AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role

American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has announced a call for applications to serve on its board, including for a newly-created position for a credentialed veterinary technician.

“We are experiencing unprecedented changes in clinics from ownership to team composition,” expressed AAHA board president Margot Vahrenwald, DVM, in an association release.¹

“Simplifying the journey to excellence for all veterinary professionals by equipping them with guidelines and standards allows them to focus on patient welfare as a team.” Garth Jordan, CEO of AAHA, added in the release. “It is part of our culture and, frankly, our duty to attract and encourage members with diverse experiences and qualifications to share their expertise and opinions with us. That’s how we make real changes in the industry – by listening, learning, and adapting so, we can all share in the journey towards excellence.”

Currently, AAHA has 3 positions open, including 2 directors and one vice president. All applicants must be AAHA members in good standing for at least 3 years.

There are 123,000² veterinary technicians who work in approximately 28,000 clinics in the United States alone. Their responsibilities include taking case histories, administering medication, preparing animals for surgery, and offering care instructions to pet owners. Their contributions to the team is key to the health of the patients they treat. Including a credentialed veterinary technician on the board is new to AAHA and uncommon among organizations that support pet healthcare specialists.

Many pet owners are unaware that clinics that treat companion animals are not required by law to meet minimum standards of care. Instead, many clinical teams voluntarily agree to follow AAHA’s peer-reviewed guidelines of care. AAHA members also challenge themselves by seeking accreditation through a rigorous, thorough process that ensures their practices comply with standards making it easier to provide quality care consistently.

Those veterinary professionals can submit applications for the 3 open positions through March 27, 2023. For more information, visit aaha.org/bod.

References

1. AAHA seeks applicants for newly created veterinary technician board sheet. News release. American Animal Hospital Association. March 14, 2023. Accessed March 14, 2023. https://www.aaha.org/about-aaha/media-room/press-release-list/aaha-seeks-applicants-for-newly-created-veterinary-technician-board-seat
2. Veterinary technologists and technicians. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2021. Accessed March 14, 2023. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm