Unit information: Veterinary Practice Management in 2015/16

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

Essential: (Core materials for the curriculum that all students must read)

BSAVA (2012) BSAVA Manual of Small Animal Veterinary Practice Management and Development, Eds Clarke, C. and Chapman, M., BSAVA, Quedgeley, Glos, UK.

ISBN 9 781 90531 9404

Recommended: (Materials needed for a deep and comprehensive understanding of the subject that students should read but perhaps selectively)

Shilcock, M. and Stutchfield, G. (2008) Veterinary Practice Management: A Practical Guide

2^nd Edn., Saunders Elsevier, Hong Kong, China.

ISBN 9 780 70202 9202

Coates, C. (2012) Veterinary Practice Management, CABI, Wallingford, Oxon, UK.

ISBN 978 1 84593 9809

Further Reading: (Background to a subject or further specialised study that students are encouraged to read)

Jobber, D. (2010) Principles and Practice of Marketing, 6^th Edn., McGraw-Hill Education, Maidenhead, Berkshire, UK.

ISBN 10 0 07 7123301

Barrow, P. (2005) The Best-Laid Business Plans, Virgin Books Ltd, London, UK.

ISBN 0 7535 0963 6