COMMUNICATION  COACHING

Vet hospitals are often emotionally charged, dynamic work environments. 

HR support is not just for management; we’re here for support staff too. 

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We provide personalized coaching to help you work through challenging situations.  We’ll talk through your specific circumstances and give guidance and perspective.  Sometimes you just need a sounding board, and the support of knowing there’s someone in your corner.   

We’ll provide communication strategies so you can:

• Approach difficult conversations with confidence

• Resolve a disagreement or conflict 

• Grow your leadership skills in preparation for more responsibility

INTERVIEW PREPARATION

Finding a great hospital fit is vital to your job satisfaction and career growth!  Interviews are not just about a hospital assessing your skills, knowledge and abilities; it is equally important that you evaluate whether a hospital meets your needs.   

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We’ll help you:

• Define what gives you fulfillment and balance in your work

• Identify the hospital culture that is best for you!

• Know what to ask to determine if a hospital is the right fit

RESUMÉ REVIEW

A polished and organized resumé is more likely to lead to an interview and job offer.  We’ve conducted thousands of interviews for veterinary hospitals over the years, so we look at resumés through the lens of a practice manager.   

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We’ll review your resumé and provide feedback and suggested revisions to make sure that your accomplishments, skills and aptitudes stand out!

CULTURE ASSESSMENT

Employees are interviewed to identify culture and morale concerns.  Starpath provides an external sounding board for employees to share insights, which empowers your team and helps your practice prioritize goals. 

Feedback is summarized for the hospital leadership team to identify trends, stressors and other “pain points”, and Starpath makes recommendations on culture initiatives.  One of the greatest joys comes in helping teams rediscover “why” we do what we do in vet med, and creating positive culture around that center.     

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Culture assessments can be done remotely, onsite, or a combination thereof.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF HR ISSUES

We can conduct an independent review of a specific HR situation or area of concern.  We'll help look into employee complaints by speaking with employees directly to learn their perspective.  We can also be a resource for your employees and advocate on their behalf by bringing their concerns to hospital leadership in a neutral way.

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We'll provide a summary of the concern, and give recommendations to correct an issue before it becomes a major problem.  It's all about creating the best work environment for your people!  ​​

EVALUATION OF HR PROCESSES

We'll do an in-depth assessment of your current HR practices and policies, from hire through termination.  We look to ensure your HR strategies support your practice culture and follow HR best practices for compliance with labor laws.

You receive a detailed analysis, including:

• recognition of areas where you shine

• identified areas of risk

• recommended HR best practices

• action steps

SITUATIONAL GUIDANCE

People are imaginative and independent, and sometimes the HR dilemmas that arise can be challenging.  We'll act as a sounding board, and advise, guide, educate, and support through your toughest situations.  You'll receive insightful recommendations and next steps.  We're with you every step of the way.

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We'll navigate together with your leadership team to: 

• approach tough conversations

• manage performance concerns and set clear expectations

• handle misconduct appropriately

• respond to mental health issues

• work through unusual or unexpected situations

DOCUMENTATION DONE RIGHT

Documenting employee performance, good or bad, is a task that few enjoy.  However, it is crucial to let people know where they stand.  Well written documentation summarizes performance and conduct concerns with specific examples, sets clear expectations, and outlines goals or consequences.  Proper documentation supports decisions you make, and helps protect your practice from risk.

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However, poorly worded, unclear or incomplete documentation poses a huge risk to your practice.  This can result in disengaged staff, unfair treatment, and even litigation.

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We'll work with your leadership team to:

• create document templates that fit your culture, are congruent with your policies, and follow HR best practices

• provide guidance on necessary steps and information gathering prior to finalizing documents

• review documents before they are given to an employee to sign

SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS

Depression, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm are prevalent in our world and among our people.  We know that the suicide rate is unacceptable in the veterinary profession.  Veterinary leaders are sometimes thrust into the position of counselor, and may be unsure how to help or how involved to be.

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We can help you to support people who are struggling with mental health, from an HR standpoint.  We'll help you know what you can and can't ask or do.  With the right approach, we can help our people, within our boundaries. ​

LEAVES OF ABSENCE

INTERACTIVE PROCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Leave laws are dynamic, to say the least.  We'll help you implement a leave of absence process so your practice is compliant with any applicable federal, state and local leave laws.

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The ADA/ADAAA are complex areas with much overlap with leave laws and worker's comp, and it is easy to be confused or out of compliance.  Both medical issues and mental health concerns in our people must be addressed.  We can work through convoluted situations together, so you can ensure you are engaging and accommodating appropriately. 

We'll help you:

• implement steps to engage in the interactive process and determine reasonable accommodations

• properly document your interactive process and accommodations

• have a solid understanding of both the employer's and employee's rights and responsibilities

LOOKING FORWARD WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING

We strategize together on your goals for your practice.  Whether you are growing, adding new services, anticipating a decline, or looking to redefine your culture, having your people on board is key to successful implementation.  We'll encourage you to remain flexible and creative in your thinking as we explore new ideas.  We help develop a plan to gather input from your team and maintain clear communications with your people throughout the change process.