In this episode of The Business of Practice podcast, Kelly Zeytoonian, DVM, MBA, discussed the challenges of hiring an associate as a busy solo equine practitioner and the workload required to support additional help.
To financially support the new hire, Zeytoonian suggested growing the practice and generating more revenue. She shared the amount of additional revenue needed to break even based on the average salary for practitioners and new graduates. If your practice is not yet ready to hire a full-time associate, she recommended hiring a registered veterinary technician as an in-between step.
Zeytoonian then discussed hiring strategies, emphasizing the importance of offering competitive packages to attract talent, including benefits such as continuing education stipends, state licensing fees, AAEP and state VMA memberships, health insurance, retirement contributions, and even signing bonuses, housing assistance, and educational loan repayment. She emphasized the value of paid maternity leave and flexible post-maternity leave arrangements in attracting candidates. She also recommended job seekers use the helpful Benefits Worksheet created by the AAEP Commission on Veterinary Sustainability’s Compensation Subcommittee to compare the total package value of different job offers, including salary and other benefits.
Zeytoonian described the challenges associated with the onboarding process and strategies for success. She emphasized the importance of setting clear client boundaries and protocols and recommended hiring an experienced technician to assist with appointments. Zeytoonian suggested offering clients specific days for appointments with different doctors. The practice owner should provide the new hire with a framework to follow, and they should encourage clients to book appointments with them. She also stressed the importance of supporting the new associate’s decision-making and showing confidence in their abilities.
About Dr. Kelly Zeytoonian
Kelly Zeytoonian, DVM, MBA, earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. She served as a co-chair of the AAEP Commission on Veterinary Sustainability’s Practice Culture Subcommittee and is also a cofounder of the Sustainability in Equine Practice Seminars. Zeytoonian established an equine ambulatory practice in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2013 and has since grown the business to include six doctors and two locations. She completed her MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business in 2020. Now, she uses her experience in veterinary medicine and business administration to empower veterinarians and technicians to create or maintain a career and culture tailored to their individual needs.
Related Reading
- The Business of Practice: Emergency-Only Practice Model
- The Business of Practice: Building Healthy Veterinary Internship Programs
- The Business of Practice: Building Confidence in Entry-Level Veterinarians
Stay in the know! Sign up for EquiManagement’s FREE weekly newsletters to get the latest equine research, disease alerts, and vet practice updates delivered straight to your inbox.
