HOW TO MOVE FROM THE FLOOR TO SUPERVISOR AMY NEWFIELD, MS CVT, VTS (ECC) VETgirl Technician CE Coordinator
In this VETgirl webinar entitled “How to move from the floor to supervisor,” Amy Newfield, CVT, VTS (ECC), VETgirl’s Technician CE Coordinator, reviews how to move from the floor to veterinary technician supervisor. Oftentimes, technicians or assistants are given promotions to a supervisor or manager, without any training in the process. What does it mean to be a supervisor? As a VETgirl ELITE member, check her webinar our HERE to learn what separates a supervisor from a floor technician/assistant.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
3 THE TEAM NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE
1 WHY GO INTO MANAGEMENT It is important that the main reason why you went into a supervisor role was because you wanted to advocate for your team members and help provide a voice for them. Once you move into management, the success of your job is dependent on the happiness and success of those you are leading. 2 WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? If you were not provided with the job description, then you must ask for one. Do you have the ability to hire and/or fire? Are you responsible for yearly reviews? Are you responsible for your team’s career development? What about conflict resolution or performance-based issues? Do you have the ability to write somebody up? Having a job description of your new role is important to allow you to understand what it entails in order for you to be successful. Oftentimes, these roles are associated with more money. However, if you find yourself suddenly in a supervisor role, you may have just taken on more responsibility without a formal role being created. It is important that if you find yourself in such a scenario that you advocate for an increase in salary. Failure to do so oftentimes breeds discontent and burnout because of the added responsibility without the added compensation.
If you were given more and more responsibility without the actual job title and finally came to the realization that you were working as a supervisor or manager, then it is unlikely that the team understands your role. Once you have obtained a clear job description and title it is important that this is communicated out to the team in the hospital. Your role can never be successful if they don’t treat you as a supervisor or manager. The team must understand that they need to come to you to help them with their issues and concerns. 4 LEARN THE ART OF PC Once you step into a manager or supervisor role you must hold yourself to a higher standard. You are no longer permitted to gossip or be overly negative. You are being watched by your team at all times. How you act is how you want your team to act. You must set the example. 5 GET TO KNOW YOUR TEAM You may be good friends with some of your team. You may not like others. It is important to cultivate a healthy management relationship with everyone in your team. If you are new to the role of leadership, then take the time to have a team meeting and explain to them that you are growing
and learning and that you’re going to make mistakes. The best supervisors take the time to check in with each employee individually for at least 15 to 20 minutes every other week. This is not always practical in a veterinary hospital. There may be multiple shifts where you don’t even get the opportunity to work with some of those that you are managing. If that’s the case, checking in via email and letting them know that you’re there for them if they have any concerns or questions is also important. If you’re working with someone on the floor, just talk to them about how things are going. (continued)
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