Just one thing: Cross-train your team for versatility, cohesion

Every member of our veterinary teams has unique and valuable skills that contribute to the success of our practices. We can maximize their impact, build confidence, and boost satisfaction among team members by having them cross-train one another to spread the knowledge.

Implementing cross-training sessions-where team members teach each other new skills or tasks-can increase your team's versatility and improve workflow. Plus, preliminary insights from AVMA-funded research into veterinary technician utilization show that being empowered to use the skills for which they're qualified increases both job satisfaction and retention.

One important caveat: It's crucial to ensure that skills shared in cross-training adhere to regulatory requirements and respect the scope of responsibilities that each team member can perform.

Here's a quick way to start

A good way to start the cross-training process is by surveying team members on both their skillsets and their areas of interest. This will help you identify safe and appropriate skills for cross-training, helping team members build confidence and versatility without overstepping professional boundaries.

Kick off the process by having team members answer these questions:

1. Which skills or tasks are you comfortable and qualified to teach to others on the team?
2. What skills would you like to learn from another team member?
3. Are there any specific skills you think would help the practice function better if more of our team knew them?

You can do this through an online survey, email or text, or on paper. Whatever your method, it will take only a couple minutes of each person's time.

From the survey responses, team members can then be paired up for short cross-training sessions. In addition to building self-assurance and competence, these sessions can also foster stronger relationships within the team, building trust and improving communication. Early results from the ongoing veterinary technician utilization study show that this enhances a practice's overall performance and productivity.

A possible next step

For practices interested in optimizing team members' roles, consider participating in the next phase of the veterinary technician research study. This research, conducted by Cornell University experts, aims to better understand how veterinary technicians are engaged in practice and where there may be additional opportunities to apply their skills more fully.

Researchers are recruiting participants through December 1, 2024, for the next phase of the study.

• Get details of what participation entails.
• Sign up for the study.
  

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