Tag: Clients
-
What’s the magic word?
—
by
Do you have a favourite word when communicating with clients? I’m sure you all have your own ideas on this – from the obvious to the downright inappropriate – but, for me, when taking a history, triaging or just engaging in small talk, I find one word focuses and directs the conversation. I always find…
-
How to survive your first weeks as a new grad
—
by
You’ve done it – five long years of hard work and study have paid off and you’ve graduated as a fully fledged vet. Welcome to the veterinary community. And it is just that – a community of people who’ve all been there and had a first day as a vet. You’ll find that everyone (meaning…
-
Are new grads avoiding OOH?
—
by
With the increasing popularity of outsourcing out-of-hours care to specific emergency centres, today’s new graduates have a very real option to never have to work OOH. While it is often insinuated it would be a good learning experience to at least do some OOH during your veterinary career, many new grads are opting for the…
-
It’s not personal, it’s strictly business
—
by
Veterinary practices are businesses. Their purpose is to make money for their owners. I state this clearly, because it’s a truth always felt incongruous. We all have our own reasons for entering the profession, of course, but mine didn’t include owning a business – that aspect of the veterinary world barely crossed my mind –…
-
The ‘many paws’ depriving our pets
—
by
I’ve recently been to a writing group I sometimes go to, because, well, I suppose I am a writer. I’ve never written that before, but I do get paid to write, so I suppose I’m a “professional”, and I do write and get published quite a lot. Now I’m meant to do some stuff with…
-
Fake it ‘til you make it
—
by
As a new grad, no matter how much you are told not to worry, you can’t help being aware of what your clients, colleagues, boss, friends and family think of you – and, more specifically, your ability as a vet. Having had a bit of a setback with my first job, I’m past caring what…
-
Anal glands: the tax bill of canine anatomy
—
by
Considering the massive variety of day-to-day tasks we perform as vets (social worker, diagnostician, surgeon, diplomat and so on), it’s strange the first thing people always think of when they hear we’re vets – other than to tell us how much money we earn, evidence on our payslips to the contrary – is to fixate…
-
How to handle breeders: let battle commence
—
by
Breeders (of any species) can be some of the most challenging clients you’ll come across as a vet, and every year Crufts reminds us why. A lot of tension always ensues as interpretations of The Kennel Club’s breed standards often contrast with the opinions of vets. Despite a well-rounded veterinary education and some excellent EMS…
-
You don’t fake your appointments… do you?
—
by
Controversial statement alert: I believe every practice I’ve worked in that has an appointments system has had someone working in it who books fake appointments for the final appointment of the day/session/week. Before you all start piling on to agree, disagree or otherwise, let me explain what this is about. I am aware booking false…
-
Supporting new grads: are you up to the job?
—
by
As I discussed in my previous blog post, if you are a boss, partner or practice manager, it’s important to consider whether your practice is suitable for a new graduate, before taking one on. Perhaps you’re considering taking on a new grad for the first time, or maybe you’ve employed them before, but are struggling…