Owners

Almost half of illicit drug users who are employed full-time work at businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Find out how you can make your practice a drug-free zone.

Practice managers lower turnover, free up the doctors' time so they can focus more on patients and clients, and improve the owners' sanity. Could you use one of these gems in your practice?

I've been with the same clinic for seven years. There's a lot of turnover, and my boss hires new graduates. Depending on my day, I'm stuck playing teacher with up to three new veterinarians. My boss isn't around much and says I'm not pulling my weight given what I'm being paid. How can I explain the situation to him?

It's tougher than ever to get a strong new associate. But these strategies can help your practice stand out.

We'll soon have Internet services available for employees to use for ordering. We've said that personal use isn't allowed, but should I add this to the clinic's policy manual? What should I include?

Juggling a career and kids may seem impossible. But with a little thought and planning, you can bring a baby onboard-and still keep your head above water.

Once I discovered mountain climbing was something I could do, I wanted to push myself," says Dr. Michael Andrews. "When I was 20, I never thought I'd be doing something like this."

As we communicate more through e-mail, electronic etiquette is evolving. Make sure you're evolving, too.

Few pets miss their regular test or get behind on their medications at Lost Mountain Animal Hospital in Marietta, Ga. That's because Tiffany Gluckman, a receptionist, sends out reminders to clients to make appointments for procedures, tests, and medications, such as T4 levels and phenobarbital screens every six months, heartworm medication every year, and regular dentals.

Laminated educational review sheets for annual wellness exams engage clients and save paper. With National Pet Wellness Month around the corner, it's a great time to spice up your wellness exams.

Salaries make up a big chunk of your total expenses, but when team members cover their basic living expenses, there may not be much left.

When a staff member leaves, it's more than just an inconvenience. In fact, Well-Managed Practices estimate it costs them $22,360 on average when an employee leaves, says Cynthia Wutchiett, CPA.

Are you paying your team too little, too much, or just about right given your location and their experience?

To keep happy, high-quality employees, you need to show great team members that you appreciate their contributions. Would your rewards get rave reviews?

Maintaining some semblance of your current lifestyle in retirement doesn't have to be a "pie in the sky" idea-if you plan ahead. (Hey, 30-somethings: We're talking to you!)

Your standards should be clear, concise protocols—like the ones listed below-for what you believe is the best care for the pets you see.

When you, your team, and your clients are reading from the same set of directions, you make it to your end goal-better pet care-with fewer detours.

Remind clients that parasite control keeps pets-and people-healthy. Then use handouts like this one as a follow-up to your exam room message.

You cover a lot of ground everyday, leaping personal and professional hurdles. Balance and practice will help you tread diverse terrain and become more than a well-rounded doctor-you'll be a well-rounded person.

Owners and associates, you can see eye to eye. Just get the monkeys off your back.

Want to love your job 10 years from now? A little time away could make the critical difference.

Agree on the basic care you want to deliver at your veterinary hospital. Write it down. And get all your team members heading in the same direction.

Don't you want to improve efficiency, communication, and revenue? If you're not using electronic medical records, you're losing out on these opportunities.

Dana and Gary Gayner say their veterinarian gave their 2-year-old German shepherd a sedative instead of euthanizing the animal; then the clinic turned around and gave the dog to another owner, because they considered the owners "heartless," according to an article by The Associated Press.

Use this budgeting tool to capture your revenue, expenses, and amount available for compensation and reinvestment.

A longtime staff member who's in her late 50s is having trouble learning our new computerized billing system. We don't want to fire her, but we need to replace her with someone who can handle our new technology. If we asked her to retire, would we risk an age-discrimination suit?

Estradiol cypionate (ECP) isn't approved for animals, says the FDA in response to reports that pharmacies and veterinarians have compounded ECP for use as an estrogenic hormone for reproductive therapy in dairy cows and beef cattle.

A base plan gives team members somewhere to start, minimizing confusion and panic.

Proper disposal is the law-and it's for your own safety.

Educate clients about the benefits of senior care by putting together a protocol and sending a consistent message. Handouts such as this one can help you deliver your message.