In a 2006 survey of veterinary practices in the Twin Cities, owners were asked about what one thing they would most like to change about their practices and the overwhelming response dealt with Human Resource problems such as those listed below. 

Owners simply don't have the time to worry about these issues and still see patients.  Something has to give and it's usually employee satisfaction or the owner's personal time.  All of our programs can be managed by VMS directly or if you prefer, we can implement the system and train you and your staff on it's use. 

Hiring:

     Jim has experience interviewing over 800 individuals for various positions in various industries.  He utilizes a Behavioral/Situational interview system that helps to get a picture of the prospective employee's personality and work ethic; not simply a laundry list of their work history. 

Termination:

     It's never easy letting an employee go.  Do you have all the necessary paperwork?  What will happen to your unemployment insurance rates?  Could you be sued for wrongful termination?  VMS will answer your questions, help to document and witness the process and make sure that your practice is protected.

Staff Meetings:

     Regular staff meetings are a crucial part of any well managed practice but finding time to prepare for them is next to impossible.  How often have you planned a staff meeting and then cancelled because you just weren't ready or didn't have the time?  VMS can provide you with meeting formats that can maximize the effectiveness of your meetings and make them easier to prepare for. 

VMS is also available to lead your meetings and handle training seminars on any number of issues.

Team Communication:

     Many practices struggle with communication breakdowns between departments as well as between individuals.  Normally the breakdown begins when a staff member has something that needs addressing and the owner or co-worker do not have time to "deal with it" right then.  By lunchtime, the issue has been forgotten completely by everyone involved, except the employee that raised the concern. 

Have your employees ever used the phrase "No one listens around here!" or "Nothing ever gets taken care of!" or "Don't bother complaining, it won't make a difference."  No matter how much you care about your team, if problems aren't addressed in some way they will become bitter and resentful.

VMS can help you with systems that ensure everyone knows how to communicate with one another as well as with the owner, everyone is kept abreast of what is happening in the clinic and no one feels "left out."

Training Programs:

     One of the most common complaints among staff members in their first six months of employment is that they were expected to know protocols and procedures that they have not been trained on.  The most common response made to this by owners and trainers alike is simply "I showed them that, they should know it!"  Without a clear and concise training program that is consistently followed, how can the owner tell if the problem is with the new hire or with the training?

VMS will set up a training system for you that addresses all areas of your practice and we will also train your trainers on how to use it effectively and consistently.

Employee Handbooks:

     Most practices use contracts to establish standards when hiring an associate veterinarian; an employee handbook is the same thing for your staff!  Fill out a simple questionnaire about your benefits packages and employment standards and VMS can produce a professional employee handbook that is fully customized with your company logo and information which you can use for years to come.

Benefit Administration:

     HSAs, Health Insurance Payments, IRA distributions, Uniform Allowances, the list never ends!  VMS can handle your benefit administration for you or, if you prefer, can help you to get organized and create systems that will make self-administration a breeze.

COBRA:

     The COBRA guidelines are long and involved, and tracking the payments can be confusing and time consuming.  Let VMS handle it for you or help you to handle it yourself.

OSHA Compliance:

     The last thing you want is an OSHA violation, but what practice owner has time to create and administer a Hazards Communications Program, MSDS files or to monitor safety practices in their clinic?  VMS can help you to reach compliance and set up safety training programs that will protect you in the event of an OSHA inspection.

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