• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Ask Amy: A tale of two tough employees

October 1, 2008

How do you deal with difficult co-workers?

Our practice has two new problem employees: a veterinary assistant who does too much and a practice manager who does too little. The assistant tries to do the job of a credentialed veterinary technician, and the practice manager just sits in her office checking her e-mail and making personal phone calls. Their behavior is making me miserable. How can I get our doctors to see what's going on? —MISERABLE

DEAR MISERABLE:

Advertisement

It's hard to tell if this is a management weakness, an employee fault, or a combination of both. The assistant intentionally may be going beyond the scope of her job, or she may not know what duties fall within her responsibilities. The manager may be under-qualified for her job, or she may not be getting the direction and support she needs to be successful. Did each of these team members receive a job description? If not, providing them with one may resolve the issue.

Regardless, you may need to approach the doctors about these team members. Before you do, make a list of three or four specific examples of how each team member's behavior has caused trouble in your practice. When you talk to the doctors, be factual and discuss behavior, not personalities. For example, don't say that the practice manager is lazy. Instead, say that a client asked about payment options three times and, each time, the manager ignored the question.

Once you've written your list, go to the doctors and calmly and professionally explain what's been happening. Share your examples and ask them to get involved. Be specific about your ideas for solutions, like updating the job descriptions, or offering job training. But most importantly, focus on what is good for the practice, not on why this is a drawback for you. —Amy

Related Content:

TechniciansRoles
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
3 tips for selling your practice
3 tips for selling your practice
A day in the life of an Australian veterinary student
A day in the life of an Australian veterinary student

Advertisement

Latest News

Pet Advocacy Network honors outstanding contributions to the pet care community

Traditional and holistic treatments for giardia

ASU trustees approve the creation of a new veterinary school

6 tips for first-time dog owners

View More Latest News
Advertisement