AIMVT Tiered Mentor Program

Tier 1:  AIMVT Applicant Community Facebook Group
  • Open to all interested veterinary technicians, including future applicants, current candidates, and certified VTS members.
  • Moderated by DALs and AIMVT members to ensure accuracy and professionalism. 
  • Q & A on general application topics
  • Monthly themed discussions

Tier 2:  AIMVT Applicant Cohorts VSPN Group (**coming soon**)
  • Open to applicants currently in their application year.
  • Moderated by DALs and AIMVT members to ensure accuracy and professionalism. 
  • Weekly “Office Hours” hosted by AIMVT mentors or committee members. 
  • Monthly themed discussions

Tier 3:  One-on-One Mentorship for repeat applicants
  • Mentors assigned to all repeat applicants
  • Provide targeted mentorship for individuals reapplying for VTS certification
  • Personalized pairing with a mentor in the same specialty 
  • Includes initial goal setting and monthly checkins

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is someone who takes a special interest in helping another person develop into a successful professional. In general, an effective mentoring relationship is characterized by mutual respect, trust, understanding, and empathy. Good mentors are able to share life experiences and wisdom, as well as technical expertise. They are good listeners, good observers, and good problem-solvers. They try to know, accept, and respect the goals and interests of their mentee. In the end, they establish an environment in which the mentee’s accomplishment is limited only by the extent of their talent. AIMVT mentors shall be members of AIMVT in good standing and hold a VTS in internal medicine. Charter members may be utilized as mentors if no other mentors in the specialty are available. Mentors cannot receive financial compensation for their time.​

Are there established mentoring styles?  Which style is best?

There is no single formula for good mentoring; mentoring styles and activities are as varied as human relationships. Different mentees will require different amounts and kinds of attention, advice, information, and encouragement. Some mentees will feel comfortable approaching their mentors; others will be shy, intimidated, or reluctant to seek help. While the mentoring relationship must be driven by the mentee, a good mentor is approachable and available. Often mentees will not know what questions to ask, what information they need, or what their options are. A good mentor can lessen such confusion by getting to know their mentee and being familiar with the kinds of suggestions and information that can be useful. Asking direct questions can help in this process. Ask “How is your first Case Report coming along?”  rather than “How is your application coming along?”​

I'm a member of AIMVT and would like to be a mentor - how much time is involved?

This is somewhat dependent on the Tier and the activity. Effective mentoring need not always require large amounts of time. An experienced, perceptive mentor can provide great help in just a few minutes by making the right suggestion or asking the right question. The nature of a mentoring relationship varies with the level and activities of both mentee and mentor. In general, however, each relationship must be based on a common goal: to advance the educational and personal growth of the mentee. You, as mentor, can also benefit enormously. There is a tremendous amount of satisfaction to be had by helping someone else succeed.  The mentee’s success will be much more satisfying when they realize that THEY did the work. A mentor’s job is to show them HOW to do the work, not to do it for them!​

How do I join the AIMVT Applicant Community on Facebook?

If you have submitted your intent to apply form, request to join the AIMVT Applicants Facebook group for help and support.

At the start of the application year, current applicants will receive instructions on joining the closed VSPN group (Tier 2).

Repeat applicants:  please contact the Mentor Committee at [email protected] and they will work to pair you with a mentor.  

Maximizing Your Relationship

Check out our webinar on how to get the most out of your mentoring relationship