In this episode of The Business of Practice podcast, Christine Staten, DVM, MBA, explained how she implemented performance-based compensation at her mixed animal practice.
Staten became interested in this system when she realized her team’s compensation was essentially random. So, she developed a skills-based tier system with transparent pay and a clear path for advancement. “Any change is scary for everyone,” she cautioned. She asked for input from her team as she created drafts of the tiers, especially from those who were opposed to the change.
“Each tier has soft skills, hard skills, and knowledge,” she explained. The soft skills are observed or tested by role playing. Hard skills include placing IV catheters or doing medical math. When Staten rolled out the program, every staff member started at the lowest tier and moved up through the system, though they didn’t lose their current wage level. Once team members achieve a new level, they typically must stay there for a year before they can advance again.
Building the program, with skills and tests for every tier, is time-consuming, but the benefits are huge, she said. Having a transparent scale for increasing compensation is motivating and engages employees. In closing, Staten said everyone on the team must be “a learner, a grower, a teacher, and a trainer.”
If you’d like to learn more about Staten’s performance-based compensation system, reference her presentation from the 2025 AAEP Convention in Denver or contact her through her website: https://www.veterinary-mba.com/.
About Dr. Christine Staten
Christine Staten, DVM, MBA, earned her veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1999 and her master or business administration degree from Louisiana State University in 2023. She is a large animal veterinarian, the owner of a mixed-animal practice with two locations, and a practice consultant. She is dedicated to nurturing the next generation through mentorship programs for veterinary students and new graduates, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the veterinary field.
Related Reading
- How to Institute Performance-Based Compensation in Your Equine Practice
- How To Have a Conversation About Compensation and Benefits in Equine Practice
- The Business of Practice: Compensation for Equine Veterinary Associates
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