Why Is Continuing Education Important?

Veterinarians keep up with the changing trends, techniques, and research to offer the best care. Continuing education enables them to gain essential skills.

Continuing education is an essential program for clinic personnel. It enables them to keep up with innovative techniques. Veterinary professionals that pursue this course can educate their clients better.

Continuing education trains veterinary personnel on animal behavior, disease management, and veterinary clinic cleanliness and safety. They will also discover more on technologies to help them offer the best care. The program also offers client service sessions. This specialty enables front desk personnel and technicians to improve their communication skills.

Approved Continuing Education Programs

Confirm that a CE program offers CE credits that can help you renew your state license. You can check with the Veterinary Medical Licensing Board or State Board of Veterinary Medicine to find out the needed hours and the approved courses or providers.

Many states require technicians to get some credits by attending certified CE seminars. You can get a percentage of these credits through approved videos, online courses, and journals. Participants may need a test before the renewal.

Technicians pursuing specialized courses must get accreditation in the specialized area to meet the licensing requirements.

Types of Continuing Education

Determine your objectives for pursuing CE to choose the right course for you. Are you interested in getting just the skills? Do you need CE credits to renew your license? Once you answer these questions, decide which CE opportunity suits your needs.

• In-clinic lunch-and-learn sessions: Major corporations sponsor these meetings. They are an economical way to get CE, and the organizers often provide lunch. These sessions can be educational, but they cannot provide you with the credits you need for licensing renewals.
• Peer-reviewed journals: Professional journals are a convenient and economical way to get CE credit. Veterinary professionals can read peer-reviewed CE articles and take quizzes at the end. You will mail or fax the answers to the publication. Some organizations allow readers to take the quizzes online. Check with your state’s regulations, as some states limit the credits you can get from journal articles.
• Local seminars: Local veterinary associations, businesses, or industry partners conduct these programs. They cover various topics, such as client services, time management, and payroll processing. Local seminars may include clinical presentations, as regional veterinary associations organize most of them. Some local veterinary schools, community colleges, and educational firms also offer CE seminars with hands-on learning opportunities.
• State veterinary technical associations: These organizations offer excellent CE opportunities. They hold annual conferences that provide CE credits to veterinary assistants and technicians. These meetings often cover clinical topics, and they can tailor them to suit their members’ needs.
• National conferences: These seminars are more expensive than local meetings, but attendees can gain priceless knowledge. They provide general training for new assistants and technicians. You may also get specialized training if you want expertise to take you to the next level. One or two employees can represent your clinic at these conferences. Encourage them to share their lessons to enable the entire establishment to gain from the seminar.
• Online CE courses: You can get CE opportunities on online platforms. These courses can cover simple topics, such as client services and payroll processing. They may also include specialized programs, such as clinical topics. Some states regulate the credits you can get from these programs. Check the relevant regulations before you start the course to ensure you will get the credits you need for licensing.

Where Can You Get Online Continuing Education and Training for Veterinarians?

You can get your CE credits and training from various online platforms. Here are some useful resources to help you.

1. National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has a list of online resources to help you.
2. Search for a program on a search engine, such as Google.
3. Get referrals from colleagues on veterinary communities and platforms.

Continuing education is essential for veterinary professionals. It can be a refresher program for skills, provide insights into trends, and rejuvenate your enthusiasm for veterinary services. You may also get the credits you need for licensing. Take advantage of CE programs to improve your skills and take your profession to the next level.