Practice Ownership

[BSLisBull]

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Currently I am a pre-vet student looking more towards practice ownership rather than getting my DVM. I am (hopefully) soon to be a LVT and then soon after sit for my CCRP exam. I'm looking to relocate to FL where non-veterinary practice ownership is allowed.

Would it be worthwhile for me to get my MBA or should I look more towards veterinary practice management certification? Also, any insight/suggestions/criticism as far as your experience with a non-vet owner or just the notion in general is much appreciated!

 

[dyachei]

MBA may be worth it because a general understanding of how to run a business is important. There are a couple things that are specific to vet practice management, but I'm not sure if the certification is helpful or if it would be just as helpful to read a book on it.

non-vet owners are fine, but be prepared to butt heads with the doctors every now and then. It probably will happen.

 

[CalliopeDVM]

Currently I am a pre-vet student looking more towards practice ownership rather than getting my DVM. I am (hopefully) soon to be a LVT and then soon after sit for my CCRP exam. I'm looking to relocate to FL where non-veterinary practice ownership is allowed.

Would it be worthwhile for me to get my MBA or should I look more towards veterinary practice management certification? Also, any insight/suggestions/criticism as far as your experience with a non-vet owner or just the notion in general is much appreciated!

An MBA would certainly be good, but probably more than you need to run a small business (unless you have aspirations for a mega-practice or chain). Definitely you want business and management courses, but I don't think a Masters is necessary. One of my neighbours is currently undertaking some small business courses (an 18 month program at the local university) in anticipation of his future plans to open a business, but they are specifically geared for small businesspeople.

As for non-vet ownership of a vet practice......I'm against it, personally. I think that the people manning the purse strings should have both clinical knowledge as well as the legal responsibility. I would not want my license to be on the line for something designed and dictated by someone who doesn't share that same responsibility.

 

[iamapm]

You should have a very good knowledge of how a business decision can affect the medicine and how the opposite is true. You must be able to manage people and clients, set expectations and hold people accountable for their actions. Marketing, sales, positioning, technology, facilities management, accounting, bookkeeping are all important skills to understand if not do yourself. You must understand enough about the problem domain that your decisions will be accepted and respected.