Business

There are two things every employee wants to know ...

For 12 years, Dr. Steve Bishop and his crew at Animal Care Hospital in Phoenix have been tapping the retired population to make callbacks in the early evening. Doing so frees time for receptionists to work on other jobs, he says. "Plus, the hourly pay is less than for a receptionist, and the workers are more flexible with their time."

Gina Toman, a Firstline Editorial Advisory Board member and a veterinary assistant at Seaside Animal Care in Calabash, N.C., says that when you do a good job passing the client off to the receptionist after the appointment, you help prevent missed charges and improve the client's experience.

Picture this: You're explaining why Baxter needs heartworm preventives when the tinny sound of Beethoven's 5th erupts from inside your client's purse.

If dental compliance is a concern at your practice, you're not alone. The team at Lockwillow Avenue Animal Hospital in Harrisburg, Pa., worried that clients didn't always follow their dental recommendations.

Here's a quick snapshot of what we've learned about your career, pay, responsibilities, and feelings about veterinary practice.

Do I have to be nice if a client is really rude?

Anyone who's managed inventory knows it's tough to find the right balance of products without storing too much-or too little. These tips take the ache out of tracking, ordering, and stocking.

Don't settle for just-OK visits anymore. Use these service strategies to take your team's performance up a notch

Last week a client brought in a very sick pet and refused to treat it because of the cost. This makes me furious. What can I do?

It is long past time to modify our practices to fit the times and increase the quality of relations between veterinarians and their indispensable support staff. Why are we so quick to remodel our hospitals, run to buy ultrasound or digital X-ray equipment yet so slow to invest in our staff?

Clients often ditch their kids in the reception area. What should we do?

Are you making the most of your practice space? Find out by breaking down your earnings by square foot and comparing your numbers with these averages for each profit center.

Acute onsets of uncomplicated bacterial UTIs often "respond" to empirical antimicrobials.

We assume that data passed down from academia into the practitioner's environment is correct.

Taking the next big step in practice? Whether you're adding a doctor to the team, making the jump to partner, or taking on a remodeling or building project, we've got the right advice.

Take a look at the issues team members say bother them most. Then think about what you could do to make their professional lives easier. They'll pay you back-promise! (Attention associates: Boss driving your crazy? We've got ideas for you, too.)

Your colleagues use these programs to improve care and raise revenue. Would a similar approach work for you?

Increased educational costs have new graduates struggling with more debt than ever before. Yet most feel confident they can carry the weight.

Where you choose to live affects your career opportunities, your personal happiness, and even the health of the patients you see. Does your city rank among the best?

Chances are you're already seeing the effects of pet obesity manifested in diseases like diabetes and osteoarthritis. And obesity-related illnesses won't start decreasing anytime soon.

As owners spend oodles on pets, you're seeing more business. And you're managing your practice better than ever before. Is there a downside?

Are you making the most of your practice space? Find out by breaking down your earnings by square foot and comparing your numbers with these averages for each profit center.

Data shows that if your clients arrive during a busy time, their average wait for check-in and check-out can hit 21 to 29 minutes during a 42- to 49-minute visit. That's almost half their time at the practice.

Step one: Weigh the benefits and decide whether you're interested in ownership. Step two: Start developing critical leadership skills.

Even Well-Managed Practices aren't seeing many patients for twice-yearly exams—proof that the idea hasn't caught on yet. Use these strategies to educate your clients about the benefits.

Almost 90 percent of you are are at work. Maybe it's time to buck the trend.

Data shows team members are in search of stronger leadership. So prevent kinks in teamwork and breaks in communication by taking these six critical steps—and set a positive tone for the practice.

A good negotiator earns up to $31,000 more a year. But pay heed; bad negotiations can cost you big. Are you letting too much money trot off?

Clearly, more team members work in veterinary practice than doctors. But how many are there exactly?