Working in the veterinary field has its challenges. Passion for the job enables employees to overcome its obstacles.
Working in the veterinary field has its challenges. Passion for the job enables employees to overcome its obstacles.
Working in the veterinary field has its challenges. Passion for the job enables employees to overcome its obstacles.
However, despite this passion, staff turnover continues to be a major problem for veterinary clinic owners.
This has been shown to be the biggest expense for veterinary clinics (Pownall, 2018). Surprisingly, the highest percentage of turnover comes not from veterinarians themselves, but from other members of the professional body. (Zimlich, 2008).
There are, of course, many reasons why an employee might feel uncomfortable in his or her role. In the past, I’ve used a simple technique to overcome anxiety and stress “ When you feel anxious about a situation, write down everything that worries you, then cross out the things you have no control over and focus on the things you can change (Niilo, 2022). The clinic environment plays a very important role in staff behavior. For various reasons, it is sometimes impossible to modify certain premises. The integration of new equipment such as cages and examination tables can make all the difference to the employee when it comes to daily tasks.
However, despite this passion, staff turnover continues to be a major problem for veterinary clinic owners.
This has been shown to be the biggest expense for veterinary clinics (Pownall, 2018). Surprisingly, the highest percentage of turnover comes not from veterinarians themselves, but from other members of the professional body. (Zimlich, 2008).
There are, of course, many reasons why an employee might feel uncomfortable in his or her role. In the past, I’ve used a simple technique to overcome anxiety and stress “ When you feel anxious about a situation, write down everything that worries you, then cross out the things you have no control over and focus on the things you can change (Niilo, 2022). The clinic environment plays a very important role in staff behavior. For various reasons, it is sometimes impossible to modify certain premises. The integration of new equipment such as cages and examination tables can make all the difference to the employee when it comes to daily tasks.
However, despite this passion, staff turnover continues to be a major problem for veterinary clinic owners.
This has been shown to be the biggest expense for veterinary clinics (Pownall, 2018). Surprisingly, the highest percentage of turnover comes not from veterinarians themselves, but from other members of the professional body. (Zimlich, 2008).
There are, of course, many reasons why an employee might feel uncomfortable in his or her role. In the past, I’ve used a simple technique to overcome anxiety and stress “ When you feel anxious about a situation, write down everything that worries you, then cross out the things you have no control over and focus on the things you can change (Niilo, 2022). The clinic environment plays a very important role in staff behavior. For various reasons, it is sometimes impossible to modify certain premises. The integration of new equipment such as cages and examination tables can make all the difference to the employee when it comes to daily tasks.
Then working in an old clinic, I have a clear and precise memory of the corner of the shelf on which I was constantly banging my head.
Of course, the management told us “we have big plans to renovate the clinic soon! Soon, unfortunately, it was too late for some of the staff, myself included. Working in a clinic is a physically demanding job, so it’s impossible to perform at your best when you’re injured. New equipment reduces the percentage of potential workplace injuries and makes the workplace safer (Gerneral Kinetics, n.d.).
For example, an examination table that folds up from the floor means that heavy dogs can’t be picked up, eliminating many back problems. I know a lot of vets who avoid placing large dogs on examination tables. They examine them on the floor, which also puts a lot of pressure on their backs.
With Covid-19 hitting the world, we’re having to spend a lot more time cleaning up.
This means employees have less time for other tasks. Stainless steel examination tables and cages are easier to clean and maintain, reducing the spread of the virus between staff and patients. For example, Vétérinov products offer a biosafety standard that reduces the spread of viruses such as Parvo, and are easy to clean and maintain, enabling staff to do their jobs quickly and efficiently (Vétérinov, 2021).
What’s more, by investing in new equipment, less money is spent on maintaining or repairing old equipment such as old tables or cage doors that no longer close. All these problems may seem minor for a large clinic, but they add up, so staff have less time for customer care and helping patients. We’re all familiar with the expression “But in a clinic, time isn’t just a question of money. The feeling of not being able to accomplish a task due to poor equipment can be extremely frustrating, and could even be the last straw for that person.
With Covid-19 hitting the world, we’re having to spend a lot more time cleaning up.
This means employees have less time for other tasks. Stainless steel examination tables and cages are easier to clean and maintain, reducing the spread of the virus between staff and patients. For example, Vétérinov products offer a biosafety standard that reduces the spread of viruses such as Parvo, and are easy to clean and maintain, enabling staff to do their jobs quickly and efficiently (Vétérinov, 2021).
