Career Development

You've decided to expand the horizons of your practice, accept the mantle of the primary care veterinarian, and become part of a network of colleagues-responding to the health care needs of pets with the best care possible.

As a primary care veterinarian knows the patients' healthcare needs better than anyone. And sometimes those needs require that you utilize an extension of your practice-the specialist. By collaborating together, the primary care veterinarian and the specialist can provide excellent overall care. Learn how to shape the referral process into a success for everyone-your patients, your clients, and your practice.

Present day veterinarians have evolved from human islands to networks of people-treating pets in concert, making the most of the rapidly expanding body of knowledge that is veterinary medicine, and reqiring the schematic of private practice to harness a healthy array of specialties in service to clients and pets.

To help bridge the communication gap between primary care veterinarians and specialists, the AAHA developed practical referral guidelines for companian animal practices.

These steps will guide you on your way toward establishing a referral network for your own practice.

Communication is an essential element of the relationship among primary care veterinarians, specialists, and clients.

The long-distance job search, negotiation tactics and 30 ingredients to look for in employment contracts are topics of Dr. James F. Wilson's veterinary-school lecture series.

How to create an Excel spreadsheet that helps you figure the value of owning a clinic.

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Bring your knowledge and an animal or two-you'll be the greatest show on earth.

It's a natural progression to move from associate to practice owner, but you need to know what you're getting into. (And sellers, you need to make sure your buyer is positioned for success.)

Q. How will inflation and taxes affect my cash needs during retirement?

Q. I know we need to pay team members when they attend required training meetings. But what's the legal standard for paying associate veterinarians their salary to attend CE meetings? Where does the practice's responsibility end and the doctor's responsibility to maintain her license begin?

Help your team develop a year-long plan to improve on weaknesses and let them run with it.

Q. I'm looking to retire in a couple of years. How long would $600,000 last me if I withdrew $31,000 annually?

I'm an associate at a small-animal veterinary practice. Is it OK for me to date a client?

Plan morale-boosting events sporadically-not just during the holidays.

I already work a few Saturdays a month and now my boss wants more!

You know you can be a little backward. But it's time to get with the times ... 'cause they are a-changin'.

2007 BPA Statement -- Veterinary Economics

Plan your best year yet with our experts' goals and room for your own on this two-page form.

Complicated feelings about situations can make for more creativity in the workplace, according to a new study.

So, I recently had something of a rough patch at work. We lost two members of our five-person editorial team in one month ... can you empathize?

Clean up with 12 monthly resolutions for your best year yet! Plus! Three more must-do's from the experts!

Management by walking around is a concept put forward by Tom Peters in "In Search of Excellence."

Men: Don't marry a woman with a career because you'll run a higher risk of having marital problems (read: divorce).

Don't let Mondays drag you down. Use these tips to start the workweek with the right attitude.

You hope you never see that "specializes in bad news" TV reporter at your door. But you could. And then you need this advice.