Habla Espanol? If the answer is ‘yes’, you could have an advantage over your peers without even knowing it.

With the number of Spanish-, Japanese-, and various dialects of Chinese speakers growing in the US, there exists a need for bilingual employees in the veterinary healthcare field, says Sheila Grosdidier, RVT, a Firstline Editorial Advisory Board member and a consultant with VMC Inc. in Evergreen, Colo.

Recent trends
Grosdidier says the real ‘a-ha’ moment happened for her in Florida about four years ago. “We had a few clinics who were having trouble finding not just 'qualified' team members, but bilingual qualified team members.”

The language barrier poses a real problem for many clinics. An inability to clearly communicate important information or concerns can ruin client-doctor relationships, and can ultimately affect the health of the pet. By having employees who can speak directly to clients, instead of whomever the client has brought along to interpret for them, you can increase the client’s understanding and gain their trust, Grosdidier suggests.

But it’s not just about learning the words, says Grosdidier. “Languages rarely happen in a vacuum. It’s not just about speaking the language, it’s about developing an appreciation of the culture—how they do business, how they think and feel, their relationships with their pets, their needs.”

Bargaining tool
Having knowledge of other cultures can be a great bargaining chip when applying to jobs, as it can increase your worth and give you an edge over your competitors. You’ll be able to offer a clinic skills and services that others cannot—you can speak the language, you understand the culture, and you can help market services to clients the clinic is not reaching. It could be one of your biggest selling points and completely change the employee-employer relationship. Says Grosdidier, “It opens up a whole new realm. It transcends from a passive employee-employer relationship to a collaborative partnership.”

Old dogs, new tricks
Grosdidier advises current students to take full advantage of any and all resources available while still in school. If you haven’t already, enroll in a few language courses and look for clinics with established bilingual services when applying for internships or preceptorships.  

For those already in the field, it’s never been easier to brush up on your skills or learn some new ones. There are countless websites and online tools that can teach you the basics and let you learn at your own pace. “Start off with a few phrases and look for opportunities to use them,” suggests Grosdidier.

If you’d like a faster approach, you can check out the available language programs being offered by local colleges and universities, or find tutors who can come in and speak with the entire office. And don’t be afraid to ask your boss about picking up the tab. It may take some convincing, but if you can show how spending a little money now will greatly increase revenue in the future, your boss might be glad to do it.

Forward thinking
Eventually, this issue will confront every clinic, in every state, so you might as well get a head start. “It’s time to come up with a strategy,” says Grosdidier, “You can either take the opportunity to control the market, or you can let the market control you.”