10 Ways to Become a Great Practice OwnerApril 23, 2015People do not work for a company, they work for a boss. Are you the kind of boss that people want to work for? If you own a veterinary practice, then it is essential for you to hire and maintain a great team of people; people who will want to work for you now and in the future. Here are 10 ways to become a great practice owner: Share your Passion, Hopes and Dreams for the Practice: This could be a written mission or vision statement, or it could simply be the verbal message that you consistently share with the team. Regardless, your team needs to know why you became a veterinarian, and what you hope to accomplish by owning a practice. What were your dreams when you opened the practice, and have they changed? What do you hope for the future of the practice and your part in the profession? The only way your team can share your dream is if they know what it is … so share that dream. Be the Moral Compass: You may have a code of ethics or values written up, or you may simply live the type of professional life that you feel is appropriate. …
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10 Ways to Become a Great Associate VeterinarianApril 15, 2015Perhaps you just graduated from veterinary school … congrats! You now have DVM (or VMD) behind your name, and you are ready to jump right in and help a practice take care of their clients and patients. Or perhaps you graduated a while ago, and while you have no interest in owning a practice at this time, you do want to have a pleasant working environment, which you may or may not have at this time. Here are some ways to become a great associate veterinarian, for everyone’s benefit. School of Hard Knocks: If you did just graduate veterinary school, you are likely anxious to share what you have learned with the boss, and the team. Slow down, and realize that you are now just a freshman in the School of Hard Knocks, the ultimate reality of working in a practice, and in this particular practice. You have learned a lot, but you still have a lot to learn, and often it isn’t about the medicine. Keep reading… Technicians Can Teach: There is absolutely no doubt about it: When it comes to the duties of patient care, there will be technicians that know more than you do, especially if they have been working in the practice …
How to Negotiate for What You Want in Your Veterinary JobApril 9, 2015Once you have a job interview, you may want to dive right in to the details to see if this is the job you want and if you can get what you deserve in terms of pay and benefits. Yet while you may be tempted to start negotiations during the personal interview, it is probably best to wait, particularly if they indicate that there will be another step after this face-to-face interview. Gather all the information you need during the interview regarding wages and benefits, and go home and consider what you have acquired. Compare the wages and benefits to what you have now and what you hope for in the future. Keep in mind that if the wage is lower, but the benefits are better, this could still be a great move. Consider the work environment, as well, including the location (how long of a commute), facility (is it old and falling apart), equipment (do they have all the equipment you would like to use), people (you’ve already met front office and management, at least, and perhaps during a tour you met more of the team) and your gut instinct during this visit. Then be ready to negotiate if …
5 Photos of Vet School Study BuddiesApril 1, 2015When it's time to study, who better to study with then the pet who inspired you to go to vet school? Like this dog, who is eager that you learn all about veterinary medicine. My study buddy <3 #dog #study #vetschool #pitbull #pitbullsofinstagram #instadogs #batears #budapest #love A photo posted by Camilla Hövik (@camillaizabell) on Mar 30, 2015 at 12:21pm PDT This puppy may be a little lost reading the course material, but he'll encourage you to keep reading! "I have no idea what I'm reading dad" @dachshundsofinstagram #dachshund #featuremydoxie #doxieoftheday #doxie #sausagedog #instadog #instagay #cute #study #mac #apple #instadaily #igers #dog #vetschool A photo posted by Dan Mack (@dan_mack_) on Mar 30, 2015 at 8:18pm PDT There's nothing like coffee and a cat while studying.
