Roles

The commission of errors is an unavoidable part of human existence. While errors might be as benign as misplacing car keys, their existence in the medical arena might be disastrous, causing injury or death.

You probably got ethics training in school, but that's very different from the experience you get in practice, when you're actually facing the tough questions. You want to do what's right for the horse. You need to know the law, so you don't put your practice at risk. You sure don't want to pay fines or put your license on the line. How can you keep it all on the straight and narrow? Consider this article your refresher. Let's get ethical.

You're the heart of your hospital. Making changes to get fit, eat healthy, and work smart will take courage and resolve, but we know you've got it in you.

Technician and veterinarian are fastest-growing top 10 jobs.

Form asking employees to acknowledge that they understand the hospital manual and their at-will status

Employee manual wording for introductory employment periods and discplinary procedures

Use this PDF of paper pies to track ideas that team members submit to improve efficiency, save money, or boost service.

Most of us aren't very comfortable talking about ourselves. It's a hard skill to master, and too often it feels like you're bragging. But if you're not talking about what you do well, how will others know? If you're waiting for them to catch you in the act, you may have a long wait.

Q What can we do to gently handle pets with possible pain issues?

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.