Mobilizing RVTs

In March 2026, 2 of our RVTs participated in some continuing education that now enables them to take on certain annual wellness exams! This will help decrease the time between booking and the time of the appointment, freeing up our vets to address urgent concerns while still providing the best care possible.

FAQs

Why are Things Changing?

In Alberta, there is a shortage of veterinarians which is putting a great deal of pressure on the veterinarians who are currently practicing. This affects clinics, team members, and you, our valued client. We are addressing this! Our clinic is adding value to our patients and their humans, continuing to support the great work that veterinarians do every day and mobilizing our highly skilled professionals, RVTs.

On top of this provincial shortage, we have had a decrease in available working space and number of veterinarians. Until we rebuild, we are limited. With this program, our RVTs have completed a 5 day workshop with interactive sessions including; communication skills, critical thinking, behaviour, nutrition basics, and current vaccine and deworming protocols. This focused, intensive training enhanced their current knowledge and skill base and we are embracing this by adding to our provision of exceptional patient care and client service.

What is an RVT?

An RVT is a Registered Veterinary Technologist. Within our clinic, you’ll typically hear us refer to them as a tech or one of our techs. Prior to this program, they have been starting appointments, monitoring anesthesia and hospitalized patients, filling prescriptions, and so many other behind the scenes tasks.

How does this affect you and your pets?

When you bring your pet in for regular vaccination, wellness examination, and consult, you will be seeing a Registered Veterinary Technologist. You can expect to share your pets history, be asked questions about their health and wellness and be part of a comprehensive physical examination and discussion about vaccines, deworming, behaviour, and nutrition. When discussion and physical examination are complete and your questions answered, your pet will receive their appropriate vaccination and dewormer(s) based on the protocols determined by the Veterinarians in our practice and delivered by the RVT in your appointment.

In our clinic, the changes mean that the RVT who has taken your pet’s history and vitals will now be the one who is doing the physical examination and administering vaccination(s). Our veterinarian will be in the trailer, but will be dealing with other patients.

What if my pet has a health concern?

The RVTs will complete an assessment physical which includes a complete head to tail examination where the RVT is recording all of their findings. If there is a concern or abnormality noted by the RVT, they will follow appropriate protocols and will either offer solutions based on written recommendations within the practice, or book a follow up appointment with the doctor. During that follow up appointment, the doctor will review the examination record and spend their time with you focused on the noted problem and your concerns.

If you have a concern prior to the appointment, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible, so we can schedule an appropriate appointment to reduce a delay in care.

What will change with fees?

The fee for your annual and wellness exams will remain the same. You will be seeing a veterinary professional who will review your previous health records, complete an assessment, examination, answer your questions and administer the appropriate vaccinations and dewormer. If you need to follow up with a health concern noted during the wellness appointment, you will be invoiced for a follow up examination. This exam will focus entirely on the problem(s) noted by the RVT.

Are RVTs just like human nurses?

While RVTs are often compared to human nurses, their roles are different in that they learn and manage many different animal species and are skilled in areas from diagnostic testing to client education. RVTs are educated and skilled and are an integral part of the veterinary team. They are highly competent in many clinical skills, procedures, and protocols and are dedicated to patient care and client comfort. RVTs work very closely with the veterinarians that direct and supervise the medical aspects of patient care and client services, following the guidelines of our provincial legislation, the Veterinary Professions Act.

What will the veterinarians be doing now?

By having RVTs manage and care for wellness appointments (vaccinations, nutrition consultation, etc.) this frees the doctor to see patients that require surgery, a diagnosis and diagnostic work up, or require a prescription or treatment protocol. This provides high level veterinary care for your patient for all stages of their lives and as a team, we can meet the needs of your animals when they are well and when they are in need of additional care.

We continue to advocate for patient care, client service, and professional wellness within the industry of Veterinary Medicine. We are so excited to be offering a high level of care for you and for the animals you entrust with us.