YOUR VOICE DOES COUNT, SO MAKE IT HEARD: Veterinary Professional Associate
Steven May, CVJ, VRCE
Veterinary, Human Healthcare Consultant @ SLM | Certified Veterinary Journalist
Utilizing mid-tier practitioners, often referred to as Veterinary Mid-Tier Practitioners, Veterinary Professional Associate (VMPs or VPA), or Veterinary Nurse Practitioners (VNPs), under the supervision of veterinarians can bring about several benefits to the veterinary field. Drawing parallels with the use of nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates (PAs) in human healthcare, there are several similarities in the roles these professionals play. Here are some benefits of VMPs or VPAs in the veterinary profession, followed by a few hyperlinked references in favor of their inclusion.
Benefits of Veterinary Mid-Tier Practitioners (VMPs or VPA):
Increased Access to Care: VPAs can help address shortages of veterinarians in underserved areas and rural care deserts, providing greater access to veterinary care by diagnosing and treating pets and animals.
Enhanced Efficiency: VPAs can assist in various aspects of veterinary practice, from routine examinations to preventive care, diagnostics, and treatment, allowing veterinarians to focus on critical tasks.
Specialized Focus: VPAs could specialize in specific areas of veterinary medicine, such as small animals, large animals, or exotics, providing diagnosis and treatment to a broader range of species.
Support for Veterinary Teams: VPAs can work collaboratively with veterinarians and veterinary technicians to strengthen the overall healthcare team and improve patient outcomes.
Reduced Wait Times: With the help of VPAs, veterinary practices can reduce wait times for appointments, ensuring that animals receive timely diagnosis and treatment.
Career Advancement: Introducing VPA roles can provide career advancement opportunities for veterinary technicians seeking to expand their practice scope.
Similarities between VPAs, NPs, and PAs:
Advanced Education: Like NPs and PAs, VPAs will undergo advanced education and training beyond their initial qualifications as veterinary technicians.
Collaboration: All three professions collaborate with physicians or veterinarians to provide comprehensive healthcare.
Specialization: VPAs, NPs, and PAs can specialize in various areas, allowing them to provide specialized care within their respective fields.
Preventive Care: All are essential in preventive care, health promotion, and patient education.
? Expanding Access: Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners –
Professional Role: NPs practice includes, but is not limited to, assessment; ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting diagnostic and laboratory tests; making diagnoses; initiating and managing treatment, including prescribing medication and non-pharmacologic treatments; coordinating care; counseling; and educating patients and their families and communities. Cited:
? Expanding Access: Scope of Practice for Physician Associates –
Professional Role: Physician assistants, also referred to as physician associates, are nationally certified and state-licensed medical professionals and practice on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers. Generally, PAs can take medical histories, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illness, order and interpret tests, develop treatment plans, prescribe medication, counsel on preventative care, assist in surgery, and perform procedures. Cited: https://scopeofpracticepolicy.org/practitioners/physician-assistants/#:~:text=Generally%2C%20PAs%20can%20take%20medical,in%20surgery%20and%20perform%20procedures
? Expanding Access: Scope of Practice for Veterinary Professional Associates –
Professional Role: VPAs are trained to take on specific responsibilities, such as developing the Client Patient Veterinary Relationship (CPVR), which includes telemedicine, conducting patient examinations, diagnosing disease, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, preventative care, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, coordinate referrals for advanced animal healthcare, minor and elective surgical procedures, providing certificates of inspection, attestation thus ensuring that animals receive the best possible care. VPAs also collaborate on zoonotic health issues with population healthcare providers. The veterinarian who is licensed and in good standing may delegate appropriate responsibilities within the collaborative or supervised agreement. VPAs must adhere to national and state regulations to maintain their status as professional animal healthcare providers.
Complementary Roles: VPAs, NPs, and PAs complement the skills of physicians or veterinarians, allowing for a more efficient and comprehensive healthcare delivery system.
Several States are considering legislation supporting the VPA. Check with state legislative sources for the most up-to-date information on the States considering VPAs.
