NAFV Efforts and Accomplishments

The following is a partial list of major NAFV efforts and accomplishments where NAFV has played a major role, and often an exclusive role, as the only organization substantially addressing the concerns of federally employed veterinarians. Some of these efforts and accomplishments are ongoing and often involve years of work.

Legislative:

·         NAFV was involved in legislation that granted overtime pay to federal veterinarians at a rate that is no less than their base pay.  Previous to this legislation, federal veterinarians were paid overtime at the GFS10 step 1 level.

·         In 2007, NAFV wrote the current amendments to the Humane Slaughter Act adding poultry, ratites, and rabbits. Since 2007, NAFV has been actively involved in getting these amendments passed.   These amendments have been introduced into Congress, but despite our efforts on several occasions it has not passed yet. 

·         NAFV wrote and persisted in getting legislation passed guaranteeing true overtime for all FSIS veterinarian’s working reimbursable overtime. This effort added a considerable increase in the take home pay for a very large number of FSIS veterinarians.

·         NAFV has worked with APHIS and USDA to guarantee true reimbursable overtime pay for APHIS veterinarians enforcing the Import-Export Act.  To date, this effort has not yet been successful.

·         NAFV has assisted in drafting language and/or providing input for the following bills in 2009:

1.     The Farm Bill of 2009

2.     Veterinary Services Investment Act- this act will help to bolster and improve veterinary service across the country

3.     The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which was authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Service Act which would provide student loan repayment to veterinarians who work in underserved areas or in agencies with veterinarian shortages

4.     Wildlife/zoo Veterinary Medicine Act which may provide funding for more veterinarians in this arena, including federal employment

5.     Federal Veterinarian specialty pay which would provide additional pay for federal veterinarians including Board certification pay and advanced degree specialty pay.

6.      Assisted with developing the language for a Bill to amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to establish a grant program to promote efforts to develop, implement, and sustain veterinary services. This should increase the opportunity for federal veterinarians to receive training and continuing education.

7.     Participated in the President’s Council on Environmental Health and provided requested input on Ocean Policy and Ocean Health.  We emphasized the value that federal veterinarians can provide in these efforts.  This should result in increased participation of federal veterinarians in new ocean health programs.   

·         NAFV lobbies the Agriculture Appropriations Committee for additional funding for USDA programs

·         In 2008, NAFV contributed significantly to the GAO report on the federal veterinarian workforce report which identified the importance of federal veterinarians and the critical shortages of federal veterinarians in several agencies.  The report included several recommendations on improving the federal veterinarian workforce.

·         NAFV testified before a Senate committee in February, 2009 on the status for federal veterinarians and the critical need for improvement in recruitment and, retention incentives and work/life issues including specialty pays.

OPM and Federal Agency Liaison

In 2009, NAFV is participating as a member of 3 federal agency workgroups that are developing strategies to improve the federal veterinarian workforce.  NAFV is a part of the VMO Workforce Initiative, the Workforce Planning Action Team and the VMO Talent Advisory Council.  These efforts are coordinated by OPM.

AVMA and Other Professional Organizations

·         NAFV maintains daily liaison with AVMA governmental regulatory liaison leadership. NAFV works on an ongoing basis to keep AVMA aware of the concerns of federal veterinarians. NAFV works on numerous joint efforts with the AVMA including specialty pay for federal veterinarians.

·         NAFV works with the Coalition for Effective Change, an organization of federal supervisory, managerial and professional organizations to monitor and improve the effectiveness and treatment of supervisors, managers and professionals.

·         NAFV is a member of the Animal Agricultural Coalition (AAC).  The AAC-s mission is to support animal agriculture research, education, extension and biosecurity needs by passing appropriate federal funding and legislation, as well as reviewing pertinent regulatory proposals and rulemaking.  NAFV is active in major efforts to secure appropriate federal funding for agency programs.

·         NAFV works with the United States Animal Health Association and with their membership of state and federal governments, universities, veterinarians, livestock producers, national livestock and poultry organizations, research scientists, the extension service and others to prevent, control and eliminate livestock diseases in the United States.  The NAFV EVP is a member of the USAHA Committee on Diagnostic Laboratory and Veterinary Workforce Development and is working to develop support for federal veterinarian workforce issues.

Chapters

·         NAFV, through the efforts of the Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and officers and representatives assist in chapter meetings, current initiatives, and program/personnel/managerial problem resolution.

·         NAFV, through the American Academy of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (an NAFV corporation), develops Continuing Educational programs for chapters and local groups.

