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yeah, Lee is trying to clean some stuff up and already told mods to look out for this kind of thing. No worries.
Okay good! I was concerned!!!Permissions are being updated on the site. I’m guessing it’s a glitch.
I'm sorry, I wish you well. Have you been able to speak with your professors about this phenomena?Wound up getting COVID right before Thanksgiving after my husband got it at work. Finishing the semester/keeping up with school was really hard with the fatigue, brain fog, and just life. I'm almost completely better now other than not being able to taste or smell anything and have been cleared as not contagious anymore, but today I worked for like 5 hours and got so fatigued and sore that I took a 3 hour nap when this afternoon. I wish there was more time before the new semester started, or this fatigue would just go away.
Hey, get out of your last two weeks early? LolIn line to get COVID testing. If I have to tell my employer I’m positive on top of turning in my notice it’s going to be an interesting week
You don't have to have it the worst to be affected or to be upset. The anti-science rhetoric that is so prevalent nowadays is tough. Especially because people are so aggressive and ignorant, and refuse to acknowledge that advanced training and expertise in an area DOES make you more qualified to discuss the topic than them.That being said I know there are people who have it much worse and have been impacted by everything to a worse extent than me.
I feel that. I'm more than happy to discuss things with people and answer questions, but the majority of people I have interacted with unfortunately do not ask questions, they just tell me its fake and I've learned to just walk away because they don't usually want to hear what have to say.You don't have to have it the worst to be affected or to be upset. The anti-science rhetoric that is so prevalent nowadays is tough. Especially because people are so aggressive and ignorant, and refuse to acknowledge that advanced training and expertise in an area DOES make you more qualified to discuss the topic than them.
I also think it's hard as I have personally found that some of my colleagues in public health have taken kind of an aggressive approach toward condescending toward people who have legitimate questions that deserve to be answered, which drives them away from asking and imo encourages them to double down on wrong opinions.
There's got to be some kind of weird balance to identify because I feel like both attitudes drive one another into an endless circle of suckage
but actually sameFeeling super inadequate and incompetent and like this has all been a huge mistake and I've really just tricked everyone into passing me so far.
And like... when I say this out loud it sounds like classic impostor syndrome but I don't even feel like calling it that because it feels too real.
Anyways, job searching while intermittently feeling like I don't even deserve a job is mentally painful so that's how I'm doing. Is vet school over yet? Do I get to feel any better when it's over?
That suuuuuuuucks. Consolidation of information was one of my biggest complaints when I first got to pharmacy school because we're kind of similar.Petty rant. Our school you can find classroom related content on 6 different platforms depending on the class- which we have all adjusted to and know where things are at this point. WSU as a whole has decided to move to canvas from blackboard. Canvas is piloting this semester with it being mandatory next fall. Do you think our professors could just let us finish using blackboard with one semester left? No. 1 class. I repeat 1 class! has decided to use canvas this semester and punish us all so now we get 7 places to find information for classes. At least once canvas is active next fall it should eliminate the number of places for information down-not that I will benefit from any of it, but still.
Our year had one class with Canvas last Fall. I had used both systems prior to coming to vet school and agree Canvas is definitely superior.That suuuuuuuucks. Consolidation of information was one of my biggest complaints when I first got to pharmacy school because we're kind of similar.
On the bright side, Canvas is way better than Blackboard, IMO.
Owner: my dog has been limping on and off for the past year but I don’t think she’s in pain
Me: Oh usually limping is a sign of discomfort
Owner: well I don’t think she’s in pain I’ve had 3 dogs before so I think I know.
Me: oh ok... sure...
I don’t understand how some people believe that their limping dog isn’t in any sort of pain or discomfort.
“Well she’s still eating and drinking so she can’t be in pain!!!”Nah its okay because the dog is only in pain if they put full weight on the leg. Since they're limping, they're fine!
I get this with dentistry stuff all the time.“Well she’s still eating and drinking so she can’t be in pain!!!”
Hardest thing to learn in vet med tbhWithout animals saying ouch, people will always deny they feel pain. They also don't want to feel like they are doing wrong by their pet, so it takes a gentle hand to lead them to the right care.
I can usually get them to commit to one week at least of pain meds. I tell them, well, let's just see the difference giving it daily for a week, then if you still feel they don't need it, we can discuss.Hardest thing to learn in vet med tbh
Keeping this pro tip in my back pocket.I can usually get them to commit to one week at least of pain meds. I tell them, well, let's just see the difference giving it daily for a week, then if you still feel they don't need it, we can discuss.
People are better able to cope with short term goals first. Then you hold their hand for longer term care. hahaKeeping this pro tip in my back pocket.
