BellaVet

“Are there any other questions you have for me before you head out?

No actually, you’ve explained everything very clearly and in detail.”

This was said to me multiple times this week and it’s one of the biggest compliments I can receive.

With every sick appointment I have a big to do list walking in the door:
Greet the pet and their owners
Do an exam
Figure out the problem
Explain the problem
Offer diagnostics to find answers
Explain the value of these diagnostics
Run the diagnostics
Explain the test results and plan moving forward
Offer treatments to fix the problem
Get treatments done, medications filled and the bill finished so they can check out

And do that all within 30 minutes.

Obviously I can’t do this all alone and my techs and receptionists keep me and my patients alive during a busy day.

But this is a complicated and sometimes confusing process for pet owners. So I’m not surprised if someone is easily frustrated when they’re worrying about their sick pet, or impatient when things are “taking too long” especially if we’re short staffed.

And sometimes those feelings turn into complaints, even from the smallest miscommunication.

This week I made someone upset because I didn’t ask permission when I changed their pet’s medication from a tablet to a liquid, in order for it to be dosed more appropriately and be easier to administer. I didn’t tell them about this change, because I was trying to be efficient, so they wouldn’t have to wait as long. But, in hindsight, I should have asked.

My mind gives so much weight to the complaints, but the compliments are feather light. Even though the compliments far outnumber the complaints, sometimes it seems like the bad still outweighs the good.

So starting now, I’m making an effort to tip the scales to actively give more weight to the good, while still acknowledging the critiques to do better.

What’s one good thing you were told this week? One compliment? One win?

LETS TALK CONTRACTS (Part 1)

To all my new grads graduating next month and looking to sign their first employment contract, this one’s for you.

This time can be so exciting but also scary. It’s your first time spelling out how much you’re worth in literal words. And the worst part? You’ve never done this before. You haven’t worked as a vet yet and you don’t have a career of evidence to point to and say “this is why I’m worth what I’m asking for.”

But I hope this advice can give you the confidence you need to walk into that board room (or zoom call) and walk out with terms that you are proud of.

1)Veterinarians have never been in such high demand. You are in a place of power. You can ask for a LOT. Yes you’re a new grad, yes you need time and mentorship but the effort and resources your employer puts into you will end up being a FRACTION of the money you’ll make them. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

2)Negations are business decisions, not personal ones. Don’t get me wrong they can definitely feel personal sometimes, this is how you make a living! But try your best to understand where your future boss is coming from. They want to know what you can do for them. Try to frame all of your arguments as to why they should pay you $X as why it is a good business decision for *them* to pay you that amount, not why your need that amount.

3)Do not sign a non-compete. A non-compete is a clause where your employer can sue you if you go work for another clinic inside a certain radius from your old hospital for a certain amount of time, typically a year or more. This clause applies after you quit, no matter if you quit on good terms or not. There I said it. I hate them and I hate that I have one in my current contract. Non-competes are in my opinion unethical and can keep people in jobs that they hate or force them to move away from towns, family and friends that they love. I’ll never sign another one. But life isn’t perfect and if you do end up signing one, make sure you get a signing bonus included as *payment* for that non compete.

What questions do you have about contracts? Ask in the comments!