Section 8: Technician and Team Optimization

Technician and Team Optimization

Credentialed veterinary technicians are often underutilized in practice, leading to inefficiencies and poor job satisfaction. Recognizing what veterinary technicians can legally do, while also mentoring them to augment their training and education, will lead to better team utilization. Refer to the 2023 AAHA Technician Utilization Guidelines at aaha.org/technician-utilization for more information and resources.

A good patient history for an oncology patient includes gathering information regarding all current medications and supplements, the patient’s diet, and the patient’s status since the last treatment.

Credentialed Technicians’ Key Duties During Oncology Appointments

• Obtain a detailed patient history relevant to the reason for the visit and the patient’s vital signs.
• Collect most diagnostic samples required for an oncologic visit including blood, urine, and fine-needle aspirates of masses or lymph nodes.
• Assist with cytologic evaluation, manual differentials for hematology, initial screening of laboratory work, and sample preparation (e.g., cytology, histopathology, flow cytometry).
• Perform patient body mapping and obtain mass measurements.
• Double-check chemotherapy calculations, prepare and administer chemotherapeutics, and monitor patients throughout the infusion.

Consider scheduling technician appointments for laboratory visits. These visits often entail phlebotomy and vital signs check but commonly do not require direct veterinarian oversight unless concerns are noted by the veterinary technician or client.

Credentialed Technicians’ Key Duties During and After Patient Discharge

• Discharge patients and discuss routine test results, potential side effects of treatment, supportive care and medications, chemotherapy exposure risks, and follow-up plan.
• Provide a phone call follow-up after treatments or procedures at an appropriate time interval (e.g., after chemotherapy: 3–5 days, after procedure: 1–2 days).
• Play a key role in quality-of-life conversations and end-of-life discussions.
• Assist in internal recordkeeping, making external referrals, and obtaining and evaluating records in practices that accept referrals.
• Alert the attending veterinarian to evaluate the CBC immediately if cytopenias are present or the patient has a fever.

Whenever feasible, consider having technician consistency with cancer patients. This helps build a trusting relationship between the technician and client.

Technician Training

Although a credentialed veterinary technician is highly skilled and educated, specific training related to oncologic patients and care will be essential. Technicians should have access to training or pursue continuing education on chemotherapy administration, HD safety, oncology diagnostics, supportive care for the chemotherapy patient, palliative care, and disease-specific courses.

For clinics with a high oncology caseload, credentialed technicians may also pursue a specialty certification in oncology, surgery, anesthesia, and/or emergency and critical care to further enhance their knowledge base and capabilities. See https://navta.net/veterinary-technician-specialties/ for more information.

Awareness of state regulations is the responsibility of the credentialed technician and the management team, and all actions taken must fall within the scope of the technician’s license. The entire veterinary team should become familiar with the scope of practice for credentialed technicians in their state.

The 2026 AAHA Oncology Guidelines for Dogs and Cats are generously supported by CareCredit, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, and Zoetis.