Business

I work at a walk-in clinic. Some clients ask for me, but if it's a 40-minute wait, they'll see another doctor. My boss wants to pay me a percentage of my production. Is this fair at a walk-in clinic?

Dr. Eb Rouge sat at his desk sorting his mail and bills. His habit was to have an ongoing conversation with himself.

Tip No. 1: Place an ad where top applicants are likely to look.

Introducing new drugs or procedures into your practice can be frustrating if you're an associate-and it can be especially tough if you're a recent graduate. Here are a few tips I've learned through experience.

People I meet often believe that, because I completed veterinary school, I should know everything about every animal that God created. News flash: It isn't so.

If you're that fresh-from-vet-school doctor, I can tell you that the staff won't see you as the Great and Wonderful Dr. New. Rather, receptionists, technicians, and assistants will be watching you from the get-go and may pounce on your every misstep.

We'd like to announce a community award my practice won, but I'm not sure how to present it to the media. What's the best way to hand off a story idea to the press?

Why are so many equine practitioners having trouble selling their practices? Don't let it be you.

It's no secret that staff salaries are the biggest expense at most practices. At the same time, your team is your most valuable asset. How do you balance these two realities?

Send your team home on time and impress clients by replacing old-fashioned callbacks with e-mails and text messages.

Moving from a 3,500-square-foot facility to an 8,500-square-foot facility allowed Dr. Scott Linick, FAVD, to merge with another practice, hire two doctors, and add 7,000 new patients to his team's workload.

OK, so let's say you disagreed with Mark Opperman last month. You've done fine without written employment contracts, and you never intend to put one in place. Or maybe you tried to move to twice-yearly exams in November, and every client refused your recommendation ...

The story of a practice makeover that's been years in the making. It's inspirational and humorous because of the owner's positive outlook, along with his love and respect for his profession, his team, his patients, and his clients.

Moving From a 3,500-square-foot facility into an 8,500-square-foot facility allowed Dr. Scott Linick, FAVD, to merge with another practice, hire two doctors, and add 7,000 new patients to his team's workload.

The practice owner at the hospital where I'm an associate won't invest in a new piece of equipment that I think we really need. How can I convince her to buy?

Six pet owners tell their stories about why they left veterinary practices. Learn from their experiences--then use these tips and tools to avoid critical client care mistakes.

Grab clients' attention and encourage compliance by using descriptive terminology, suggests Sharon DeNayer, a Firstline Editorial Advisory Board member and the practice manager at Windsor Veterinary Clinic in Windsor, Colo.

Older clients may need a little extra care and attention to ensure a happy veterinary experience. Here's what you can do to help them help their pets.

How can our team members encourage clients to submit fecal samples?

They want help, and you want to give it. Learn how to launch a compassionate care fund and generate money for your pets and clients in need.

Don't get nailed by this tough client question. Learn how to give the answer clients are looking for.

Pets at VCA Tanglewood Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas, don't need to be the next Bark Pitt or Catty Holmes to receive star treatment.

Check your facility against the Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.

A feline lifestyle summary will help you tailor your message to fit each cat's needs.

A canine lifestyle summary will help you tailor your message to fit each dog's needs.

Use this letter to uncover the reason a client stopped visiting your practice.

A compassionate card fund application will help you determine clients' needs when you want to offer financial assistance.

Review this sample compassionate care fund protocol, then discuss how your practice will handle financial requests from clients in need.

Use this mystery shopper form to get critical feedback about your service.

Read this policy, then write your own so team members know when their personal pets are welcome in your practice.