Interpersonal Communication for Veterinary Technicians - Research Paper Example

Interpersonal Communication for Veterinary Technicians Veterinary technologists and technicians mainly work in animal clinics and hospitals, while others work in wildlife rehabilitation facilities, biomedical research laboratories or zoos (McCarthy 4). They give nursing care to animals, conduct laboratory diagnostic testing, collect blood samples and assist veterinarians during surgery and examinations. Every state, in the United States, mandates some kind of official credentials, registration, licensing or certification, which often have similar requirements. Training for vet technologists mainly involves graduating from a 4-year bachelor's degree, while technicians complete a 2-year associate's degree program (McCarthy 4). This paper will discuss some of the techniques of being a loyal listener. It will also discuss what veterinary technicians would do to clarify what their clients or coworkers are saying to them. Also, the paper will describe some ways that veterinary technicians can communicate so that a client or coworker will listen and fully understand what they are saying. Finally, the paper will give examples, which relate to dealing with clients or coworkers in a veterinary hospital setting such as discharging a surgical patient, euthanasia, and so on. Question 1 All successful people and every rewarding relationship became so by using proper communication skills as an element of the process (Hackethal 1). A majority of people know someone whose communication skills they admire. This is because people with proper communication skills get their point across effectively. Nevertheless, listening is a part of communication, which normally gets short shrift in support of talking. Professionally or personally, most individuals could use some upgrading in their listening techniques (Hackethal 1). Some of the techniques of becoming a proper listener are paying attention, not interrupting your speaker, reflecting on what is communicated and asking questions. Paying Attention Listening is not only waiting, for your turn, to talk or speak. It is being dynamically involved in the procedure and absorbing both the apparent and the subtle information being provided (Hackethal 1). People must have exchanged a smile or made some eye contact prior to talking or they would not have gotten as far as a conversation. They should keep this up. A veterinary technician should keep his or her eyes on the individual who is talking. In order to be a loyal listener, a person should note the body language of his or her speaker. People should also respond to the speaker’s body language with their own like nodding, smiling or shaking their head in sympathy when appropriate. A listener should also look alive and be involved in the conversation (Hackethal 1). Not Interrupting Your Speaker Some individuals, under the excuse of portraying interest, disrupt a speaker's train of ideas (Alman 1). Such a conversation would go as, "So when I was walking to work...” says Speaker A. "At what time did you leave the house?" interrupts Speaker B. In most cases, people who interrupt others think they are being supportive (Alman 1). "So I used painkillers to ease my headache...." The other interrupts with "I know a better way of curing headache." In order to become a proper listener, listeners should hold their questions and comments till the speaker is done, or at least stops to take a breath (McCarthy 6). Reflecting On What Is Communicated A proper listener does not defend. They do not attack others. A majority of individuals, if they feel in any way harassed, perhaps by some generalization they take personally, then they will either defend themselves or attack the listener (Hackethal 1). For instance, people will go on and say, "What do you mean that women are too emotional? I consider myself as quite rational!" Some people will go on to attack the listener by saying, "Women might be emotional, but parts of those emotions are caring and empathy, which most men do not have!!" Unless a person wants to cause a scene and end the discussion by leaving in a huff, just reflect back what the speaker had said (Hackethal 1). Asking Question If a listener cannot get the speaker talking past the monosyllables and the silence or stillness is deafening, then a good listener should ask open-ended questions regarding whatever he or she is sure of the interest of the speaker’s conversation. For instance, the listener could ask the speaker a question such as, "I understand that you collect pre-World War II eggbeaters. Tell me about your best and how you got it." Even the saddest person lights up when talking about a matter that is of passionate interest (McCarthy 12). Also, even the dullest topic can become fascinating when talked about with delight and enthusiasm. Researchers advocate that, as an experiment, people devote 24 hours of each week to practice the above points (Alman 1). Veterinary technicians should be keen to interpret the information their clients or coworkers give them in order to come up with the best results. They should be willing first to listen to what these individuals have to speak about their topic, and their make their judgment (Hackethal 1). Question 2 Understanding what a person is saying is through listening to his or her actual words. Take their words at face value, without trying to read subtext or meaning into them (Alman 1). The best way of understanding what a person is saying is by listening. In order to clarify what a client is saying, I would allow the speaker to explain himself or herself in his or her own way when am trying to understand the speaker. Researchers have confirmed that, if a person interrupts a speaker, or try to finish his or her sentences, then the person will never understand what the speaker is trying to say (McCarthy 14). People do not like to repeat themselves, so it is essential to listen keenly to them the first time they talk. It is also necessary to remember that, most often, speakers try to express some extremely basic desires or needs, or they want to fix a problem. If a listener makes a speaker aware of a problem, then he or she will not likely give the listener sympathy, but the speaker will try to help the listeners solve the problem (Hackethal 1). When a listener understands that a speaker’s desire is not to mull things over vocally, but to, in fact, find answers for problems, the listener will be on his or her way to understanding what the speaker is saying. Finally, in order to clarify what a person is saying, it is essential to read in between the lines of the conversation. I would always be watchful for things, which have been left for cues or unsaid that can help me determine the speaker's true feelings. I would watch the body and facial expressions of the speaker to try to assemble all information I can, not only from the words (Alman 1). Question 3 Getting a listener to comprehend what you are saying can be a tricky task (Hackethal 1). The following steps could help veterinary technicians to assist their coworkers or clients to understand what they are saying. A veterinary technician should ensure that the individual they are trying to talk to is in a pleasant mood as it is difficult to convince someone who is in a not so proper mood. It is also essential not to jump straight to the topic, but first make create something appealing about the conversation with the other person so as to set a perfect ambiance. Such cases could be helpful when veterinary technicians are dealing with people from diverse cultures (McCarthy 17). It is also essential to get your facts or information straight before starting the conversation. They will make certain that there are no cases of confusion as everything will flow out as planned. Also, in order to make my listeners understand what I am saying, it is essential to maintain a polite and persuasive tone, and also not start any argument between the conversations. Also, a convincing speaker maintains calmness all through the conversation (Alman 1). Question 4 Relating to a coworker or client requires a lot of efforts. For instance, a health practitioner has to be patient, loving, diverse and understanding when dealing particularly with clients. They have to be understating to their every need (Alman 1). A veterinary technician should be patient and understanding of their clients and coworkers. Not everybody is built the same way or manner and some individuals are harder to understand than others. If a veterinary technician knows either a coworker or a client, who lacks proper qualities or any signs of appreciation towards your goodwill, then vet technician should give this person time. A majority of individuals will eventually come around to thank you for the work you did (Hackethal 1). Sometimes, vet technicians may encounter a client who they no longer wish to offer their services. Grounds for ending the physician-patient relationship might include constant noncompliance, impoliteness to office personnel, or nonpayment of service bills. Whereas these behaviors can influence the interactive caregiving procedure, they might also identify clients with a propensity to file a claim against veterinary center. To help reduce the risk of a future claim, a vet technician should terminate or discharge a client from the practice. However, there are certain exceptions that apply to terminating a client (McCarthy 4). Vet technician might terminate their professional relationship for any discriminatory matters or in defiance of any rules or laws prohibiting discrimination (Alman 1). A vet technician is not permitted to terminate a client where he or she knows that no other veterinary is currently able to provide the client the type of services or care that the veterinary technician is providing to the client. Works Cited Alman, Isadora. I Hear You: Five Tips On Being A Good Listener. N.p, 2010. Web. Hackethal, Veronica. How to Become a Vet Tech. N.p, 2012. Web. McCarthy, Caroline. Helping Medical Practitioners Enhance Their Listening Skills. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. Read More