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    TELEPHONE COURTESY AND CLIENT SERVICE
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    Course Description
    How critical is the telephone to the success of a practice? How long would a practice be in business without one? Yet, as critical as the telephone is to keeping the doors open, few hospital employees fully understand the impact staff telephone skills have on client relations and practice growth.

    This two-week course will instill a greater respect for the power of the telephone. Utilizing content from the customized handbook from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) students learn practical skills for handling specific types of callers and polishing telephone etiquette. At the end of the course, students will be more confident in using the telephone as a practice-building tool..


    Learning Objectives
    • To understand the basics of providing high quality client service
    • To learn proper telephone techniques
    • To manage the client's perception and understand the essential role client service plays in the success of your practice


    Course Content
    1. Week ONE will cover:
      1. Section I - Quality Client Service
        1. The Veterinary Team
        2. Client Service Is Everyone's Responsibility
        3. The Importance Of The Telephone In Your Practice
        4. Progress Check
      2. Section II - Proper Telephone Techniques
        1. Handling The Telephone
        2. Your Voice Inflection
        3. Your Best Voice
        4. Addressing The Caller
        5. Answering the Telephone
        6. Effective Listening
        7. Managing Objections
        8. The Art Of Negotiation
        9. Progress Check
        10. The Service Follow Up Call
        11. Asking Questions
        12. Making The Outbound Service Call
        13. Delivering Bad News
        14. Recognizing & Managing Caller Behavior
        15. Managing The Client Callback
        16. Some Statements To Avoid
        17. Closing The Conversation
        18. Progress Check
    2. Week TWO will cover:
      1. Section III - Understanding Client Needs
        1. What Your Client Wants
        2. Attitude Is Your Key to Success
        3. Progress Check
      2. Section IV - Managing The Client's Perception
        1. The Client's Perception: An Exercise
        2. The Price Shopper Call
        3. Your Telephone Service Skills Inventory
        4. Developing A Personal Action Plan
        5. Final Examination


    Required Materials
    No additional materials provided - all course content is online.

    Students that prefer to read material in text form may wish to purchase the handbook that comprises the general content. The handbook has been well received by students in past sessions and makes an excellent addition to private or practice libraries.

    If you wish to buy the text, information is provided below in the Course Writer's section of this page.


    Testimonials
    ... It put a mirror to my actions with clients and taught me how to better deal with them.

    ... Learning how to respond to the different types of clients and to learn the difference between questions, statements, and objections

    ... Good basic information. I would use this with my reception staff for sure. the customer sservice aspect would be good hospital wide.

    ... I enjoyed reading the interaction between practice member/client. I feel I provide quality customer service, but I see I can improve also.

    ... I found it very enlightening to be able to see other participants answers/comments along with the instructor's critiques and suggestions.

    ... I REALLY appreciated the instructor's feedback and the opportunity to read the responses of others.

    ... The most beneficial aspects of the course were the scripted phone conversations and the excercises. The excercises really got you thinking about how you view yourself and how others view you on a daily at the front desk.

    ...It was my first experience doing an online course. I was nervous, but it turned out great. I feel better about my skills as a receptionist and feel I have a better attitude. I learned some skills that will be helpful when I am dealing with a difficult client or I am having a bad day. Thank you. The "Old dog did learn a few new tricks"!!





    Student Login Requirements
    VetMedTeam courses are asynchronous - they do not contain real time components. Students log in while a course is in session at times convenient to personal schedules.


    Course Completion Requirements
    This course consists of exercises from the text as well as online discussion board assignments and case studies that give you the opportunity to interact with your instructor.


    Recommended Student Criteria
    This course is appropriate for all members of the veterinary healthcare team. The average student spends 3 to 5 hours per week in order to complete all the mandatory requirements.


    Continuing Education Credits
    This course is approved for 5 CE credits toward the continuing education requirement for the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager program offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).




    Course Writer
    The VetMedTeam Telephone Courtesy and Client Service Course has been developed in cooperation with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), utilizing content from the AVMA customized handbook entitled “Telephone Courtesy and Client Service” originally written by Mr. Lloyd Finch.

    The handbook may be purchased from the AVMA via AVMA Handbooks


    Course Instructor
    Tina Graham, CVPM Tina Graham, CVPM
    Tina Graham's introduction to practice management came in 1990 when she was hired by Dr. Charles A. Wasicek. Even though Dr. Wasicek practiced human medicine, Tina gained a great deal of experience from her time there. Her pinnacle achievement at his employ was automating his practice, computers and software, to include records and billing.

    In 1997, Tina was hired by her current employers, Dr. David Plante & Dr. Teresa Dewey. Tina was very enthusiastic about working in veterinary medicine, and Dr. Plante's practice afforded her many opportunities to grow. Her first challenge came in 1998 when the practice went through AAHA certification. Much of the successful certification was due to Tina's work with hospital policies and procedures. Tina's next challenge was moving the practice from a 1700 sq ft facility, into a new, ultra modern 6300 sq ft facility. Along with this move came the upgrades to the IT side of the practice, including new computers, networking and major upgrades to AviMark and Quickbooks. Tina again had to take the new practice through AAHA certification in 2003. Today, the North Country Animal Health Center is the premier veterinary practice in Northern NY dealing with domestic animals and exotics and the only one North of Syracuse, NY to hold AAHA certification.

    Tina began seeking certification as Veterinary Practice Manager in 2000, knowing that it would benefit her and the practice. After two years of study she successfully tested and gained the title of CVPM. She would highly recommend the CVPM program for anyone seeking or expanding a career in practice management.

    Tina's continuing education consists of attending many conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as participating in on-line courses.

    Tina lives in Watertown, NY with her husband Roger, daughter Windi, dog Steven and her cats Sammy, Otto and Princess. She enjoys camping, boating and crafts.


    Upcoming Sessions
    November 15, 2010 - Registration deadline is 11:00 PM Eastern November 17, 2010




    Pricing
    Course Price: $88.00



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