Practice Manager

There's never enough time in your day—so make every moment in the exam room count. And remember, even small improvements in exam-room procedures can dramatically improve your whole team's efficiency.

I'm the first person in the office every morning, and the evening staff always leaves messes for me to clean up. How can I encourage them to pull their weight?

We never have staff meetings, and no one ever knows what's going on in the practice. How can we encourage staff meetings?

I've met a lot of great doctors. And I like them. As a group, I think veterinarians are among the nicest people on the planet. And, just like you, they have a special calling to help pets that sets them apart from other professionals. But that doesn't mean every doctor is a joy to work for or with. And I know they're not always that open to doing things differently.

It's hard to find the right words when you're broaching a topic that could spark tempers. Here's help to head off eruptions with co-workers, clients, or the boss.

The practice owner won't invest in a piece of new equipment that I think we really need. How can I convince her to buy?

This new publication is brought to you from the editors of Veterinary Economics, the magazine that veterinarians turn to for the information and inspiration they need to create successful practices and coach successful teams. But Firstline is designed just for you.

My doctor doesn't like to change. How can I make him more open to new ideas and approaches?

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Different people find different situations stressful, but some stressors transcend personal differences and affect a majority. Many such key job stresses are associated with these six categories.

Feel like you're going round and round and getting nowhere? Use this planning exercise to plot a course that heads straight for your dreams.

It's difficult to really know what a job offers until you've been there a while (Catch-22!), but a little astute questioning can help. Use these questions as aids. Don't read them to prospective employers as a list of demands--gently work them into interviews when appropriate.

It's difficult to really know what a job offers until you've been there a while (Catch-22!), but a little astute questioning can help. Use these questions as aids. Don't read them to prospective employers as a list of demands--gently work them into interviews when appropriate.

Use these thought-starters to take a close look at your progress and plot a successful future.

Use these thought-starters to take a close look at your progress and plot a successful future.

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Worried that your employees aren't working effectively? Try a tip from Ethics4Everyone, by Eric Harvey and Scott Airitam (Performance Systems Corp., 2002).

If you're thinking of pulling up the stakes and moving to another practice in another state, do some number crunching first. Yes, the salary offered looks great, but have you considered how much more you'll have to earn to live the life you want in that city?

Making money doesn't guarantee a successful and rewarding career or an enjoyable retirement. What you do with the money's far more important.

If you hire a practice manager, what would be your role as a practice owner? What guidance should you provide the manager? What type of supervision is required? In short, how do you manage a practice manager?

Vaccine Use in Practice: Considering the Science

Annual vaccination and wellness exams have dramatically reduced the levels of infectious diseases in dogs and cats in the United States. Since annual vaccination is considered to be the gold standard, many veterinarians are puzzled and confused by the recent suggested changes for vaccinating dogs and cats.

Product Focus: Dietary Supplements

Feline Diseases Fact Sheet

Canine Diseases Fact Sheet

Product Focus: Diagnostic Imaging - X-ray Supplies

In the March/April issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), an Executive Summary of the 2003 Canine Vaccine Guidelines was published. A full text of the guidelines, recommendations, and supporting literature is available to AAHA members on the organization's Web site (www.aahanet.org).

Handling stress is difficult for anyone. But as veterinary students or recent graduates, the mounting demands of disgesting and understanding volumes of medical facts, finding a job or internship, managing finances and keeping viable relatioinships, are enough to make anyone boil over once in awhile.