Divide & conquer – mastering the art of delegation

The North American veterinary shortage is of significant con­cern for industry professionals and animal owners alike. The overwhelming scarcity of food animal veterinarians chal­lenges bovine practitioners to consider actions they can take to increase their client capacity and service area, while ensur­ing there are minimal impacts on animal welfare as a result of potentially longer appointment wait times. Various studies support that the delegation of permitted tasks to credentialed veterinary technicians (CVTs) can increase practice efficiency and revenue, while simultaneously positively influencing CVT career satisfaction and subsequent retention rate. Veterinar­ians can further support the implementation of CVT utilization by opening up the lines of communication within the team, working directly with the CVT to ensure they are competent and confident at the tasks at hand, and by educating clients on the added value CVTs bring to the veterinary industry.