What’s more, by investing in new equipment, less money is spent on maintaining or repairing old equipment such as old tables or cage doors that no longer close. All these problems may seem minor for a large clinic, but they add up, so staff have less time for customer care and helping patients. We’re all familiar with the expression “But in a clinic, time isn’t just a question of money. The feeling of not being able to accomplish a task due to poor equipment can be extremely frustrating, and could even be the last straw for that person.
Mental Health, it’s important for me to address this point last in the article, because I think it’s the most important.
The past year has seen a number of movements focusing on the importance of mental health in the veterinary industry. Improving morale is difficult in the workplace, especially when socialization is limited due to Covid. Investing in new equipment may seem superficial, but it has been shown to boost morale and overall work ethic (Interiors, 2020).
More mental health support groups need to be set up, and vets need to discuss the difficulties of the profession and the reality of the field. However, when it comes to staff turnover, a new cage configuration could be just what you need to keep your staff motivated and happy to work in your clinic.
Mental Health, it’s important for me to address this point last in the article, because I think it’s the most important.
The past year has seen a number of movements focusing on the importance of mental health in the veterinary industry. Improving morale is difficult in the workplace, especially when socialization is limited due to Covid. Investing in new equipment may seem superficial, but it has been shown to boost morale and overall work ethic (Interiors, 2020).
More mental health support groups need to be set up, and vets need to discuss the difficulties of the profession and the reality of the field. However, when it comes to staff turnover, a new cage configuration could be just what you need to keep your staff motivated and happy to work in your clinic.
Mental Health, it’s important for me to address this point last in the article, because I think it’s the most important.
The past year has seen a number of movements focusing on the importance of mental health in the veterinary industry. Improving morale is difficult in the workplace, especially when socialization is limited due to Covid. Investing in new equipment may seem superficial, but it has been shown to boost morale and overall work ethic (Interiors, 2020).
More mental health support groups need to be set up, and vets need to discuss the difficulties of the profession and the reality of the field. However, when it comes to staff turnover, a new cage configuration could be just what you need to keep your staff motivated and happy to work in your clinic.
Making your clinic a pleasant place to work is a global investment not only for the clinic but also for all employees.
Staff turnover not only means losing an important part of the clinic, but also the financial burden of training someone new.
Anticipate staff turnover by asking your team questions – what do they want/need?
Making your clinic a pleasant place to work is a global investment not only for the clinic but also for all employees.
Staff turnover not only means losing an important part of the clinic, but also the financial burden of training someone new.
Anticipate staff turnover by asking your team questions – what do they want/need?
Making your clinic a pleasant place to work is a global investment not only for the clinic but also for all employees.
Staff turnover not only means losing an important part of the clinic, but also the financial burden of training someone new.
Anticipate staff turnover by asking your team questions – what do they want/need?
Retention is key, and sometimes that means something simple to make work easier, like a new examination table or a better cage configuration. Even brand-new clinics have problems, but staff injuries, time lost repairing and maintaining old, dilapidated equipment, and difficulty completing a task are fairly rare irritants.
Remember: focus on the problems you can control, not on what you can’t.
Retention is key, and sometimes that means something simple to make work easier, like a new examination table or a better cage configuration. Even brand-new clinics have problems, but staff injuries, time lost repairing and maintaining old, dilapidated equipment, and difficulty completing a task are fairly rare irritants.
Remember: focus on the problems you can control, not on what you can’t.
References:
1. Rebecca Rose, R.R. (2021) Does your practice have a turnover problem? https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2021-04/does-your-practice-have-a-turnover-problem/
2. Rachael Zimlich, R.Z.(2008) Tackling turnover. https://www.dvm360.com/view/tackling-turnover
3. Mike Pownall DVM MBA, M.P. (2018) The High Cost of Employee Turnover in a Veterinary Clinic. http://www.veterinarybusinessmatters.com/2018/07/19/the-high-cost-of-employee-turnover-veterinary-clinic/
4. Karl Niilo (2022). 30 Second Trick For STRONGER Mentality.(Jan 2022). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI3mZancFE8 (Accessed on Dec 2021).
5. Veterinov (n.d) Kennel Run. : https://veterinov.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Kennel_veterinov_brochurePromo21_EN_1.pdf
6. General Kinetics (n.d.) How safer equipment reduces employee turnover. https://www.generalkinematics.com/blog/how-safer-equipment-reduces-employee-turnover/
7. Key Interiors (2020). How an office renovation boosts employee morale. https://www.keyinteriors.us/blog/how-an-office-renovation-boosts-employee-morale/
Digital references:
Photo by Marissa-Grootes – Unsplash
2022 – Article by
Catherine Siouffi-Pearce
Animal Health Consultant
