VN June 2020

Vetnews | June 2020 15 By far the most important aspect of support is communication – we’re all different, and the key to a great working relationship with a new grad is asking him or her the kind of support wanted or needed, and discussing how you can provide that. This should also be considered a fluid, flexible conversation that continues through the first few months of employment – the rate at which a new grad gains confidence and experience will vary due to individual personalities, but will also greatly depend on caseload. Never assume If your practice doesn’t see many cats, your new grad’s first cat spay might not happen for several months, and you can’t just assume having performed a lot of other surgeries, he or she will be fine to just get stuck in, when he or she may never have used a flank approach before. On the contrary, some new grads can be dangerously over- confident, and that’s where your clinical and character judgement will be vital in ensuring the safety of their patients. It can be a very delicate balancing act between pushing a new grad to improve, and not letting him or her charge in all guns blazing without the right skills. Suggestions The answer is not straightforward – no“one size fits all”newgraduate induction plan exists – but a number of areas can be considered to help your new grad settle in. I’m not suggesting you action all of them, or even that they’d all be suitable for every new grad or practice – they’re just ideas to think about. • Provide a booklet with practice protocols – for example: o vaccine protocol o neutering advice (ages) o treatment protocols for common ailments (as a starting point) o what should be included in estimates for operations • Order uniform or name badges and have them ready for the first day. It may seem trivial, but it symbolises being part of the team. Being asked 10 times a day who you are, or “are you new here?” gradually chips away at what little confidence you have as a new grad. • Have him or her spend a morning on reception to learn how to book appointments and other tasks, to get used to the computer system. • Put a nurse or receptionist in consults with the new grad to help him or her navigate charging for consults, saving notes, making up estimates and so on. • Have the new grad observe some consults or accompany other vets on call-outs to help him or her grasp how the practice runs and to introduce some of your regular clients. • Allow the new grad to pick up consults from a general list at his or her own pace. • Book out double appointments for the new grad initially, then shorten these as he or she gets more confident – and, therefore, faster. • Always have a more experienced vet available (in the prep room, perhaps) to answer those quick questions while the new grad is consulting. He or she need not be twiddling his or her thumbs, but, if performing procedures, ensure your newgrad knows he or she can pop in and ask without feeling like an inconvenience. Getting that all-important expert opinion (Photo by 272447 from Pixabay) Order a SAVA name badge before the new graduate starts work to help her/him feel part of the team Article Should you employ a new gard <<< 14 >>> 16