The Power of Collaboration: Harnessing the Full Potential of Veterinary Teams

One of the core pillars of my platform as a candidate for AVMA President-Elect is building a team-based vision for veterinary practices. 🏥 I believe that when we fully utilize every member of the veterinary team—from CSRs to technicians/nurses, assistants, and practice managers—we create an environment where everyone can thrive. The best part? It’s a win for the patients, the clients, and the clinic team! 🎉

Let’s dive into how using your whole team the right way can make your practice run smoother, keep stress levels low, and help you care for more pets—without overwhelming anyone. 🐶🐱

Everyone’s Got a Role—Let’s Maximize It! 💪

In my years of experience—first as a veterinary technician and now as a veterinarian—I’ve seen how each role in a clinic is vital. When we use everyone’s skills to the fullest, the entire practice can run like a well-oiled machine. 🛠️

• CSRs (Client Service Reps): Your CSRs are the first faces your clients see, and they are crucial to creating a great first impression. Whether it’s scheduling appointments or answering client questions, they keep everything flowing smoothly and make clients feel welcome. 🌟
• Veterinary Technicians/Nurses and Assistants: These team members are your clinic’s superheroes. 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️ They can handle blood draws, give medications, help with procedures, and even educate clients on routine care. Using their skills means the veterinarian can focus on what only a vet can do—like diagnosis and surgery—without getting bogged down by other technical tasks.
• Practice Managers: The behind-the-scenes champions! 🏆 They manage staff schedules, handle finances, and make sure the clinic’s operations are running smoothly. They’re often the glue that holds the whole place together. 🧩

A Real-Life Example: How a Small Clinic Thrives with Teamwork 🏥

Let me tell you about a super-efficient clinic I worked at in rural Arizona—Advanced Animal Care. As a single doctor with 10 to 12 staff members in a five-exam-room facility I was able to meet the needs of so many patients. How do they manage to see so many patients and keep everything running smoothly? It’s all about teamwork. 💼👩‍⚕️

Here’s the breakdown of how they do it:

• Up front, the CSRs are the first point of contact, handling check-ins, medication refills, and phone calls. They make sure everything flows smoothly and keep the client experience positive. ✨
• In the treatment area, technicians and assistants are crushing it. 💥 They manage patient appointments, monitor hospitalized pets, and handle routine tasks like nail trims and blood draws. But here’s the kicker—they also take the lead on care plans and pricing with the clients! This frees up the veterinarian to focus on exams and diagnostics, while the team handles most of the client interactions and treatment planning. Talk about a well-oiled machine! 🏎️
• Meanwhile, the veterinarian is moving between three or four exam rooms per hour! That’s right—one doctor is able to handle several patients at once because the team has staggered appointments, so the next client and patient are always prepped and ready when the veterinarian finishes a patient exam. This setup allowed me to focus on what matters most—diagnosis, treatment, and surgery—while the support staff handles the rest.

By using this system, the clinic maximizes everyone’s skills. The techs and assistants lead client communication, handle treatments, and help the veterinarian focus on what only they can do. The end result? More pets cared for, happier clients, and a less stressed-out team. 🐾✨

Why This Matters 💡

A team-based approach isn’t just good for efficiency—it’s good for morale! When every member of the team is empowered to do what they do best, they feel valued and engaged. And when the whole team is firing on all cylinders, you can serve more patients, give better care, and still leave everyone feeling less stressed at the end of the day. 🌟

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s unlock the full potential of your veterinary team and create a practice that’s efficient, fun, and client-friendly. 💪🐾