A workforce-informed competency framework defines 94 core abilities of credentialed veterinary technicians.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To develop a workforce-informed competency framework defining the broad, essential abilities of credentialed veterinary technicians across practice settings. METHODS: This mixed-methods, consensus-development study used purposive sampling through online communications to recruit credentialed veterinary technicians, veterinarians, educators, and clinical staff with knowledge of the credentialed veterinary technician role and engagement in clinical or educational settings. The study progressed through 3 phases over 8 months (June 2021 to February 2022): Phase 1 employed a modified Delphi focus-group method with iterative rounds to generate draft competencies, Phase 2 refined and validated the competencies through a national workforce survey of veterinary professionals, and Phase 3 evaluated educational alignment through curriculum mapping with 2 accredited veterinary technician programs. RESULTS: Participants included 6 focus-group members (3 credentialed veterinary technicians, 2 veterinarians, 1 hospital director), 302 national survey respondents representing diverse practice types, and 4 academic faculty. Phase 1 generated 101 competencies. The Phase 2 national survey resulted in the removal of 9 competencies and addition of 2 new competencies based on workforce feedback. Phase 3 curriculum mapping demonstrated comprehensive alignment between the accredited academic programs and the framework, identifying no omissions. The finalized framework, termed Advancing Skills, Competencies, and Education in Veterinary Nursing Development (ASCEND), consisted of 94 competencies organized into 18 domains. CONCLUSIONS: The ASCEND framework provides a validated, workforce-informed foundation defining 94 essential competencies for credentialed veterinary technicians across practice settings, demonstrating strong consensus and educational alignment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This framework offers a workforce-validated and academically aligned reference intended to support role clarity and scope-of-practice expectations for credentialed veterinary technicians.