Unit information: Veterinary Practice Management in 2014/15

Unit name	Veterinary Practice Management
Unit code	VETS23004
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Mrs. Coates
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	All first and second year units
Co-requisites	VETS20030
School/department	Bristol Veterinary School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Students are taught the fundamentals of veterinary practice management including marketing, the management of health and safety, financial management for profitability and business planning. The Unit includes a three-week rotation spent working alongside administrative staff employed within Langford Veterinary Services. During this rotation, students complete a Learning Log, which requires them to carry out a range of administrative tasks.

Aims: 1. To build a knowledge and understanding of managing health and safety within a clinical environment 2. To build a knowledge and understanding of factors, both internal and external, that affect practice profitability 3. To develop an understanding of the role of marketing in increasing client loyalty 4. To develop critical analysis skills through the evaluation of veterinary business cases 5. To develop independence in decision-making and the selection of appropriate approaches to problem-solving.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Explain the principles of H&S management and the management of systems and procedures to ensure business safety, efficiency and profitability

• Apply a range of marketing tools and techniques to increase practice profitability and improve practice-client relationships

• Gain some practical experience of veterinary practice administration

• Examine a business case and associated financial information, identify the issues and put forward recommendations for changes and improvements

Teaching Information

28x50 min lectures, 3 x tutorials, 11 x practicals

1. 4 x 50 min timetabled sessions to work on management and H&S assignments
2. 3 wk practical rotation working alongside administrative staff (111 hours)
3. Private study (30 hours)

Assessment Information

The overall pass mark for this unit is 40%

Students must obtain a minimum of 40% in each of the following areas:

2-hr written examination 100%

Reading and References

(1) BSAVA Manual of Small Animal Practice Management and Development (2012): Eds Carole Clarke and Marion Chapman, BSAVA, Quedgeley, UK, ISBN 978 1905319404-4 (2) Veterinary Practice Management: A Practical Guide (2008) by Maggie Shilcock and Georgina Stutchfield, Elsevier Science, Edinburgh, UK, ISBN 9 780 70202 9202 (3) Veterinary Practice Management (2012) by Catherine Coates, CABI, Wallingford, UK, ISBN 978-184593-980-9 (4) Business Accounting I & II by Frank Wood and J. Sangster, ISBN 0 2736 3742 8 (5) Principles and Practice of Marketing by David Jobber, ISBN 0 07 710706 X (6) Business Plans (2009) by David Lloyd, ISBN 9 780 34094 6503