While role optimization in veterinary practice is highly rewarding, creating and maintaining it requires significant intention and effort. Leadership must prioritize an 'optimization culture' and ensure the infrastructure and the decisions made consistently support and reinforce expectations.
Culture Required:
A leadership commitment to role optimization and development is demonstrated in communications and actions
A culture of empowerment, collaboration, and trust
An open-door policy
Infrastructure Needed:
Clear and detailed job descriptions for each role
Protocols that establish boundaries for technical duties
Training and development programs
Adequate staffing of critical and unique roles, such as managers, credentialed technicians, and assistants.
Processes and tools for feedback and assessment
Role leveling programs to identify employee capability and advance them from beginner to expert
Communication
Proactive team meetings, huddles, and one-on-one sessions
Intentional and collaborative delegation, feedback, and recognition across all roles, including peer-to-peer
While creating a culture of optimization can be challenging for many leaders, approaching the challenge together as a team and putting forth intentional effort towards this lofty goal will always pay back abundant rewards for the team, the business, and the leader, and is well worth the effort.
