3 Ways Veterinary Software Can Empower Technicians and Assistants

Veterinary technicians and assistants perform a variety of tasks that are integral to patient care and practice operations. But, outdated workflows, management systems, and protocols can force technicians and assistants to depend on their veterinarians or practice owners for instructions, guidance, or approval for tasks that are well within their professional scope. 

Shepherd Veterinary Software helps remove these barriers by providing technicians and assistants with greater autonomy through a variety of empowering features. With Shepherd in hand, the veterinary support team can be more productive, provide better patient care, and feel the joy in their work that they deserve.

Here are three ways that Shepherd Veterinary Software enhances the work of veterinary technicians and assistants.

#1: Automatic discharge instructions

When the veterinarian enters a diagnosis or procedure in the electronic medical record (EMR), Shepherd Veterinary Software automatically generates a document containing pertinent—and customizable—information. Benefits of this simple yet powerful feature include:

• Time savings — Veterinarians can hand off remaining appointment tasks to the assigned technician or assistant, knowing the client will leave informed about their pet’s condition or care. Technicians and assistants do not have to wait for specific recommendations, orders, or notes.
• Consistent messaging — Automatic discharge instructions ensure the entire team—from the front desk to the exam room—understands the pet’s condition or diagnosis and how to advise the client, minimizing the risk of incorrect or omitted information.
• Confident education — Written instructions help new and experienced technicians and assistants feel confident about educating the client.
• Simplified documentation — Automatic discharge instructions become part of the patient’s EMR, providing an easy reference during the pet’s appointment.
• Tangible takeaways — Clients receive a customizable in-hand resource they can reference when they get home. This helps reinforce veterinarian recommendations, improve compliance, and minimize the need for additional follow-up calls.

#2: Bundled services

Bundled services link related care tasks together. With a single entry into the patient’s EMR, the team can view associated services and confidently initiate care. This feature not only improves communication, workflow, and veterinarian efficiency, but also allows onboarding team members to understand and carry out the practice’s protocols and standard of care. Bundled services conveniently and efficiently put protocols in motion for common non-critical patient conditions, such as skin, ear, and eye issues, that require time-consuming sampling, diagnostic testing, care tasks, and client education. 

#3: Inventory management and monitoring

Veterinary technicians and assistants tasked with inventory management often feel overwhelmed by their practices’ ever-changing supply versus demand. Team members often step into these roles with little training or preparation and are forced to climb a steep learning curve. Shepherd Veterinary Software streamlines this process with automated inventory tracking and detailed reports showing two-week and monthly usage for each item. Veterinary technicians and assistants can feel confident about their ordering and pricing decisions and fine-tune their process every month. In addition to keeping shelves stocked at the appropriate levels and minimizing waste, informed technicians and assistants can make key decisions that positively impact the practice’s cost of goods and, ultimately, practice profitability.

Empowered teams are joyful teams

Proper team utilization isn’t merely about productivity, but also morale. Veterinary technicians, assistants, and other team members equipped with the tools, knowledge, and trust to perform their specific roles discover the joy and satisfaction of witnessing the positive results of their contributions. This fosters a greater sense of ownership and innovation, as the team feels invested in the practice and enjoys finding new and better ways to provide the best patient care.

Is your veterinary practice management software lifting up your team, or holding them back? Discover the exponential benefits of a cloud-based veterinary software that works the way you do—because it was built by vets like you. Contact the Shepherd Veterinary Software team to request your personalized demo and experience the joy—and empowerment—you and your team deserve.