One time the dental technician told a client her dog need several extractions because the mouth was very painful and the client declined. She said she’d rather the teeth just fall out on their own because that’s what had been happening and he was eating so how can he be in pain?I get this with dentistry stuff all the time.
“Your dog has a slab fracture of 208 and it needs to come out. It’s painful and it’s going to turn into an abscess.”
“Ok, but she’s going to college with my son next week, so we’ll do it in the summer. She’s eating just fine.”
Turns out survival instinct is real strong sometimesOne time the dental technician told a client her dog need several extractions because the mouth was very painful and the client declined. She said she’d rather the teeth just fall out on their own because that’s what had been happening and he was eating so how can he be in pain?
It’s even better when the person declining the extractions is a dentist or dental hygienist themself. Like you of all people should understand this.One time the dental technician told a client her dog need several extractions because the mouth was very painful and the client declined. She said she’d rather the teeth just fall out on their own because that’s what had been happening and he was eating so how can he be in pain?
Mine was an industry vet 🙃It’s even better when the person declining the extractions is a dentist or dental hygienist themself. Like you of all people should understand this.
Seriously girl, why ARE you still working in such a place? You're right in feeling used, those overbooked tech appointments only make techs' life miserable, hold back doctor's appointments, the work (and blame) all goes to techs and the revenues to the owners. Plus, sounds like she's being abusive verbally. You will be able to have good reference somewhere else, or from other vets in this place even if you decide to leave.Warning: long rant ahead. Input is very welcome...
This morning, a client called demanding we schedule a same-day tech appointment for her four large, uncooperative dogs to have their nails trimmed and anal glands expressed, plus a nail trim and de-shedding for her bunny. I overheard the receptionist saying she was going to make her wait until next week but the head vet stopped her to say we would put her on today's already fully booked tech appointment schedule. This client is always difficult and never appreciative, no good reason to go out of our way for her. When I got the chance a few minutes later, I glanced at the schedule and sure enough, it had been booked for just a few hours later.
I can't remember exactly what I said to myself, but it was something along the lines of "We can't let people walk all over us like that." Just a small statement to myself. I didn't realize my vet was standing behind me but she heard and snapped, "I'm getting really frustrated with you. I don't care where you think people should be put on the schedule. You don't get to make those decisions. You need to remember your place here. You're not in charge, I am. I don't want to hear it again."
And I totally get it, she's right, I'm not in charge, her word is the final say. Her comment itself didn't do any harm besides maybe a bruised ego on my part. But that really made me think for the rest of the day if that's how she views the rest of us: as employees who aren't allowed to voice their concerns rather than colleagues who are working our butts off for her when we don't have to. I've never gone around trying to tell people what to do, but I will speak up in the moments we're being really overworked for such an understaffed hospital because I believe nothing will improve if the boss perceives no apparent reason to change. And after all, this was a tech appointment... The vets don't lift a finger for those, but yet we are working purely for the head vet's profit. Recently we have been so understaffed that I have been doing tech appointments completely alone, and if I really badly need a hand, I need to pull one of the receptionists to restrain for me. I feel... Used, because my boss both lacks the understanding that techs are a finite resource and are humans, and allows and encourages the detrimental behaviors of our worst clients.
What further solidified my feeling of being used and under-appreciated was when that monster tech appointment did roll around and myself and my only tech coworker (a miracle I wasn't alone today) were trucking through it, and my boss interrupted us half way through, incredibly angry that she had three appointments (that she scheduled to overlap) waiting in the parking lot and she was falling behind because we hadn't gotten them for her yet. Obviously our fault, right?
And what further solidified my belief today that she is encouraging these behaviors was when I was screamed at over the phone by a client who had left a message for my boss "six hours ago" and was furious she hadn't heard a response yet regarding her cat who was dragging a hind leg and straining to defecate for two weeks. I offered her a same day appointment (we actually had one open appointment slot for an hour later, imagine that!) and she told me she was not going to waste her time and money again because last time we couldn't even tell her what was wrong. (Total BS - a month ago, we told her that her cat had a giant calcified mass that was obstructing one leg's range of motion and also putting pressure on his colon. She was in pure denial.) So I told her I am very sorry, the vet is in surgery right now and can't talk but will return your call as soon as possible. She got even more angry and said "the vet told me I can call her whenever I need to so this is all your fault because you're not letting me." I told her I would put her on hold and see if I could go talk to the vet. Before I got the chance, her husband took the phone from her and yelled at me "We've been waiting to hear from her for six hours. Just tell her to call us back. BYE." and hung up.
Now the craziest part is that my vet got mad at me for not interrupting her surgery to tell her I had this client on the phone. I mean, really??? She encourages these horrible clients to disrespect the techs and to always demand to talk to the vet directly, all for no cost instead of coming in for an appointment.
