Duty bound: What do team members do?

Being part of a team means covering your assigned area and pitching in. It's great to step up on busy or slow days, but it's also important to make sure you're not handing over your primary responsibilities—or expertise. For example, almost 70 percent of credentialed technicians told us they answer phones and schedule appointments on a regular basis. Nearly 80 percent of veterinary assistants said the same thing. These team efforts are commendable and necessary, but they might not always be the most practical. Make sure you're utilizing your skills for the good of patients by focusing on your specific know-how—like pet care, if you're a technician.

If your team consistently overlaps on responsibilities, such as contacting clients for reminders, now may be a good time to review—or write—job descriptions. One way to update your professional profiles: Keep a record of your daily work activities for two weeks. Then look at everything you're doing. With lists in hand, you or your manager can determine if tasks are being handled appropriately or if some duty streamlining would improve efficiency. Even though this might not change your work routine, it's still nice for you—and your manager—to see all that you do.