Is There a Staffing Shortage in Veterinary Practices?
The need for healthcare workers has never been more critical—for both humans and pets. With a global pandemic taxing healthcare facilities around the world, it’s easy enough to understand the problem for humans, but there’s also a personnel shortage at veterinary practices. It’s a problem that started to take shape over the past year or two, but the pandemic has made it worse. Here’s why veterinary practices are now understaffed:
COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Veterinary Practices
Do you know anyone who adopted a pet during the pandemic? You’re not alone! There has been a surge in pet purchases and adoptions. Some people were looking for companionship in the midst of all the quarantines and self-isolation. Others, who were working from home, finally felt they had time to spend with a pet. Still others were just ready to add a new member to the family since so many members were home. Whatever the reason, as the number of four-legged family members increases, so does the need for vet care. And the busier the veterinarian is, the more they need able assistants and staff to help them provide services.
Retiring Workforce Means Fewer Veterinary Professionals
Another reason there’s such a need for staffing for vet practices is that there is a need for veterinarians. Although there’s a high demand for the profession, fewer people are entering it. And within the next 15 years, a large number of veterinary staff are expected to retire, which will increase demand for people in the profession. With more demands on their time, veterinarians need more help from assistants and other staff.
Passion for Pets Increases Demand for Veterinary Professionals
Americans spent nearly $100 billion on their pets in 2019. Those passionate pet owners also want to keep their pets healthy with regular checkups and care when things go wrong. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all that consumer spending will drive up employment demand for people in the veterinary services industry like Veterinary Assistants.
Become a Veterinary Assistant
Are you passionate about pets? If you’ve always dreamed of a job working with animals, becoming a Veterinary Assistant could make that dream come true. As a Vet Assistant, you would feed and exercise pets, restrain them during an exam or procedure, clean and sterilize their kennel and medical equipment, administer medications, and bathe them if necessary. You’d also be an important helper to the Vet and the pet owners coming into your practice.
At Charter College, we offer a Certificate in Veterinary Assistant that can prepare you for a career as a Veterinary Assistant in as few as 10 months. Our program includes a 180-hour externship and the Fear Free Training. This unique program teaches you how to put animals at ease when they are in your care. The training consists of eight units and certification exams. Upon successful completion of all eight units, you will be awarded a three-year Fear Free certification and a one-year membership. Ready to get started? Fill out the form now.