Kendra the Vet Tech

Join me as I chat with Shana, CVT, VTS-EVN about what her day to day looks like working as a large animal technician in a university teaching hospital setting. Even though she is primarily a surgical and equine lameness technician, she wears many hats in her current position. From on call emergencies to assisting with polar bear surgery! Tune in to get the skinny on what this great career path looks like!

In order to know where you are going, you have to know where you have been. How has our profession changed over the last 4 decades? 

Join me as I chat with Sharon, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia, EVN) about how far the veterinary technician has come. Starting in 1977 and growing into a technician of over 40 years, Sharon has seen and been a part of major changes. From a 6 week crash course to run anesthesia and emergency in a small animal hospital, to being a part of founding the EVN designation and so much more in between. Listen in to hear all the positive changes that have happened in this technician's career and how bright our future looks!

Keeping close tabs on our mental health is an integral part of being a successful veterinary professional. Kendra, LVT, is joined by Dr. Colleen Maguire Jackson, a psychologist that works solely with veterinary professionals. In this episode we explore mental health issues that are unique to veterinary professionals. But, what if we are noticing changes in ourselves or others? Dr. Jackson gives us clear red flags to watch out for that may indicate that help is needed. How do we go about getting help if we need it? How do we approach a friend or co-worker if we think they may need some help? What can we be doing to take care of ourselves on a regular basis? Let's help break the stigma that talking about mental health is bad. Arm yourself with some knowledge!

Kendra the Vet Tech (LVT) chats with Sue, LVT, VTS-EVN for an episode featuring some cutting edge (new frontier) career opportunities for credentialed veterinary technicians. Sue tells us about her round-about journey of coming into her veterinary technician career and the winding path that led her to where she is today as the equine teaching herd manager at the University of Minnesota. A real story about not being afraid of change and saying "Yes!" to new opportunities. She is the first veterinary technician to hold her current position. Not only is she in charge of the health and well-being of the herd, she is shaping the veterinarians of tomorrow through hands-on instruction. She and some of her veterinary technician colleagues are now being more heavily utilized in formal veterinary student instruction. Join in to hear more about this first hand account of exciting changes in career possibilities for veterinary technicians!

Who provides medical care for the pets that have no one? Kendra the Vet Tech (LVT) is joined by Angie, LVT, for this episode chatting about being a credentialed veterinary technician in shelter medicine. Learn what you can expect on the daily and how shelter settings can vary greatly in terms of size, equipment and care offered. What type of pay can you expect as a shelter technician? How heavily are your skills utilized? What is the staffing like in this type of work environment? Want to know if shelter medicine is for you? Join in and see!

Kendra the Vet Tech (LVT) chats with Erica, LVT, about being a credentialed veterinary technician in sales. What if you aren't feeling fulfilled in traditional practice? If you like the products that you are using in your hospital, how about spreading the good word about them with other veterinary professionals? There are so many other options for careers, with lots of mini-pathways in sales! We learn about how your schedule works (you can sometimes set it yourself!), how much travelling is involved, how much education about the products you need, and so much more! 

What is veterinary telehealth? What are the requirements for working for a telehealth company? What does the daily work load look like? Join me as I chat with Camilynne, LVT, about working as a telehealth veterinary technician. Working as a telehealth technician can be so rewarding from a client communication and education standpoint. As well as, being able to still use acquired skills to effectively triage a pet via phone and provide decision support for the client. 

Being a credentialed veterinary technician is not a consolation prize, but a vital position within a veterinary healthcare team. Join me as I chat with Garnetta, LVT, about feeling empowered in your position as a credentialed veterinary technician. We chat about so many topics from scope of practice to tips on how to feel empowered in your current position!

Kendra, LVT, chats with Paige, RVT about the 4 year option at Purdue University. Join in on the 4th, and final, installment of the credentialed veterinary technician schooling options episodes. How does the application process look? How does a normally 2 year program fit onto a 4 year time line to obtain a bachelor's degree? What are the benefits of adding the extra semesters to gain the bachelor's degree? Answers to these questions and so much more! 

Kendra, LVT, chats with Tricia, CVT of the St. Petersburg College Program. In this episode we are learning how an online program structure breaks down. How do you apply for the program? What type of weekly time commitment is needed? How to do you make sure to get your clinical skills completed? And, so much more! Don't miss out on episode 3 of the 4 part series about schooling options for your veterinary technology degree!