Continuing Education for Veterinary Technicians

As medicine continues to advance and new technologies are introduced, it’s important for vet techs to stay up-to-date on what’s new and continue to hone their knowledge and skill set.

This article explores continuing education (CE) options for veterinary professionals and how to get the most out of a course.  

The Importance of Vet Tech Continuing Education

If you want to be competitive in the veterinary medicine industry and ensure that your knowledge is current, it’s important to pursue veterinary continuing education. Many of these courses teach new techniques, provide updates on the latest research, and teach vet techs about upcoming trends.

In addition to expanding knowledge and enhancing skills, getting CE credits may be required to meet state licensure requirements. Depending on which course you register for, you could even find yourself presented with new career opportunities.

Benefits of Vet Tech CE

Your educational accomplishments are something no one can take away, and as you pursue RACE-approved coursework for credit, you advance your career and become a more skilled technician. As your skill level rises, you’ll naturally improve patient care.

If the term RACE-approved is new to you, it’s short for Registry of Approved Continuing Education. Be on the lookout for RACE-approved courses when you search for free and paid CE credits, which is necessary to ensure your CE credits are valid.

Types of Continuing Education for Vet Techs

When it comes to earning CE credit for veterinarians and vet techs, you’ve got options, including:

• Conferences and workshops
• Online courses and webinars delivered through various websites
• In-person seminars and courses

Online Veterinary CE

In most cases, veterinary technicians must take a course on their own time, so going online to earn credit can be the best option for working professionals. Online offers the following advantages:

• Flexible scheduling
• Convenience
• Cost-effectiveness
• Access to a wide range of topics and experts

Popular platforms offering online veterinary CE include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Zoetis, Veterinary Support Personnel Network (VSPN), Veterinary Information Network (VIN), and VetFolio.

Interactive and On-Demand Learning

While there’s no best way to learn, certain methods may be preferable if you prefer a self-paced option. While many course options have live webinars, which can be great for real-time interactive feedback, there’s also an option to complete on-demand courses at your convenience.

How to Choose the Right CE Program

Before you enroll in and access any learning course, it’s important to know the criteria for selecting quality continuing education programs. We recommend looking at the following:

• Accreditation and certification (specifically RACE-approved)       
• Relevance to current practice and career goals
• Favorable reviews and recommendations from industry peers and professionals

Integrating CE Into Your Professional Life

In an already busy schedule with limited time, it can be tough to find time to dedicate to learning. The key is to find a healthy balance that allows you to have a life while still earning CE credit.

The best thing you can do is set realistic goals about what course you want to complete and when. From there, you can build a specific plan for staying on track and achieving those learning goals.  

Utilizing Employer Support

Having support from an employer can help make the learning journey easier and more affordable. At a minimum, veterinarians should encourage their vet techs to pursue CE credits and provide flexible scheduling. Further, this form of learning is actually an ROI-positive investment. According to one study, companies that invest at least $1,500 in training enjoy higher profit margins to the tune of 24%.

Conclusion

Learning is a never-ending process, and it’s something to support and celebrate. Weave provides veterinarians and their techs with tools that streamline your practice, freeing brain power for educational pursuits. To see Weave in action, schedule a demo.