Figure 7.1

Assessing the current CrVT utilization within a practice can open a conversation with the entire veterinary team about how they can collectively improve or celebrate the ideal leveraging of these valuable CrVT team members. The key to this discussion is the skillful use of open-ended questions specific to CrVT utilization. These essential conversations mark the first step in the journey toward improved teamwork. After gathering the answers to these open-ended questions, it is easier to identify barriers and methods of accelerating utilization.

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For Veterinarians:

• What aspects of the Veterinary Team Member Utilization Assessment Tool worry you? Why?
• What aspects of the Veterinary Team Member Utilization Assessment Tool surprise you as tasks for CrVTs to perform?
• What areas (skills/tasks) of your practice not listed on the Veterinary Team Member Assessment Tool do you feel CrVTs should perform that they are not currently?
• Of the skills/tasks in the Veterinary Team Member Utilization Assessment Tool, which ones feel easy for you to delegate? Which ones feel complex or challenging, and why?
• How can we start addressing tasks that veterinarians feel nervous about delegating?

For CrVTs:

• As a CrVT, what skills/tasks would you like to learn?
• What areas (skills/tasks) of your practice not listed on the Veterinary Team Member Utilization Assessment Tool do you feel CrVTs should perform that they are not currently?
• How can we start addressing tasks the CrVT team feels nervous about taking on?
• What areas (skills/tasks) listed on the Veterinary Team Member Utilization Assessment Tool for veterinarians do you feel CrVTs should handle? Why?
• Of the skills/tasks in the Veterinary Team Member Utilization Assessment Tool, which ones feel easy for you to delegate to a VA or CSR? Which ones feel complex, and why?

For the entire hospital team:

• What are the differences between a veterinarian, CrVT, VA, and CSR?
• How do you explain what a CrVT is to a pet owner?
• How familiar are you with your state’s practice act about what a CrVT and a VA can/cannot do?
• What tasks—if any—would you not be comfortable having a CrVT perform on your own pet and why? What would alleviate and/or address this concern for you?