treatments in veterinary medicine.  Virginia currently requires fewer hours than most other states and we should remain competitive with other LVT/RVTs in the US.  Two additional hours should not be hard to aquire due the number of CE meetings from regional VMAs and  the VALVT regions, online CE and other sources such as specialty hospitals.  

I think it will be very benefical to increase the CE hours from 6 to 8 hours. Obtaining more education will not only be beneficial to the technician but also to the staff,clients, and public! 

I think increasing CE hours from 6 to 8 hours would add to the learning experience..  There is no harm in a little extra time for furthering your education. If adding 2 more hours means more time for learning new information or refreshing on information one already knows then why not! It can't hurt, it can only help! There is always room for improvement and by not increasing the hours you wouldn't be supporting that kind of positive attitude one should always have!

I agree with this change. Two additional hours won't break the bank and CE is available for technicians nearly everywhere.

I fully support increasing CE requirements 8 per year.  I am licensed in both Virginia and Maryland (Maryland already requires 24 every 3 years); Virginia currently requires fewer hours than most other states. I feel that in order for Virginia LVTs to remain up to date on topics, appear credible to the public, and remain competitive with other LVT/RVTs in the US, we should have to have 8 hours per year.  An additional 2 hours of CE isn't that difficult to obtain. I would like to see technician/management courses counted towards CE in Virginia, since many techs later move into a managerial position within a hospital.

I agree that an inrease in CE hours is warranted. It's important for us to keep up with new information and education. An extra 2 hours isn't that difficult to get with the variety of CE available online and in lectures. A big confernce will get you more than enough. I think CE is one of the most important parts of maintining our licenses, we're in an envolving field!

I am in favor to increasing hours. Veterinary Medicine is constantly changing and improving. I think it is important to stay progressive. Our patients deserve the best and how can that happen if we do not evolve with the medicine?

It is not our total CE hours that makes us professionals, and I feel 6 hrs is enough.  This becomes too much for those who may be temporarily not working the field but would like to maintain their license and return to the field later.  I think this may be why we lose so many LVTs ... let's face it most of us are women and if we take a break to raise children ... oops! one busy year not working the field therefore making getting CE more difficult and bam our license has lapsed ...why make it more difficult.

I support the proposed change in required CE hours for LVT's in VA.  8 hours of CE per year is easily obtained via National, State, or Regional Meetings.  If you are not able to attend one of those venues.  There are online webinars, journals, and multuiple online options at no charge for veterinary professionals, causing no additional financial hardship.  

As someone who has multiple licenses in various medical fields, I am opposed to the increase. I feel that the responsible practicing Veterinary Technicians will go beyond what is just required. For those with limited time in practice or not practicing, the minimum keeps them in tune without overwhelming them with the financial and time burden to complete the requirement. Thanks

ok maybe, maybe not, i think the question is with the quality of CE that is done that counts more than how many hours. for instance, idexx has really fun CE opportunities but there are few new ones and so many are redundant.

I am in support of increasing CE hours for LVTs in the state of Virginia.

I fully support the increase of CE from 6 to 8 hours.  

I think all education and ce is beneficial and an increase of 2 hours will only improve the care we give to patients.

I completely agree with the proposal to require increased CE hours for LVT's in the State of Virginia.  I feel that every CE is a great learning experience and we can bring that information back into our practice.  Requiring more CE gives LVT's the opportunity to learn more and perhaps become more experienced in an area they are lacking. 

A certified technician derserves just as much continuing education as anyone else. Our education is valuble.

Saying there is not enough time is ridiculous. Everyone has 8 hours of their life to spare. For clinics that will not pay for their technician's CE, you don't respect the field. Time to get with the program and realize you need your technicians.

Keeping up on changes in healthcare for our pets is a professional responsibility that I welcome! 

I am in full support of increasing CE hours for LVTs. 

Sadly I disagree with this proposal. While I do acknowledge that there are ever increasing advancements in veterinary medicine, I think the current requirement is sufficient for LVTs. Where I see the need for improvement is in the quality and type of CE for Techs. Often times the CE is just a cut down version of what DVMs get, and actually serves very little practical purpose to a tech. We need to stop being considered as second class citizens and treated as the professionals we are supposed to be. We need clear divisions between what we are allowed to do and what assistants or non licensed personnel are allowed to do. 

I am in favor :) 

I am in favor.

I fully support an increase in annual CE hours and feel that any one who is sincere about supporting and building our profession should do the same.

I fully support the increase in continuing education for LVTs.

I am in agreement  with supporting the dedication and education it takes to perform the duties of a LVT and keep up with the growth of medical practice.  Please increase the minimum number of required CE hours by a licensed veterinary technician in the state of Virginia.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Colohan, LVT

Wholeheartedly agree that Virginia LVT required CE hours should be increased!!

I am in favor of raising the required CE credits, Perry E. Ritchie, LVT

I disagree with increasing the current required CE credit hours.

I am in favor of increasing CE hours for LVT's!

I absolutely support the change to 8 hours.   There are many opportunities to obtain the new level of CE, some of which do take an investment on our part.  That investment could be our time, our money, or both.  I don't feel that it is unreasonable to invest in our own continued education in order to be the best we can be.  Many other respected professions have to do the same thing.  

I whole heartedly agree with increasing the amount of CE credits required per year. I have always felt that six credits is not enough. As technicians we should always be striving to do better, to learn more, and to broaden our horizens. There's so much new information to be learned that limiting ourselves to six hours is severely selling ourselves short. We may not be doctors, but we are vital to the growth and stability of our practice. I agree with this increase!

I support increasing LVT required CE from 6 to 8 hours annually!

I support increasing CE hours from 6 to 8