Outside of these incidents, the rest of the day she was perfectly amiable and acted as if these never happened...
Part of me just wants to shrug it off and call it misdirected anger. To keep my mouth shut and hope the dynamic changes when our new hires start in the next few weeks. To say she's absolutely right, I stepped out of line and that's completely my fault. That I'm just overreacting and taking things too personal.
The other part of me wants to pull her aside and remind her I have many fellow pre-vet friends in the area working lower-stress vet tech jobs with real managers and less responsibilities who are getting paid more than me. That the only reason I've stuck with her here is because I loved the work environment and my colleagues but that's not so convincing anymore. That if she can't stand behind her technicians, I have no reason to stand behind her...
I mean, realistically I'm not leaving any time soon because I'm relying on my vets here for recommendation letters. By the time those are in, there will be many changes made to the workplace and hopefully things improve. If this continues after that time passes, I feel the lack of management here might drive me away to a new hospital.
Thank you for the support! I posted that a while ago and did move to a new, better hospital in September.Seriously girl, why ARE you still working in such a place? You're right in feeling used, those overbooked tech appointments only make techs' life miserable, hold back doctor's appointments, the work (and blame) all goes to techs and the revenues to the owners. Plus, sounds like she's being abusive verbally. You will be able to have good reference somewhere else, or from other vets in this place even if you decide to leave.
And we’re all so glad you did!!!! 🥰Thank you for the support! I posted that a while ago and did move to a new, better hospital in September.
Man that's a client I would want to fire so badOooooh I am SEETHING
This is the conversation I had with someone today:
"Hi, I'm calling because my dog has some irritation where his harness sits."
"Sure, how long ago did you notice that?"
"Three days ago. I don't want an appointment. I want to talk to someone about it but I know you can't because you're just the receptionist." (not really but whatever, I didn't feel like arguing)
"Okay, no problem. I'll take down your number and make sure someone gives you a call about it tonight or tomorrow morning." (we were closing within the hour and the vet and manager already had a mile high stack of people who called)
"Why can't I talk to someone now?"
"All of the doctors and techs are currently occupied in appointments and emergencies. We will get back to you as soon as possible."
"Wow, okay." *hung up on me*
The manager called her back ten minutes later and convinced her to make an appointment. (I have given up trying to convince people to make appointments when they say right from the start that they don't want one because they won't listen unless it's the manager or doctor)
Half an hour later, our doctor pulled up an email from the same lady. This was the email, almost word for word:
"Today, I called because I needed medical advice for my dog. I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I received. I was told that I wouldn't be getting a call back from anyone until next week. RIDICULOUS!!! I came to your practice because I thought this was a facility that would always care for my pets immediately, even very late in the day. I don't believe this is the case anymore after my interaction today. Your receptionist is obviously just there for the $ and doesn't care at all about animals. I hope something in this hospital changes so that this doesn't happen anymore."
- Both the vet and the manager were working near me when I received that call and confirmed that I told her tonight or tomorrow.
- Yeah, I'm obviously "in it for the money" because I make $11 an hour to get covered in anal glands and deal with clients like this.
- The manager got back to her IN TEN MINUTES! BEFORE she sent that email!
- I'm really offended for being told I don't care about animals from a 30 second phone interaction.
The manager is going to give her a call back tomorrow just to tell her off for lying and disrespecting the workers. I love my manager.
S a m eMan that's a client I would want to fire so bad
I'd dropkick this one straight outta the practiceOooooh I am SEETHING
This is the conversation I had with someone today:
"Hi, I'm calling because my dog has some irritation where his harness sits."
"Sure, how long ago did you notice that?"
"Three days ago. I don't want an appointment. I want to talk to someone about it but I know you can't because you're just the receptionist." (not really but whatever, I didn't feel like arguing)
"Okay, no problem. I'll take down your number and make sure someone gives you a call about it tonight or tomorrow morning." (we were closing within the hour and the vet and manager already had a mile high stack of people who called)
"Why can't I talk to someone now?"
"All of the doctors and techs are currently occupied in appointments and emergencies. We will get back to you as soon as possible."
"Wow, okay." *hung up on me*
The manager called her back ten minutes later and convinced her to make an appointment. (I have given up trying to convince people to make appointments when they say right from the start that they don't want one because they won't listen unless it's the manager or doctor)
Half an hour later, our doctor pulled up an email from the same lady. This was the email, almost word for word:
"Today, I called because I needed medical advice for my dog. I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I received. I was told that I wouldn't be getting a call back from anyone until next week. RIDICULOUS!!! I came to your practice because I thought this was a facility that would always care for my pets immediately, even very late in the day. I don't believe this is the case anymore after my interaction today. Your receptionist is obviously just there for the $ and doesn't care at all about animals. I hope something in this hospital changes so that this doesn't happen anymore."