Website

NAFV provides as web site that explains the purpose and objectives of the Association.  NAFV has expanded its web site to include more pertinent information and resources for its members including a comment section and a news item section.

Professional Liability Insurance

NAFV worked with FEDS to implement a professional liability program that not only addresses lawsuits against members for official acts, but provides individual representation for certain work related problems, namely defenses to disciplinary proposals and investigations.

NAFV General Counsel

·         NAFV arranged for the continued counsel of Bill Hughes for advice on work related issues

·         NAFV has provided individual representation in investigations and proposed disciplinary actions in the past, thereby assuring the rights of NAFV members. 

Consultations with FSIS and APHIS

·         NAFV maintains a mutually beneficial system of periodic meetings with APHIS executive management to identify and resolve agency and member problems, and to improve the functioning of agency programs and initiatives.

·         NAFV is currently attempting to re-institute consultations with FSIS.  NAFV has been successful in providing FSIS headquarters staff with suggestions on improving the veterinarian workforce within FSIS. We are now working towards ways to identify and improve working conditions in several areas of FSIS.

General

·         NAFV assists agencies in developing and implementing effective programs and in improving communication between various levels of agency officials and veterinarians.

·         NAFV assists our members with work related issues and in resolving problems they encounter with agency officials and policies.

·         NAFV was instrumental in originating liability insurance coverage for veterinarians in federal public practice.

·         NAFV has worked with FSIS staff to improve the pay-for performance demonstration project.

·         NAFV is a member of the USDA/APHIS/VS Succession Planning committee that is developing plans to recruit and retain employees for the agency. 

·         NAFV is constantly looking for ways to provide members with Continuing Education (CE) opportunities

·         NAFV contributed to and help edit the Federal Government chapter from a book entitled “Career Choices for Veterinarians” to help assist veterinary student and veterinarians in obtaining employment within the federal government.

·         NAFV established the American Academy of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (AAVPM).  The objectives of the AAVPM is to provide postgraduate veterinary courses in preventative medicine which will guard and preserve the privilege of setting our own standards within the profession and grant recognition of achievements in the veterinary profession.  NAFV was successful in obtaining approval for all contributions to the AAVPM as charitable deductions for tax purposes.

·         NAFV assists members in resolving job-related issues

·         NAFV maintains a Memorial Scholarship fund for sons and daughters of members who are enrolled in recognized colleges of veterinary medicine.

·         NAFV has a Political Action Committee (PAC) that makes contributions to congressional candidates who will further the interests and positions of federal veterinarians and NAFV.  NAFV was successful in obtaining approval for all contributions to the PAC as charitable deductions for tax purposes.

·         NAFV conducts an annual survey to determine the number of veterinarians working in the federal government

·         NAFV resolved the troublesome issue regarding US veterinarians crossing international borders into Mexico and Canada with no official status.  Now, among other things, they will be officially recognized by the embassies, have official passports, and be insured when using US GOVs.

·         NAFV is attempting to upgrade certain veterinary positions in FSIS and APHIS

·         NAFV is attempting to create a career ladder in FSIS, and to reduce or eliminate the negative attitude toward veterinarians as public health professionals, including the heavy handed approach by employee relations and the failure for executive management to accept blame when problems develop, rather looking at lower level veterinarians as scapegoats.

·         NAFV is working to improve staffing in critical positions.

·         NAFV was instrumental in eliminating the GS 9 as a veterinary grade thereby increasing the entry level of federal veterinarians.

·         NAFV is working toward the virtual elimination of the GS 11 as an operating grade.

·         The Federal Veterinarian newsletter began publication in 1922 and has continued without a break since that time until the present.  The newsletter provides the members with a summary of the significant events and activities in public veterinary practice and management.  It also serves as a written voice of federal veterinarians.

·         NAFV was very active in the revision of the Poultry Products Inspection Act of 1957, the Wholesome Meat Act of 1967, and the Wholesome Poultry Products Act of 1968.

·         NAFV initiated the Civil Service Commission review and rewrite of the Veterinary Classification standards in 1980.

·         NAFV established and funds the first federal award for veterinarians- the Daniel E. Salmon Award, which is given in conjunction with the USDA awards each year.

·         NAFV has played a major role in influencing AVMA actions concerning public practice veterinarians for the past several decades.

·         NAFV assisted in the development of the Public Employee Roundtable to demonstrate pride in public service and form a coalition for improving government.

·         NAFV was instrumental in the issuance of a letter from the APHIS Administrator regarding agency policy encouraging employees to take the opportunity to continuously improve their knowledge and skills through training and education programs.