Compassion-First launches program for noncredentialed vet techs, assistants

Compassion-First Pet Hospitals has launched an educational development program for its noncredentialed veterinary technicians and assistants—the Compassion-First Technician and Assistant Development Program. The program involves a partnership with two American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited veterinary technician programs, Penn Foster College and Cedar Valley College, to provide educational options and tuition assistance for career growth.

The new partnership provides noncredentialed veterinary technicians the opportunity to earn their AS degree in veterinary technology and become eligible to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become credentialed in their state. The program also includes a veterinary assistant certificate program approved by the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, in which employees become eligible to take the national exam and earn credentials as an approved veterinary assistant.

“We are extremely pleased to offer a ground-breaking employer supported development program for our veterinary nursing teams that allows them to make a choice for their educational program and career path,” said Janet McConnell, CVT, director of veterinary nursing development for Compassion-First Pet Hospitals. “Both Penn Foster and Cedar Valley College are outstanding programs that have completely different formats, allowing students to choose what fits them best from a financial, lifestyle, and program standpoint.”

The Compassion-First hospital at which the prospective student is employed will provide externship training relative to the skills required and within the services the hospital provides, as well as tuition assistance relative to the program selected. This can range from 90 percent tuition assistance for Penn Foster students to generous semester discounts for Cedar Valley students working at a Compassion-First hospital waiving the distance fees.

“Our goal is to further elevate our veterinary technician teams and enhance the care they can provide for the pets in our care,” said John Payne, CEO of Compassion-First Pet Hospitals. “We are elated that both Penn Foster and Cedar Valley College are partners with us in our mission to accomplish this for our Veterinary Technicians.”