Roles

Sick of the communication gaps and the infighting about policy changes that often occur between front and back office team members? Crystal Steen, a receptionist at Pet Care Vet in Virginia Beach, Va., suggests electing area liaisons.

Most dogs that bite kids haven't chomped on children before, according to research.

You'd much rather be working with clients and pets than thumb-twiddling or standing around dreaming about services you could be rendering. So use these tips to cut back on no-shows and get back to business.

Latest in legal animal news.

Q. My associate earns 22.5 percent of her total production. Of that, about 17 percent is wages and the remainder is fringe benefits. She also receives a bonus. How can I switch her to ProSal without giving away the farm?

Q. How can I get the most out of my practice's open house?

My own illness gave me a glimpse into the tough road to recovery the patients at our clinic face every day-and how my care can make a difference.

We rehired a team member after she had a baby and she's implemented a nursing regimen at work. At lunch, she nurses in her car with her undergarments visible or on the side lawn of the practice parking lot. Then she pumps-in our doctor's office. The rest of the staff is uncomfortable, and we would like to encourage discretion while still supporting her decision to nurse her child. How do I approach this employee?

You show consistency as a boss and respect for your top employees when you terminate someone who needs to go.

Use these targeted tactics to chisel away at team members' bad behavior and heigh-ho poor performance right out of your practice.

Be careful firing bad apples who may fight back.

A veterinarian soars and says goodbye to stress.

An effective e-mail program gives your practice a high-tech image, says author Ralph Laurie.

Local veterinary hospitals refused to treat a dying dog-and not because they didn't have the skills or the client wouldn't pay.

On an ordinary day a few months ago, I watched a cartoon with my toddler about seeds of discontent.

Q When I discuss client education topics, I feel like clients are tuning me out. How can I make them listen?

You can safeguard the lives of pets and their families by discussing zoonotic diseases and prevention.

Our receptionists often forget to give clients their pets' medications before they leave our practice. I created a hanging prescription filing system to simplify the process, but that hasn't resolved the problem. I've approached my managers about the issue, but they don't seem concerned. What should I do?

They're the situations you dread.

Pet owners are clearly learning about nutrition. But where are they getting their information? Brian Conrad, practice manager at Meadow Hills Veterinary Center in Kennewick, Wash., worries that it's not from you.

The team at Concord Veterinary Center in Springville, NY, expected an uneventful monthly practice staff meeting, but Debbie Kaczmarski, LVT, the hospital manager, and Craig Wiede, DVM, the practice's owner, had another plan.

List of Tax Strategies stories in January through December of Veterinary Economics.

List of Personal Growth stories in January through December of Veterinary Economics.

List of Practice Finances stories in January through December of Veterinary Economics.

List of You Do What Else? columns in January through December of Veterinary Economics.

List of stories written by authors whose last name starts with K-K in January through December of Veterinary Economics.

List of Life Balance stories in January through December of Veterinary Economics.

I recently discovered I'm pregnant. How do I protect myself and my baby from work-related hazards?

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?

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.