- Both the vet and the manager were working near me when I received that call and confirmed that I told her tonight or tomorrow.
- Yeah, I'm obviously "in it for the money" because I make $11 an hour to get covered in anal glands and deal with clients like this.
- The manager got back to her IN TEN MINUTES! BEFORE she sent that email!
- I'm really offended for being told I don't care about animals from a 30 second phone interaction.
The manager is going to give her a call back tomorrow just to tell her off for lying and disrespecting the workers. I love my manager.
How about changing to "We wish you luck in finding care for your pet."?We wish you the best in finding care for your pet.
I originally had "We look forward to never participating in the care of your pet again."How about changing to "We wish you luck in finding care for your pet."?
Oooooh I am SEETHING
This is the conversation I had with someone today:
"Hi, I'm calling because my dog has some irritation where his harness sits."
"Sure, how long ago did you notice that?"
"Three days ago. I don't want an appointment. I want to talk to someone about it but I know you can't because you're just the receptionist." (not really but whatever, I didn't feel like arguing)
"Okay, no problem. I'll take down your number and make sure someone gives you a call about it tonight or tomorrow morning." (we were closing within the hour and the vet and manager already had a mile high stack of people who called)
"Why can't I talk to someone now?"
"All of the doctors and techs are currently occupied in appointments and emergencies. We will get back to you as soon as possible."
"Wow, okay." *hung up on me*
The manager called her back ten minutes later and convinced her to make an appointment. (I have given up trying to convince people to make appointments when they say right from the start that they don't want one because they won't listen unless it's the manager or doctor)
Half an hour later, our doctor pulled up an email from the same lady. This was the email, almost word for word:
"Today, I called because I needed medical advice for my dog. I am extremely dissatisfied with the service I received. I was told that I wouldn't be getting a call back from anyone until next week. RIDICULOUS!!! I came to your practice because I thought this was a facility that would always care for my pets immediately, even very late in the day. I don't believe this is the case anymore after my interaction today. Your receptionist is obviously just there for the $ and doesn't care at all about animals. I hope something in this hospital changes so that this doesn't happen anymore."
- Both the vet and the manager were working near me when I received that call and confirmed that I told her tonight or tomorrow.
- Yeah, I'm obviously "in it for the money" because I make $11 an hour to get covered in anal glands and deal with clients like this.
- The manager got back to her IN TEN MINUTES! BEFORE she sent that email!
- I'm really offended for being told I don't care about animals from a 30 second phone interaction.
The manager is going to give her a call back tomorrow just to tell her off for lying and disrespecting the workers. I love my manager.
Our manager is our head tech and basically takes any call with any person who's being even slightly difficult - not to let clients go over our heads, but to stop them from wasting our time by putting an end to the nonsense right away and forcing them to make an appointment. It's a world of a difference from my last job where clients were highly encouraged to go over our heads because they knew the vet would bend over backwards for them; answer any questions over the phone, offer a free exam...Having anyone call this client back in the first place is the first mistake. Either clients accept that reception/ techs know their job or they can piss off. This easily should have been schedule an appointment, shouldn't have ever made it to a manager. If she didn't like that answer, she can go pound sand.
If she wants concierge vet care, she can find someone that offers that service and pay them $200/ hour for that service. Otherwise, she can chill her heels, make an appointment and wait like anyone else.
Our manager is our head tech and basically takes any call with any person who's being even slightly difficult - not to let clients go over our heads, but to stop them from wasting our time by putting an end to the nonsense right away and forcing them to make an appointment. It's a world of a difference from my last job where clients were highly encouraged to go over our heads because they knew the vet would bend over backwards for them; answer any questions over the phone, offer a free exam...
I feel the closer I get to joining the adult world for real, I become more and more like @DVMDream
Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to change that. And regardless, it doesn't affect me negatively (yes, this person took their frustration out on me, but she would have done the same thing if I told her off in her first call - bad clients will pop up everywhere). Also just depends on the doctor. Our newer doctor wants to make everyone happy and lose no clients. Our older doctor overheard the discussion and said "If that was my client, I would have told them to **** off before they even sent that email." And she means it because she tells a client to **** off at least once a month, lolExcept every time they get to talk to the manager/ vet it undermines you. I get it is better than your last job but it still is undermining you. The either take the answer you give or pound sand. That's how you support staff. Not "oh I'll talk to them" that is giving them what they want. A talk with someone "higher up" than you. It still reinforces bad behavior from clients.