Veterinary clinics depend on exceptional employees to become and remain successful. But keeping your team together though conflict can be tough, especially since the veterinary turnover rate is double that of other industries. Since competition between clinics is also at an all-time high, it’s crucial to focus on staff retention strategies if you want to keep your team engaged over time. Here are our top 5 tips for attracting and retaining staff at your veterinary practice.

Creating a positive work environment is essential for any business, and veterinary clinics are no exception. While this may look different from one practice to another, the most successful clinics tend to follow similar patterns. For instance, we generally see them recognize accomplishments, prioritize communication, and empower their teams through ongoing education, mentorship, and clear expectations. 

To support staff retention, always ensure employees feel valued and appreciated, and we encourage senior staff to lead by example. Make sure your workplace is welcoming, supportive, and inclusive of all individuals regardless of age or personality. Promote collaboration among team members, encourage genuine feedback, and create a culture of mutual respect to foster an atmosphere where everyone feels they belong.

Remember that positive communication is a cornerstone of any positive work environment. All staff members must be held to the same standard, and we recommend establishing a formal communication policy to avoid any issues. Consider including it in your employee handbook and reviewing it annually or during your onboarding process.

Showing gratitude for employees’ hard work can go a long way toward keeping them engaged and motivated. We recommend always giving staff members positive feedback whenever they do something well. This will make them feel seen and appreciated, promoting higher overall job satisfaction and performance.

Taking the time to acknowledge individual successes will demonstrate appreciation for each team member's contributions. Keep in mind that even unexpected challenges can provide excellent opportunities to skillfully adapt to adversity. By consistently recognizing outstanding team members both publicly and privately, your clinic can create an environment dedicated to its own growth and development no matter what.

After a positive workplace culture, benefits packages and competitive salaries are some of the most valuable incentives for veterinary staff. Making sure salaries are competitive with other practices in the area can attract new local talent and encourage distant prospects to relocate.

Higher wages will also help to retain existing employees who may be looking for opportunities elsewhere. Plus, if low wages are contributing to high turnover, then increasing payroll may actually be cheaper than hiring new employees. Consider reevaluating your policies for employee health insurance, paid vacation time, and retirement plans to kickstart your clinic’s staff retention program.

Continuing education provides veterinarians with the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Learning new skills and cutting-edge techniques can encourage them to improve their practice methods, provide better advice to their clients, and become more competent overall. It’s also a reliable way to increase their self-confidence and guard against symptoms of imposter syndrome.

Additionally, attending courses and seminars introduces veterinarians to the latest trends and research. This can empower them to see things from different perspectives and develop a broader understanding of the industry. Continuing education is one of the best ways for vets to learn about recent advances while also improving their emotional resilience, honing their social skills, and sharpening their problem-solving abilities.

Consistent feedback from staff members is invaluable for veterinary clinics. Inviting honest responses will allow you to identify potential areas for improvement and show your team that their opinions are welcome. This quality is also one of the clearest indicators of a positive, engaging work environment. 

Every team member should feel like the leadership team makes time to hear, acknowledge, and act on their concerns. If an issue is brought up, then the leadership team needs to take action or investigate options to remedy the concern before reporting back to the employee. If a reasonable solution can’t be found, then the concerned team member deserves an explanation.

Genuine feedback about staff retention programs will also provide insights into your team’s preferences and working conditions. Consider promoting honest feedback through comment boxes, anonymous surveys, and open conversations between departments. It may even be worth implementing a formal feedback policy to make clear how responses should be shared with others.

Successful veterinary clinics and managers understand the value of staff retention strategies. They gladly step up to reduce high turnover by creating a positive work environment, recognizing employees’ efforts, offering competitive benefits, and providing endless opportunities for feedback and professional development.

Investing in staff retention programs can ensure your clinic runs smoothly despite growing competition. If you have questions about veterinary staff retention best practices, then we hope you’ll call, email, or contact us online today. We’d be happy to sit down together and discuss how we can support your clinic’s long-term goals.