iM3 – Where it’s always Dental Month!
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Email: sales@im3vet.com
Visit: www.im3vet.com.au/home-care
Email: sales@im3vet.com
Kookaburra recently completed a small online survey of vets and vet nurses. We asked “Do you think you are paid appropriately considering the work that you do?”, to try to ascertain the general satisfaction with wage rates in the profession.
We received 398 responses, and 91.2% of respondents felt they were underpaid.
This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.
Although this article was written for new Veterinary Graduates, and first published in the Kookaburra Veterinary Employment new graduate job newsletter, the general points covered are equally applicable to experienced vets.
Initial contact depends on the job advert – if it asks for applications in writing then don’t phone up. If you are happy to chat on the phone, then this is a great way to find out more about a clinic. If you prefer to send your CV first then that is fine.
Include:
You can email, post, or fax these. A cover letter should say why you’re sending your CV, and include for example:
If the ad gives a phone number then phone the clinic first to find out if the job is still available, and to ask if you can send your details through.
Follow-up is really important. Vet Clinics are busy places, and Vets are notoriously unorganised. Your CV may sit on, or even worse, at the bottom of a pile of papers waiting for a “paperwork day”. Don’t assume that just because you haven’t heard anything, they’re not interested. Kookaburra Veterinary Employment receives many calls from clinics where they have mistakenly deleted emails (or they’ve gone to spam), mislaid paperwork, and lost the bit of paper with a vital phone number and name.
It’s important to have a face to face interview if possible. Not only does the clinic need to evaluate you, you need to evaluate the clinic – see whether it’s up to date, does it run smoothly, meet the vets and the nurses and see if you’ll be able to get on with them ok, do they allow enough time to meet you properly and show you around. It’s best to spend half a day, or even a full day at the clinic. If it’s a mixed practice, take your protective clothing along so you can go on calls if necessary.
Be on time and look smart!
You shouldn’t just have a ½ hour interview – the clinic may feel they are able to make a snap judgement about you in that time, but they may get a false impression, and you certainly can’t get a good impression of them in that time. If that is what they offer, ask if you can spend the rest of the day at the clinic anyway.
Many clinics will pay your accommodation and travel expenses if necessary for an interview, within Australia.
Practice your interview technique with your family and friends – don’t use clinics to get interview experience. Only accept interview opportunities if you are really serious about your job application.
Make sure you do some research about the clinic or company that you are applying for a job with. Look them up online; check out their website, opening hours, Facebook page, Instagram account. They’re probably going to be looking you up! Phone the clinic and chat to the receptionist or the vet nurse who answers the phone, or ask if you can contact any current employees, or the employee who is leaving. In addition, check out the local area if you’re anticipating relocating. Look up clubs, sports facilities, schools, recreational opportunities, & real estate.
Too many new graduates take a job, and then leave in under 12 months. You must make sure that it is the type of clinic that you would feel happy working in, and that you will get the support necessary to kick start your career.
At some point in your interview, you may be asked what your salary expectations are, or alternatively, it may be important for you to ask what the salary on offer is. Some employers may turn the question around and ask what you’re making now. If you don’t expect the question, you may have an awkward moment. Do as much research as you can so that you’re prepared. The Animal Care and Veterinary Services Award 2010 [MA000118] sets minimum hourly rates. New graduate salaries often stay close to the Award. Kookaburra Veterinary Employment’s 2019 Salary Survey is published at https://www.vetsuppliersdirectory.com.au/2019-salary-survey-results-part-1/
You could say something like “according to my research, my understanding is that $60-70K per year is typical based on the role and requirements” or if you want to delay answering, “I’m more interested in finding a position that’s a good fit for my skills and interests. Could we talk about salary once I’ve heard more about the job on offer?”. Be honest; be realistic, and don’t sell yourself short. It’s also important to look beyond the Salary figure – look at any additional benefits such as training & bonuses. If you think you’re currently being underpaid, let them know what you’re being paid at the moment, but that you know from research that other vets are getting a certain amount at this level, and why you believe that you are worth it.
If you are offered a job, you don’t have to accept immediately – it’s ok to let them know you have other interviews and wait to see what else you are offered. However, please keep the surgeries up to date with your plans and if you are going to turn them down, tell them so. It is not good practice to accept a job, and then continue to attend other interviews in the hope of getting a ‘better’ job – and then calling the first practice a week before you are due to start work to tell them that you won’t be turning up after all. Behaving in this way will hurt your future job prospects and your reputation.
If you accept a job, ask for a firm offer letter in writing to avoid misunderstandings. If a clinic won’t give you a firm offer or messes around, then don’t take the job! They probably wouldn’t be very good to work for.
You can also request a contract or similar document stating your conditions of work.
Don’t restrict your search to your local home area – be prepared to travel. Although new grads do need a lot of support, sometimes it can be better to move right away from home so that you can concentrate on settling in to your new job, getting to know the people you work with, joining in local activities etc.
This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.
If you run an independent veterinary practice, you will have heard about veterinary buying groups. But what are they? and how do they help?
