Empowering your practice manager: tips for ongoing support

Many factors contribute toward a successful veterinary clinic, especially hard-working practice managers. Overseeing operations, supporting team members, and keeping the clinic running smoothly day in and day out are the top priorities of every practice manager, and making sure they feel supported needs to continue to be a top priority for every practice owner. Here’s a key few ways you can support your practice manager to empower them to do their absolute best with the least amount of stress.

1. Be transparent with your practice manager through clear communication and expectations

• Define roles and responsibilities: A good place to start is by clearly outlining the responsibilities and expectations of your practice manager, which will help to foster a trustworthy and transparent relationship from the beginning. By clearly setting expectations, practice managers can focus more on key responsibilities without confusing their duties or not knowing if they’re responsible for certain tasks.
• Regular check-ins: Keep your entire team aligned by scheduling consistent meetings with your staff, and especially with your practice manager. Use this time to discuss individual and collective goals, any operational challenges the practice manager is facing, and their professional progress and development. These sessions help practice managers remain on the same page as their colleagues while giving them a positive space to talk through any concerns they may have.
• Open communication: You can create and maintain an inviting clinic environment and healthy workplace culture by ensuring open and honest dialogue for all your staff members. Trust is imperative for practice managers; if your practice manager feels comfortable addressing issues, you’ll foster a stronger sense of teamwork and problem-solving for everyone at your veterinary practice.

2. Provide different professional development opportunities for your practice manager

• Continuous education: Support your practice manager’s career growth by offering opportunities to attend conferences, watch webinars, or participate in professional workshops. You can improve the skills and expertise of your practice manager simply by keeping them informed with the industry’s latest trends and statistics.
• Ongoing mentorships: Connect your practice manager with professionals who can guide them throughout their careers and share their many years of experiences with them. Mentorships are great networking opportunities that can help practice managers better navigate complex challenges, and ultimately grow as leaders in the field.
• Leadership training: Take the time to invest in leadership programs to enhance your practice manager’s skills. Offering leadership training lets them better lead their team and manage operations more effectively, leading to improved veterinary care and higher clinic success.

3. Equip your practice manager with empowerment and autonomy

• Delegate tasks: Free your practice manager from any operational restraints by allowing them to make decisions and delegate daily tasks on their own. Letting your practice manager use their best judgment will show them how much trust and confidence you have in them, which in turn will motivate your manager to ensure the overall success of the clinic even more.
• Shout out achievements: Regularly acknowledging your practice manager’s contributions goes a long way in showing your support for them throughout their career. No matter if it’s big or small, be sure to celebrate every personal and professional win to make them feel genuinely appreciated at all times.
• Provide feedback: Constructive criticism is extremely important for growth, especially for your practice manager. You can proactively offer insights on areas they can improve while also encouraging their strengths, providing them with the perfect amount of input to help them grow in their leadership role.

4. Assure a steady work-life balance at your veterinary clinic

• Flexible work arrangements: You can promote a positive work environment that reinforces both personal and professional success for every practice manager by offering flexible work options, like working remotely or letting them adjust their work hours. This is especially important if a personal situation requires it, and will provide a healthy balance that helps prevent burnout and increase job satisfaction.
• Time off: Make your practice managers feel valued in and out of the clinic by encouraging them to take time off as much as they need to. Regular breaks can recharge their energy, reducing stress and maintaining productivity.
• Health resources: Provide your practice manager with access to stress management resources such as wellness programs or stress management tools. This will show your practice manager that you truly care for their mental health and well-being, creating a strong bond for even stronger veterinary care.

5. Reward your practice manager with competitive compensation and benefits

• Fair compensation: Make sure that your practice manager is paid fairly, and that their salary reflects their hard work and dedication. Competitive pay will keep your practice manager concentrated on their work while worrying less about financial factors.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Put a well-rounded benefits package in place for your practice manager, and be sure to include health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off where possible. All of these are critical in supporting personal and professional health, not only helping you retain talented practice managers but also keep them motivated.

Give your veterinary team the best tools for the most efficiency

• Messaging apps: Implement real-time communication apps so that updates can be made quickly and questions addressed easily, enhancing your team’s internal collaboration.
• Scheduling software: Get software that allows for pet owners to book online without errors while integrating with staff calendars. This technology lets you automatically send appointment reminders to reduce your rate of no-shows, keeping pet health journeys on track along with your clinic’s revenue.
• Payment software: Use veterinary billing software that generates invoices and manages payments efficiently, allowing your practice manager to focus on more strategic tasks. Pet owners can even use this software to pay remotely from their mobile devices instead of crowding your busy clinic at checkout!

Practice managers do a lot to ensure the clinic’s success, so it’s important to do your part in providing them with the strategic support and regular recognition they deserve for their efforts. It’s simple: when practice managers succeed, veterinary clinics succeed. From clear expectations and development opportunities to a healthy work-life balance and fair pay, you can make sure your practice manager maintains their veterinary momentum no matter what.