The Funniest Client ExpressionsApril 1, 2015In honor of April Fool’s Day, we share a few wacky client expressions, either heard personally or kindly shared by colleagues and technicians. This is in no way meant to make fun of our beloved clients. OK, maybe just a little. If we were to enter their professional world, we also would butcher expressions and misunderstand their explanations. Feel free to share expressions you’ve heard after reading! General Pet Care “My male puppy was just neutralized.” “Are you going to seduce my dog to clean his teeth?” “My dog needs his distemperment shot for his bad behavior.” “My dog needs his Bordello vaccine.” A classic: “My dog was spayded.” “No need to give my puppy a wormer, he was already wormed.” “My vet found the tumor by palpitation of his belly.” New dog breeds: Rockweiler, Am Stat. “I feed him Euba-Kanuba.” Surgery Department A client who felt the need to insist that he was an engineer: “My dog has a prenatal hernia and hip diphtheria.” (Translation: a perineal hernia and hip dysplasia.) After discussing removing an ununited anconeal process from a shepherd’s elbow: “Can it be done with minimally evasive surgery?” Me: “Please don’t forget to fast your dog after …
How To Prepare For An InterviewMarch 26, 2015It worked! You sent out your resume and cover letter, and you have a fish on the line! Now is the time to get ready for your interview. Be aware that the practice may want to conduct a phone interview, personal interview and even a “working” interview or observation time. Here are some things to consider: One of the best ways to interview involves behavioral questions, which is founded on the concept that past actions are the best predictor for future actions. So you may be asked questions such as: Next time, we’ll take a look at the face-to-face interview and how to sell yourself to land the job you want! Be ready for a phone call. This may sound silly, but it matters what type of voicemail message a potential employer will hear when they call you. Take a moment to listen to your outgoing messages, at home and/or on your cell phone, and make sure you sound professional — no loud music, obscure messages, lazy grammar, that sort of thing. At least while you’re sending out resumes, you should realize this is someone’s very first image of you. Make it a good one. Keep in mind that a …
Pets In The Clinic: 5 Instagram PhotosMarch 25, 2015Your job isn't always dealing with clients or patients that don't want to be in your clinic. Some pets seem to love the clinic, like these 5 pets. Working hard this Wednesday morning! #hvc #veterinarian #minipigsofinstagram #pintsizedpiglets A photo posted by Heartland Veterinary Clinic (@heartlandvetclinic) on Mar 25, 2015 at 6:07am PDT BB Basil is working hard at the front desk today. Call him to schedule an appointment. #qvpets #killingly #connecticut #veterinarian #veterinary #vettech #vetlife #ctvet #petstagram #newengland #Massachusetts #plainfield #putnam #killingly #danielson #catsofinstagram A photo posted by Quinebaug Valley Vet Hospital (@qvvets) on Mar 25, 2015 at 1:07pm PDT Chilling on my floor..lol #puppy #puppylove #puppies #chilling …
5 Veterinarian-Themed MugsMarch 19, 2015If you need your cup of coffee in the morning, you need a mug that will brighten your day just as much as the caffeine. Try one of these 5 mugs! This mug from the Blue Fox Etsy shop knows why you went into veterinary medicine. This simple mug from TYDDesigns features a cat design made out of a stethoscope. If your clinic's clients aren't around to see it, this mug from Blue Fox might be perfect for you. This cute mug from Mugxie can be customized for your hair and skin color. If you need more the one cup of Joe, try this customizable tumbler mug from HeartfeltPersonals instead. Have you moved past coffee for this day? You might want to try this cup instead: This glass from WulfCreekDesigns can be made for veterinarians and veterinary students too.
How to Find and Keep the Job You LoveMarch 12, 2015It’s nearly impossible to know when you might want to consider changing jobs, unless you are making the decision, of course, and then it depends on how impulsive you may be! Regardless, it is important to stay “ready to launch” into finding a new job whenever needed. Keep your eyes open. Even if you are “happily married” to your current job, remain observant about job openings in your profession and region. Stay in touch with your state or provincial VMA at a minimum. If you are a veterinary technician, you should also continually review the classifieds for your technician association. By doing so, you will not only be one of the first to spot a great opportunity for advancement, but you’ll also get a feel for the supply and demand for employees. For instance, if you notice a continued or sudden increase in practices looking for credentialed technicians, you’ll know that the demand is high and supply may be low, so you could ask your current employer for a more competitive wage and/or benefits, knowing that it will not be as easy to replace you if you decide to leave. Pay particular attention to any wage and/or benefits mentioned …
4 Tips for Hiring Veterinary StaffMarch 9, 2015Whether you are just starting your own veterinary practice or you are looking to replace or expand your practice, hiring is an essential part of running an efficient practice. With an employee costing 1 ½ to 3-times their annual salary and some employees taking up to five months to reach break-even productivity, according to Investopedia, making sure your next hire is the right one is essential to your practice’s longevity. Have you looked at how your practice selects the best candidates? Here are some tips to help your veterinary practice reduce hiring time and increase the amount of time you can spend growing your business by better serving new and existing clients. Focus on Soft and Technical Skills When Hiring While having the necessary education and licensure for a technician or veterinarian is necessary for competency, looking at the complete skill set of a potential hire is equally important when making a successful hire. “For a technician, you look for a person with good technical skills: Being able to put catheters in, being able to intubate animals, being able to setup a patient for a radiograph is what I look for in a vet tech,” says Dr. Philip …