Veterinary practices experience various challenges, particularly in the areas of profitability, staffing and mental health. As pet ownership increases so too do the demands on veterinary practices and their teams and often the rewards for owners and managers can be disproportionate to the effort that is put in. This means independent veterinary practices are having to work even harder to extract satisfaction, value and balance from their roles.
Becoming a member of a veterinary buying group offers a number of important benefits which help your practice survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
A veterinary buying group is an organisation which offers membership to practices. Becoming a member of a buying group offers access to a wide variety of benefits as it provides collective power. This enables practices of all sizes to reduce their overheads, improve their service offerings and meet the challenges of the current landscape head-on.
If we look at the value a buying group provides from a practice perspective the question morphs into ‘Whats best for my practice, my team and myself?’. If you consider the long-term goals of your practice they may be along the lines of:
Whatever your goal maybe you will find great reward (across your results, financially and intrinsically) in having access to proven business tools, a network of colleagues and a way of enhancing your financial situation without transformational change.
Savings on Costs of Goods
The most effective way to save on cost of goods is to join a buying group that provides the leverage and negotiating power similar to that of a corporate. There is power in numbers – don’t miss a huge advantage. Being a part of a buying group gives you access to preferential pricing on the goods and services you and your team use each and every day. This then frees up the demand on your cash flow and gives you the opportunity to increase your profitability and/or reinvest in your business.
Reducing your Overheads
Veterinary buying groups have the collective power of all their members’ practices behind them. This gives them the ability to forge strong relationships with leading service providers, so membership instantly gives you access to a vast and varied range of support and services.
This collective power then gives buying groups the ability to negotiate advantageous deals. The result is that you pay less for services, enabling you to reduce your overheads.
Proven Practice Strategies
There is great value to be gained from a network of colleagues and a team of industry experts who have a passion for supporting independent practices and have experience in our very situation. Not only can you save time with the ‘been there done that’ experience of a colleague you can also gain greater and faster results when you have access to proven tools and strategies, no more reinventing the wheel.
It saves you time
Becoming a veterinary buying group member helps to save time on a number of tasks involved in running a practice, including:
• Making deals with manufacturers and suppliers
• Staying informed with market insights and trends
• Researching partners and service providers
• Growing your practice in revenue and profitability
What about Membership Fees?
Many buying groups utilise membership fees to fund the support and services they provide to the practices they represent. If you’re interested in joining a buying group, find out how they are funded.
Some purely pay for themselves through membership fees and others get a portion of their money as commission from their partners. Some buying groups use a combination of the two and create other revenue streams. Before you consider a buying group make sure you know how they operate and the benefits you will receive. In many cases obtaining a benefit estimate for your practice from a group will demonstrate that the financial benefits overshadow the fees.
There’s no doubt that there are significant benefits and cost savings you can obtain from joining a buying group. The time spent looking at membership could substantially reduce your practice expenses.
What to look for in a group?
Practices should look for a group that they feel is honest and transparent. There should be an alignment of values between the practice and the group. We believe independent veterinary practices need a group that is focused to their core on offering value to independent veterinary practices which as a result allows them to practice how they wish to practice, stay independent and facilitate a feeling of satisfaction as a practice owner. Ensure you know exactly what’s in it for you financially and collaboratively.
Every business faces it’s own particular risks – that’s why we offer a tailored cover to suit business needs of those in the pet industry, no matter how big or small. Our Pet Industry Business Insurance can provide peace of mind for business owners who want to financially protect their businesses, their premises and also their personal income.
Financial protection against allegations of management misconduct or legislative breaches, plus professional indemnity, and business insurance to take care of material damage losses. These are all important considerations for managing risk in a vet practice.
Trainer / Behaviourists:
Insurance is vital when dealing with potentially badly behaving, unpredictable and even aggressive animals as you are responsible for the safety of the animals and for their actions whilst they are in your care.
Dog & Cat Breeders:
Dog and Cat breeders face a number of financial risks and having cover such as public liability is important to protect your business. Our insurance can be tailored to suit your particular business needs.
Kennels & Catteries:
Clients have very high expectations when they trust you to take care of their pets. Insurance can help ensure that your care is never compromised, and your business is secure.
Sitters, Boarding & Day Carers:
It’s a great responsibility to take care of other people’s pets. You not only need to care for the pet, but are also responsible for pet behaviour in public – and you may also be responsible for a client’s home and possessions.
Retail & E-tail:
Your Pet Business is an Important Asset that needs to be secured. We provide insurance for your premises and contents as well public liability cover.
Let us help you tailor your cover to your needs.
Working with pets means both emotional and financial responsibility. The right insurance can give you peace of mind, plus your clients will know they have chosen the right professional for the job.
Groomers:
It is vital that your dog grooming business has the right kind of public liability & professional indemnity cover in case you accidentally injure or lose an animal whilst it is in your care – or if something happens to a customer or member of the public.
FIND OUT MORE AND GET A QUICK QUOTE – visit: www.petprofessional.com.au
When you get your quote, that is what you will pay – no hidden extras and fees. Plus if you find a comparable policy at a cheaper price, that price will either be beaten or you will get a refund on the paid amount.