Practice Layout for New Staff: Fernhill Veterinary Clinic

Introduction

This guide is for new veterinary nurses, receptionists and animal care assistants joining Fernhill Veterinary Clinic. It describes the ground floor of the clinic, where nearly all of your work will take place, and gives some basic rules. The first floor contains only offices and a meeting room and is not described here.

The front of the clinic

Clients and their pets come in through the main door in the middle of the south side, which opens into reception. The reception team book appointments, take payments and weigh animals on the floor scales. To the right of reception, in the south-east corner, are the consulting rooms, where vets examine animals and talk to owners. On the other side of reception, in the south-west corner, is the dispensary, where medicines are stored and labelled. Only qualified staff may hand over prescription medicines, and the dispensary must be locked whenever it is left empty.

Behind reception

A corridor runs east to west through the middle of the building, and clients may only enter it when accompanied by a member of staff. At the western end of the corridor is the prep room, where animals are prepared before an operation and where blood samples are taken. At the eastern end is the cat ward. Cats are kept well away from barking dogs here because noise makes them anxious and slows their recovery, so please keep the door closed.

The back of the clinic

The operating theatre is directly behind the corridor in the middle of the north side. Never enter it during an operation unless you are asked to, and always wear theatre clothing and a mask. To the west of the operating theatre, in the north-west corner, is the X-ray room, which has a warning light above the door; when the light is on, nobody may go in. In the north-east corner, on the other side of the theatre, are the dog kennels, where dogs stay before and after treatment. A door from the dog kennels leads to a small outdoor exercise area.

Cleaning and hygiene

All tables in the consulting rooms must be disinfected between patients. Bedding from the dog kennels and the cat ward is washed every day in the machine in the prep room. Report any animal that seems to be in pain to the nurse in charge at once. Spare cleaning products are kept on the shelves in the prep room, and empty bottles should be recycled rather than thrown away.

Dealing with clients

Owners are often worried about their pets, so always greet them politely and explain any delay. If a client becomes upset or angry, ask the practice manager for help. Never discuss one client's animal with another client.