I know pretty much everyone is looking to add additional doctors. I was reviewing this week’s Brakke Animal Health News & Notes (if you don’t subscribe, I recommend it, great for industry news) and VIN, VBMA & VIN Foundation did a study on how the pandemic is affecting the Class of 2020 that had just graduated as well as the Class of 2021. I’ll share a link to the study, but this jumped off the page at me-
With classes graduating in May and less than 2 months later and 88% either signed of verbally committed to a job, that leaves only 12% available! I know it’s pretty popular to publish job ads in JAVMA, Indeed/Monster/online job sites, but as this becomes more competitive, I think practice owners looking for associates are going to need to start thinking outside the box, and I came up with a few ideas-
*Participate in your alma mater’s career day/job fair (I know I’ve recommended this to a few of you); with the limited number of veterinary schools in the U.S., each school is bound to have students from NJ/NY/PA that might be looking for a job, or willing to relocate for the right fit!
*Consider your current offer- paid time off, mentorship, work life balance & CE are about equally important to the more recent classes that have graduated as financial compensation
*Draft your classified ad with what makes your practice unique in mind. Here’s what I mean- this is a sample I just pulled off of the AVMA site:
“XXXX Animal Hospital is xxx states’ premier full service veterinary hospital. Our modern two doctor practice offers a wide variety of cutting edge medical, surgical, and dental treatment options to a loyal and compliant clientele. Our doctors enjoy the support of a cohesively trained, cheerful staff, and a sustainable work-life balance. New graduates are encouraged to apply, as our tenured veterinarians are able to provide thoughtful and thorough mentorship.
About the hospital:
- Fully equipped surgical suite, offering a variety of soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries
- Ultrasound and Echocardiogram capability
- Digital radiology including dental
- Reproductive services
- Full service boarding, grooming, and daycare”
A large majority of job ads look like this. If you’re a new grad scanning the ads, what is going to make you click on this application versus another? In 2020, it’s no longer uncommon to have the cutting edge in house laboratory, surgical suite, or digital imaging, if you want applicants to notice your ad, the ad needs to reflect what’s special about your practice.
Compare the above ad to this one-
“We are seeking an associate Veterinarian for our rapidly growing, family owned and operated small animal hospital located in Central xxx. Full or part time hours are available. We believe in individualized and compassionate care at reasonable prices. There are no corporate sales quotas to meet. In addition to a well-trained support staff, we offer a state of the art, complete in house Idexx laboratory, digital radiographs, digital dental radiographs, a therapeutic laser and ultrasound.
We work within our comfort level in a collegial and friendly work environment. No one is left alone until they are comfortable to work by themselves. Surgeries are scheduled based on experience. We offer flexible exam room appointment slots until the successful candidate feels comfortable. Work load is shared. Mentorship is offered from the owner who has over 28 years experience as a small animal practitioner. We learn from each other.
Quality of life is encouraged. Each doctor works about 35-45 hours per week, which includes a day and a half off per week and every other weekend. There are no after hour emergencies. We refer and have access to a large network of specialty hospitals. Continuing education is encouraged. The successful candidate will receive a continuing education stipend and a paid week off to attend a conference, in addition to two weeks off per year. All licenses will be paid for. Buy in/partnership is available to the right candidate.”
Notice the difference? Some buzzwords that will definitely catch the eye of a majority of the millennial new grads include: “family owned and operated” “individualized and compassionate care” “shared work load” “mentorship” “learn from each other” ”quality of life” “continuing education”
Most clinics I was visiting pre-COVID were looking for associates and as animal shelters have been emptying with more people adopting pets, this has no doubt only increased your workload and thus really enhanced the need for additional doctors. That being said, anything I can do to help you get properly staffed is of the utmost importance just as making sure you get the proper supplies and equipment?
The article for the survey I found this info is: https://vinfoundation.org/covid-19-veterinary-student-classes-2020-2021-impact-survey/
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