Here are samples of hyperlinked references in favor of veterinary mid-tier practitioners (VMPs or VPA):
????????Mandy K. Fults,?Kenichiro Yagi,?Joanne Kramer,?Melissa Maras
*Regarding reference number 4
Challenges and Issues - Development of Advanced Veterinary Nursing Degrees: Rising Interest Levels for Careers as Advanced Practice Registered Veterinary Nurses is the abstract and survey parameters and findings in its entirety. The abstract was published in Volume 48 Issue 3 June 2021, pp.242-25, Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, website AAVMC - https://jvme.utpjournals.press/doi/10.3138/jvme.2019-0041
EXCERPT(1): The intent of the survey was to gain an understanding of the profession’s interest levels on educational advancement and career growth in veterinary nursing. Specifically, the research survey was geared toward learning more about what kinds of opportunities current and future veterinary nursing professionals in the field are interested in pursuing to support their own career growth. This survey is the first of its kind to provide insight into the interest levels of the veterinary nursing professionals and paraprofessionals, pertaining to educational and career advancement opportunities. This was a valuable tool to emphasize their desire and willingness to succeed in this profession. The interest is favorable; therefore encouragement for formal discussions on the development of a veterinary nurse graduate program and formation of a committee to evaluate the effectiveness and role of the APRVN is an ideal starting point. The limitation of this survey is that DVM’s were not included in the analysis. This survey was specifically designed to determine the interest of the veterinary nursing profession only, because if the results were unfavorable then any effort for pursuing this graduate program would not be beneficial. With the known interest, determined via this survey, gaining support by universities and professional organizations through educating on the scope of practice and overall standards of the APRVN role will help alleviate tensions and adversity to allow for incremental gains of support.
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Survey Results
EXCERPT(2): Out of the total number of respondents, 706 were currently working within the veterinary field. There were 549 credentialed technicians (i.e., CVT, LVT, RVT). One hundred twenty-eight were non-credentialed assistants, 26 were veterinary assistants (AVA, CVA), and 3 were DVMs (DVMs were excluded from the overall survey analysis). Fifty-nine VTSs were included within the credentialed technicians, including one that left the veterinary field. The distribution of the highest educational level obtained included 13.33% having a high school diploma/GED, 49.93% an associate’s degree, 31.56% a bachelor’s degree, 4.49% a graduate degree, and 0.68% a doctoral degree. Out of the total respondents, 44.48% were from those working primarily in small animal general practice, 14.59% in specialty practice, and 13.17% in emergency practice. At least one representative of every US state, except Vermont, was included in the survey. California had the majority, representing 12.62% of total respondents, Texas had 6.87%, Pennsylvania 5.75%, and Florida 4.77%. Overall, with the population of veterinary team members approximating 100,000 (data provided by the bureau of labor statistics 2016 summary), the number of respondents obtained provided a statistically sound analysis with a 95% confidence interval, allowing for a 4% margin of error.
YOUR VOICE DOES COUNT, SO MAKE IT HEARD.
What Can I Personally Do?
As an individual, you can help by reaching out to colleagues and alumni in your veterinary community and advocating for a mid-tier practitioner.
VETERINARIANS:
Contact your AVMA State Delegate Representative at https://www.avma.org/about/house-delegates and the AVMA Board of Directors at https://www.avma.org/about/board-directors-and-avma-officers and share your thoughts, opinions, and recommendation for the Veterinary Professional Associate.
VETERINARY TECHNICIANS:
Reach out to colleagues and alumni in your veterinary community and advocate for a mid-tier practitioner. Contact NATVA at https://navta.net/ and other Veterinary Technician associations, Veterinary Technology training schools - https://www.vettechcolleges.com/schools, or groups in your state -=https://galaxyvets.com/learning-center/complete-guide-to-us-vet-tech-associations/ and share your thoughts, opinions, and recommendations for the Veterinary Professional Associate.
ANIMAL/PET ADVOCATES, SHELTERS, AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS:
Contact your Congressperson, State Senators, Governor, and Lieutenant Governor.
For information, visit:
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