The Veterinary Technician Shortage – The Current Market and How to Recruit Candidates
With the nationwide veterinary technician shortage, there are plenty of open positions and candidates eager to fill them. Wondering how your clinic can recruit and retain the best candidates? Read along for some information on the market and strategies to attract vet techs in today’s industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected 21% increase in job openings for veterinary technicians. Compared to other occupations, this is a significantly large amount, as seen in the graph below.
The increase in job openings is the result of a variety of factors– from a substantial amount of vet techs exiting the workforce to an increased need with the development of new veterinary treatments.
As your clinic looks to hire and keep the best vet techs, it’s important to consider these factors that applicants are searching for:
- Positive work environment and team culture
- Competitive salary
- Benefits (i.e. retirement, insurance, vacation days, pet health care plans, etc.)
Be sure to position your clinic in ways that demonstrate your team’s values right from the start. New hires are looking for positive, encouraging work environments that can offer them the resources and perks they need to maintain a work/life balance. By creating a happy work experience, new hires are more likely to stick around long term.
While we can’t help you find vet techs, we can help you find associate veterinarians. Give me a call, and I will explain how my team has earned a 88 percent success rate in bringing quality candidates to our clients in the first 90 days of the recruitment process. Allow us to assist your practice in recruiting the best veterinarians.