NYSAVT Relief Technician Service
The purpose of the service is to provide a database for veterinary hospitals, as well as LVTs, for part-time or full-time assistance, in the event that a hospital is in need of someone to fill a vacancy, usually on a temporary basis. It may be for a day or two, when an LVT needs a day off for sick or personal reasons, or it may be for a longer period of time
for vacation or pregnancy leave. In either case, it is an option for the hospital in order to keep the hospital working at capacity and an opportunity for the LVT to do a professional service for the hospital.
We are currently working to build a database as quickly as possible, so that we can hopefully fulfill the needs of both the veterinary profession and the LVTs in the field. There is a form that has been compiled for each, a hospital request form and an LVT data form. When either call comes in, the form is used to gather information on the needs of each, including the days or nights of need and availability. Skills desired or skills provided are recorded, along with species and specializations. We are also asking the LVT for a minimum acceptable wage for consideration, and travel
expenses would be negotiated between the hospital and the technician if the distance is extreme. So, the technician, just as a rotating or traveling RN, would not necessarily have to be committed to their own county or state. A resume can be kept on file, too.
The idea of this service is to hopefully establish a good professional report between the veterinary profession and the LVTs. We recognize that there is a shortage in the field and are offering a solution to the problem of locating assistance on short notice, in some cases, but also, possibly long-term. It could lead to something more permanent if the setting and work schedule are right for both. It also gives the hospital and technician a chance to "try each other out". Team work is everything!
Another pro to this situation is that an experienced LVT can bring new ideas into the clinic, and vice versa. The tech may, in return, go home with some added experiences and exposure to new equipment and methods of doing things. Hopefully, it's a win-win situation. In some cases, this employer-employee relationship may not be fruitful, but it's on a
temporary basis, so there's no commitment unless the two parties agree to continue. NYSAVT is not there to mediate, just to provide the service, and therefore, does not endorse a specific hospital or individual. It is up to the employer and employee to work out the details between each other.
Relief Technician Referral Form (pdf)
Hospital Request Form (pdf)
For questions, please contact:
Kathryn Seweryniak, LVT, MS
Vet Tech Program Director
Genesee Community College
W 585-343-0055 x6187
keseweryniak@genesee.edu
