I. Leadership (exam weight 18%)
- Provide strong leadership, guidance, and mentorship to subordinate staff.
- Alter leadership style to suit the needs of the situation.
- Provide feedback regarding staff needs to senior leadership.
- Implement policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures.
- Foster effective communication among hospital departments.
- Ensure alignment with the hospital's mission and vision.
- Apply critical thinking and problem solving to drive solutions to unique hospital issues.
- Lead staff meetings.
- Facilitate the roll-out of policies and procedures.
II. Administrative Management/Daily Operations & Organization of Practice (exam weight 32%)
A. Administrative Management/Daily Operations
- Participate in the daily administrative operations of the veterinary hospital.
- Assign tasks and delegate responsibilities.
- Coordinate staff scheduling.
- Coordinate scheduling, appointments, procedures, and flow of clients.
- Provide feedback and assist senior leadership to increase the ability of the hospital to meet client needs based on available equipment, supplies, and staff.
- Manage the front desk and reception area, ensuring a welcoming environment.
- Monitor wait times and patient flow to maintain efficiency.
- Handle phone calls, emails, and other forms of communication with clients or staff.
- Ensure records are up-to-date and accurate, including medical records, client information, and financial data.
- Participate in resolving operational issues or concerns that arise.
B. Inventory
- Ensure the availability of necessary supplies for smooth hospital operations and report needs to the appropriate staff.
C. Equipment & Maintenance
- Establish protocols for daily facility maintenance.
- Address any facility-related issues promptly and effectively.
- Ensure a clean, safe, and comfortable environment for patients, clients, and staff.
- Identify appropriate documentation of regulatory compliance of facility equipment.
D. Crisis and Emergency Management
- Execute emergency response plans.
- Communicate to staff during critical situations.
E. Technology Systems and Policies
- Ensure the security and confidentiality of electronic records and data.
- Train staff on the effective use of all software and systems.
F. Operational Efficiency/Continuous Improvement
- Participate in optimization of hospital operations and workflows.
- Participate in implementation of new systems, workflows, or protocols to enhance practice operations.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and operational efficiency.
- Streamline administrative and clinical processes.
- Collaborate with department heads to ensure smooth operations.
G. Quality Assurance
- Monitor quality standards within the hospital and recommend changes.
- Implement quality assurance programs and performance indicators.
- Demonstrate awareness of veterinary regulations and licensing requirements.
- Demonstrate awareness of veterinary industry trends and best practices.
- Encourage ongoing education for staff members.
III. Human Resources, Staff Management, and Communication (exam weight 19%)
- Participate in recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of support staff.
- Assist in staff training and professional development.
- Assist in employee performance reviews of support staff, provide feedback, and address issues.
- Communicate staff concerns and facilitate disputes/conflict resolution.
- Engage in regular communication with veterinarians and staff regarding hospital policies and procedures.
- Act as a liaison between hospital senior management and staff.
- Assist in discipline/discharge of employees.
- Monitor and report staff continuing education and licensure/certification requirements.
- Demonstrate understanding and respect for employee confidentiality.
IV. Law & Ethics(exam weight 10%)
A. Regulatory Agencies, Laws, and Compliance
- Demonstrate understanding the establishment of the Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR).
- Demonstrate understanding of concepts within safety laws and how they impact veterinary practice operations.
- Monitor hospital violations/dangerous situations.
- Document/report accidents, file appropriate reports.
- Implement and enforce policies and procedures that impact patient, client, and staff safety.
- Awareness of regulations for controlled substances.
B. Ethics
- Demonstrate understanding of the VHMA code of ethics.
- Demonstrates familiarity with concepts surrounding Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B).
C. Employment/Labor Law
- Demonstrates familiarity with concepts surrounding hostile environment and discrimination laws.
- Demonstrates familiarity with concepts surrounding sexual harassment laws.
- Demonstrates familiarity with concepts surrounding labor laws.
- Demonstrates familiarity with concepts surrounding personnel selection and management laws.
- Demonstrates familiarity with concepts surrounding employee and consumer privacy laws.
D. Confidentiality
- Awareness of staff records confidentiality requirements.
- Control client confidentiality requests & requirements.
V. Marketing (exam weight 9%)
A. Internal/External Marketing and Public Relations
- Assist with advertising initiatives & strategies (e.g., website, blogs, social media, welcome bags, brochures, third party payment options, new clients, client retention).
B. Client Services
- Handle client complaints.
- Respond to client questions.
- Obtain/report client feedback on service.
- Develop and manage client reminder system.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with clients.
- Ensure exceptional customer service and client satisfaction.
VI. Financial (exam weight 12%)
- Demonstrate understanding of basic financial concepts.
- Demonstrate understanding of basic budgeting concepts.
- Manage invoice accuracy.
- Coordinate with accounting for financial reporting.
- Manage timecards and adjustments.
- Demonstrate awareness of payroll costs and adjusting scheduling accordingly.
- Process client transactions and billing.
- Establish and enforce client credit policies.
- Provide feedback to leadership on fees and fee schedule.
- Reconcile daily transactions.
- Suggest improvements for strategies to optimize revenue and control expenses.
- Communicate to staff how actions impact practice financially.