Practice Management

20 November

New report highlights growth, opportunities in veterinary profession

wsvma   |   Practice Management, Professional News

The AVMA’s annual Economic State of the Veterinary Profession report highlights strong growth and continued demographic shifts in the veterinary profession in 2019, along with the impact of COVID-19 and the economic challenges and opportunities for veterinarians moving forward. The report provides an essential measurement of the state of veterinary medicine and gives valuable insight on trends that affect veterinary professionals in all fields of focus. Key findings in the 2020 Economic State of the Veterinary Profession include: Starting salaries for new...

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23 October

WSVMA Board votes to support WakeUpVetMed initiative

wsvma   |   DEI, Practice Management, WSVMA News

At their Sept. 12 meeting, the WSVMA Board of Directors approved support for the WakeUpVetMed Initiative introduced earlier in the year to the AVMA. The WSVMA is the first state veterinary medical association to approve support for the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative. Dr. Marie Sato Quicksall, president-elect of the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA) from Bainbridge Island, attended the meeting by invitation to speak about efforts by the MCVMA and nine other key organizations to improve DEI in...

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23 October

PPP forgiveness application simplified for smaller loans

wsvma   |   Practice Management

Borrowers who took out Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less can take advantage of a simplified forgiveness application announced last Friday, October 9, by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Treasury. This application, SBA Form 3508S, requires fewer calculations and less documentation, according to the administration’s interim final rule and instructions. Also, for these loan holders, there will not be reductions to the forgiveness amount based on workforce retention or salary/wage decreases. However, borrowers...

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16 October

We salute veterinary technicians!

wsvma   |   Practice Management

Veterinary technicians are crucial to the day-to-day operations of veterinary practices, and play vital roles in the care of animal health and welfare. This week of October 11-17, 2020 has been set aside for National Veterinary Technician Week to celebrate, recognize, and promote the valuable contributions licensed veterinary technicians make to the veterinary profession and society. But don’t stop there. Let’s appreciate them all year long. For more information about National Veterinary Technician Week can be found on NAVTA’s website.   Posted October 16,...

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16 October

The Next Normal: Pathways for Veterinary Medicine

wsvma   |   Continuing Education, Practice Management

The relatively staid veterinary profession has been truly uprooted and replanted over the last six months.  Join three veterinary profession thought leaders – Drs. Karen Felsted, Matt Salois, and Peter Weinstein – as they discuss and postulate on a direction that the veterinary profession may be headed.  Starting with a look at the global economy, extending into the veterinary specific economy, and touching the micro-economy within the operations of a practice, the presenters will encourage attendees to continue thinking differently...

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09 October

Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program – Applications due November 9 2020

wsvma   |   Practice Management

USDA’s Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services Act (NVMSA) helps qualified veterinarians offset a significant portion of the debt incurred in pursuit of their veterinary medicine degrees in return for their service in certain high-priority veterinary shortage situations. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will carry out NVMSA by entering into educational loan repayment agreements with veterinarians who agree to provide veterinary services in veterinarian shortage situations for a determined period...

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09 October

Better than expected outlook for unemployment fund offers break to Washington businesses in 2021

wsvma   |   Practice Management

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) today announced there will not be a solvency tax for employers in 2021, a savings for businesses of nearly $200 million, based on a higher than expected unemployment trust fund balance at the end of September. At this time, due to improved economic forecasting, it is also projected that the state will not need to take out federal loans to continue paying unemployment benefits in 2021, as was previously anticipated. “This is...

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21 August

Requirements for workers with medical and disability issues that prevent the use of a cloth face covering or mask?

wsvma   |   Practice Management, Wellness

Face shields alone do not prevent the spread of COVID 19 and do not meet the face-covering requirement. Employees with a medical or disability issue, who are requesting accommodation, must provide their employer with an accommodation statement from their medical professional specifying that a face covering or mask should not be worn due to their present health condition. Employers cannot just allow the employee to work without a mask with no other mitigations or accommodations. Employers should assess any negative impacts...

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24 July

New client communication rule raises questions

wsvma   |   Practice Management, State Regulatory

The WSVMA and the Veterinary Board of Governors (VBOG) have received several questions related to the new client communication rule that is set to take effect in the coming weeks. We reached out to VBOG and they provided answers to the most common concerns. Q – With the new rule, does it mean veterinarians should review every possible diagnostic, medication, or treatment they might administer to a patient with the owner? A – The spirit of the rule is to set...

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24 July

New AVMA resource guides your practice as you expand operations

wsvma   |   COVID-19, Practice Management

Veterinarians and veterinary teams have been performing essential work throughout the pandemic, nimbly adapting procedures and adopting new processes. As some practices begin moving to expand operations, AVMA’s COVID-19 resource center has a new tool to help you stay competitive in this evolving environment. The AVMA and AVMA Trust have created a playbook for resuming veterinary practice operations to help practices navigate the unknowns and potential risks of expanding services. This resource will aid your veterinary practice in addressing specific issues...

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