PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2021 - 12

Team Building
That Actually Works
By Ciera Powers, CVT, VTS
While the pandemic has everyone
focusing on social distancing, veterinary
staff members are needing to come
together now more than ever to survive
the busy schedules, curbside service,
and disrupted home lives they are facing.
Team building activities are a great way to
help your staff bond and improve morale,
but they are not everyone's cup of tea. Try
shaking up your methods and watch how
your team can grow through laughing and
camaraderie.
Plan COVID-Friendly Potluck Days
No one knows " hangry " like a veterinary
staff member and our busy schedules
have made lunch breaks even more
rare. Depending on your hospital's food
policy, potluck days are still a possibility
during the pandemic. Sign up to bring
individually wrapped items that staff can
safely enjoy and bring back the dip when
it is safe to do so!
Fun Tip! Pick a theme for your potluck
days! (e.g., holiday, movie, TV show,
veterinary or animal theme).
Check Out Local Rentals
Did you know that you can rent an ice
cream or food truck for your staff? Let
your staff " check out " for a few minutes
to enjoy a tasty treat without worrying
about food policies or social distancing.
Be sure to change things up and think
outside of the box for staff incentives to
make sure your team feels appreciated.
Fun Tip! If you have the space, rent a
bounce house for your staff and allow
them to take turns bouncing their stress
away! Fun is not only for kids!
Learn While You Laugh
Does your staff need refresher training on
a certain task? Try incorporating it into a
12 | Keystone Veterinarian
Fun Tip!
Printable activities
are also a great
way for team
members to blow
off steam on
their lunch breaks
or free time.
About the Author: Ciera Powers, CVT,
VTS (Clinical Practice), has over 10 years
of experience in the veterinary field.
She graduated from Vet Tech Institute
Pittsburgh in 2008 and obtained her
Veterinary Technician Specialty in Clinical
Practice in 2016. She joined VCA Metzger
Animal Hospital in State College, PA, in
2009 where she currently works as a VTS
and Inventory Manager. She lives with
her husband Michael, their son Jackson,
and their pets: 1 dog, 2 cats, and 2 rats.
In her free time, she enjoys board games,
camping, and watching documentaries.
game where everyone gets a chance to
participate. For example, CPR training is
something that should be updated and
refreshed often, but this doesn't mean it
can't be fun!
Fun Tip! Try out this CPR training game:
assign one duty to each team member
such as " start compressions " or " place
IV catheter " and have your staff act
out a CPR event drill. Encourage all
staff members to switch positions and
practice each task until everyone feels
comfortable. Make sure your best singer
keeps the rhythm for your compressions.
Once your team is able to run through the
drill without any mistakes, offer a prize to
all of those who participated!
Word Search, Anyone?
Sometimes your staff will need a moment
to get their minds off the stress of their
job. Hand out veterinary-themed word
puzzles or try out trivia at your next round
table meeting. You can even try out a few
rounds of veterinary bingo ( " hair on your
scrubs " is definitely the free space)!
Animal Care PA's
Speaking of team building..
You can register your entire practice in
Animal Care PA's Bark in the Park teams
competition. You can share with your
clients that you are participating to
encourage donations so Animal Care
PA, PVMA's charitable arm, can help
more animals in need and continue
their programs! The winner of the team
competition will not only have bragging
rights, but will also have their name
engraved on the traveling plaque that you
can hang in your practice! When you see
that sparkling plaque, you can look back
and say that you did that TOGETHER, as a
team, while doing good for the animals of
PA!
October 24, 2021
See page 11 for details
PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PVMA Keystone Veterinarian Fall 2021
