Rant? :-/

[ORdvm]

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Any other new grads dealing with techs that are condescending? I was a tech for 6 years before vet school so I really appreciate them, however one (only one thank goodness) has felt the need to excessively and rudely question everything I do that is different from the other two doctors (that have been out for 30 years).

E.g. "Why are you making the owners pick up misoprostol? We HAVE sucralfate" *read with snarky attitude*).

It's really wearing me down and I'm tired of nicely explaining my perfectly acceptable protocols. She's very inflammatory and gets upset if I make any suggestions on how to better assist me during a procedure. Help??? I'm considering looking for a different job. Did I mention she's best friends with our practice manager? *le sigh

 

[Angelo84]

Have you sat down with her in private and discussed the situation directly? i.e. You appreciate her assistance but she needs to work on the way she questions you. I know that I have told the techs I work with many times that if they have a question about a medication or a dose to please ask me about it. I would prefer them to ask are you sure you want to do x if something doesn't seem right then give it and not ask me because mistakes happen. Or they happen to know that Dr. A often uses drug c and ask--what about using drug c? However that questioning has to be respectful. If talking to her directly doesn't work I would go to her supervisor (the practice manager?) and possibly your boss to discuss things. If you are at the point of considering changing jobs they should know about it (and why). And if the management doesn't address things effectively then polish up your resume as it sounds like you are at the end of your rope.

Good luck!

 

[EngrSC]

Sheesh, I'm appalled to hear this. I work with a c/o 2011 Penn graduate and none of us have or would ever question her on anything. That is completely inappropriate!!

You went through 4 years of vet school, your tech didn't, so why does she think she can question you??

 

[Kyoht]

I have encountered this were I work. We hired a vet tech a few months before we hired a new grad. This specific vet tech will question the things the senior vet does(hes been practicing 28 plus years) and will try and undermine the new grads confidence. The new grad will have a plan and the tech will just pick and pick and put so many doubts in her mind that sometimes she ends up changing her treatment plan. I have talked with this tech but she is very hard to approach without it ending in a battle. I don't know why some techs are like this but you are not alone. Sometimes I think they have a inferiority complex or I dunno lol.

 

[sunshinevet]

Sheesh, I'm appalled to hear this. I work with a c/o 2011 Penn graduate and none of us have or would ever question her on anything. That is completely inappropriate!!

You went through 4 years of vet school, your tech didn't, so why does she think she can question you??

Um, yeah its completely inappropriate to make someone feel undermined... but not question anything they do??? That is just as wrong.

Good, well trained techs have excellent skills and knowledge that contribute just as much to patient care as vets. It is their duty to question a doctors orders, if they think they are wrong. Who cares if they are wrong, who cares if they are right, as long as the mistake doesnt get passed on to the patient. I would rather someone ask me a thousand times if i think im right than not ask me and let me get it wrong. Being a vet doesnt make you a god immune from mistakes. Techs are there to help with that, questioning isnt being disrespectful, its DOING THEIR JOB.

Sorry, I just take exception to the whole "your a vet, shes a tech, why does she think she can question you?" Thats so ridiculous. A terrible mindset. Many of the techs I work with will with save more lives than I will my first year out - and they are an extra set of eyes on my new, inexperienced work that I will be forever greatful for.

Sorry OP, off topic.

 

[Jamr0ckin]

Um, yeah its completely inappropriate to make someone feel undermined... but not question anything they do??? That is just as wrong.

Good, well trained techs have excellent skills and knowledge that contribute just as much to patient care as vets. It is their duty to question a doctors orders, if they think they are wrong. Who cares if they are wrong, who cares if they are right, as long as the mistake doesnt get passed on to the patient. I would rather someone ask me a thousand times if i think im right than not ask me and let me get it wrong. Being a vet doesnt make you a god immune from mistakes. Techs are there to help with that, questioning isnt being disrespectful, its DOING THEIR JOB.

Sorry, I just take exception to the whole "your a vet, shes a tech, why does she think she can question you?" Thats so ridiculous. A terrible mindset. Many of the techs I work with will with save more lives than I will my first year out - and they are an extra set of eyes on my new, inexperienced work that I will be forever greatful for.

Sorry OP, off topic.

I agree to a certain extent. But there is a way to respectfully voice concern over a treatment plan and harass/undermine the veterinarian until they begin to question themselves. Lets also remember that newer grads may come out of school with different approaches than those of senior vets who have been out for many years. Techs may question a perfectly acceptable treatment plan because its new (but it isn't wrong). Techs need to be advocates for the patients, but remember they aren't veterinarians and be respectful of their superiors

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