dvm360 VHMA critical competencies resource guide

Download your complete copy of Critical Competencies: A Guide for Veterinary Practice Management Professionals here.

To use this dvm360 Resource Guide for Building Critical Competencies, click on the 13 critical skills below to read more about how to develop each of these skills.

1. Decision making. The ability to make good decisions, solve problems and decide on important matters, gather and analyze data, choose among alternatives and implement decisions is a critical skill required of practice management professionals.

2. Integrity. Upholding high standards of ethical conduct by ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and standards is at the heart of being an effective professional. So is being trustworthy with financial accounts and banking responsibilities and showing discretion with confidential matters.

3. Critical and strategic thinking. Practice management professionals must have the ability to identify questions, problems and arguments relevant to planning for the future and to use logic and critical reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions or approaches to problems.

4. Planning and prioritizing. The practice management professional has many practice responsibilities, several of which relate to accomplishing tasks effectively. A manager must be organized and capable of setting priorities to efficiently and effectively achieve goals and meet deadlines.

5. Oral communication and comprehension. Practice management professionals must be effective communicators, expressing their thoughts clearly. They must also be good listeners and willing to hear what others have to say whether dealing with groups, employees, peers or clients.

 6. Writing and verbal skills. Whether writing or updating protocols, interpreting technical information or getting a point across, the ability to write in a way that is clear, concise and tailored to the audience will assist in ensuring the target audience comprehends what is being transmitted.

7. Analytical skills. Practice management professionals must accurately grasp complex information and concepts and make correct inferences from their analysis of the data.

8. Compliance. Managers are responsible for office management and compliance with federal, state and professional regulations. They must be thorough and conscientious in addressing these assignments.

9. Resourcefulness. The multifaceted nature of the practice requires practice management professionals to be capable of applying knowledge, skills and expertise to perform tasks quickly and efficiently.

10. Continuous learning. Best practices in management are evolving. Practice management professionals must keep up with these changes.

11. Resilience. Veterinary hospitals can be stressful workplaces. Coping effectively with pressure and setbacks, crises, obstacles and failures while remaining calm and in control is essential.

12. Adaptability. Uncertainty and unpredictability in the workplace require that managers be receptive and comfortable with change and ambiguity.

13. Leadership. Practice management professionals should demonstrate talent for influencing and motivating others, taking the initiative and organizing and coordinating.