I recently read a blog published by a veterinarian where she praised her veterinary technicians and how her technicians and other support staff helped her to achieve excellence in her career. She went on in her story to say how all the people in her support group have helped her achieve her career goals and her desire to feel fulfilled in her daily contributions to veterinary medicine. I found myself thinking about all the veterinary technicians, kennel staff, answering service personnel, administrative staff, students, and colleagues whom I have worked with over the years. I have met many different people with different perspectives, different backgrounds, and different job descriptions, but all had a desire to be involved in veterinary medicine in some capacity. How have I managed to be so lucky to have worked with so many great people over my career?
It seems that today’s work force is expected to do more with less and workload is increasing with a seemingly unlimited ceiling. Veterinary medicine, regardless of which area of the profession you are involved with, is not immune to such workload pressures. Personnel are the most valuable asset of any organization regardless of job description, ie, veterinary technician, administrative staff. There have been review papers published in the human nursing literature documenting that staff workload has a direct relationship with adverse patient outcomes, hospital mortality, and medical mistakes.1 Other job satisfaction surveys have reported that employees would rather have more staff to allow for more time to be spent with patients or customers and better communication between staff and upper management.2
Administrative Professionals Day (previously referred to as Secretary’s Day) is a day that is observed in many countries. In the United States and Canada, it is typically celebrated on the Wednesday of Administrative Professionals Week, the last full week of April – not that far away! In a time of increased workload and stressors in the workforce, I present this reminder to encourage you to recognize the work of your support team and support professionals this April 22, 2020.
Terri O’Sullivan, DVM, PhD
Executive Editor
References
1. Osaro E, Chima N. Challenges of a negative work load and implications on morale, productivity and quality of service delivered in NHS laboratories in England. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2014;4(6):421-429.
2. Pizzolon CN, Coe JB, Shar JR. Evaluation of team effectiveness and personal empathy for associations with professional quality of life and job satisfaction in companion animal practice personnel. JAVMA. 2019;254(10):1204-1217.