How to Create Veterinary Emergency Group Home

Veterinary Emergency Group

Veterinary Emergency Group: An emergency is any situation that poses an immediate threat to a person’s health, security, property, or environment.

Knowing how to assess the signs that make up an emergency will help you know how to handle it.

In addition, being well-prepared for an emergency will pay off when it’s time to handle any emergency situation.

The job opportunities for veterinary technicians are projected to grow 20% from 2016 to 2026 and they make an average of $33,400 per year.

But what do they do? Veterinary technicians play a key role in the operation of any veterinary hospital.

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Veterinary Emergency Group

They greet clients, help assess a patient’s condition through diagnostic tools such as taking temperatures and conducting blood tests.

And assist the veterinarian with everything from setting broken bones to taking X-rays.

As with other healthcare careers, becoming a vet tech requires intensive training and hands-on experience.

But if you’re willing to put in the hard work and hours and you love animals, then all of your efforts will be worth it.

A group home can refer to many things, but it generally is a site that provides twenty-four-hour non-medical care in a structured environment.

 They often focus on the elderly, people with mental or physical disabilities.

Or those dealing with substance abuse.

Starting a group home can lead to a rewarding career helping people in need.

Veterinary Emergency Group

Identify skills that will help you in your career.

Though there is always room for improvement.

And you can go on to develop the qualities necessary for being a veterinary technician.

If you already possess the qualities you need to excel at the job, then you have an advantage.

Here are some qualities that you should posses:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. You will need to be clear and efficient in the way you communicate with others. Knowing how to delegate and take direction are also essential skills. On the job, you will spend a lot of time communicating with your supervisor, animal owners (who can sometimes be quite upset), and coworkers.
• You may also counsel pet owners on how to train and take care of their pets.
• So you’ll need to be able to communicate clearly while putting people at ease.
  

  Veterinary Emergency Group

• Compassion. You will probably be dealing with some sick pets and their worried owners, and you’ll need to have empathy for them.
• This includes being understanding and forgiving the pet owner if they become angry, yells at you, or treat you rudely due to stress about their pet.
• Attention to detail. You have to be extremely precise when you record information, administer medication to pets and perform diagnostic tests.
• Dexterity. You’ll have to handle animals of various sizes, medical instruments, and laboratory equipment with great care. You’ll also perform a variety of tasks that require you to be extremely dexterous, such as giving anesthesia to animals, taking x-rays, and doing dental work.
• Problem-solving skills. You’ll need to have enough knowledge and the ability to think outside the box to identify injuries and illnesses and to know how to properly treat your patients.

Comparing Your Vision to Reality

Assess your goals.

There is a growing demand for group homes in the U.S.

Due in large part to the growing elderly population.

Along with increasing numbers of other adults and youths who can benefit from this setting.

Demand, of course, means an opportunity to make money.

But don’t expect starting a group home to be your path to fast and easy riches.

• In all honesty, if your primary goal is anything other than to help vulnerable people, running a group home probably isn’t for you.
• The job requires hard work, long hours, significant expense, and ample frustration, so you need to be able to find your reward in the good you’re doing for others.
• Think about who you want to serve with your group home. Seniors?
• The disabled? At-risk children? Despite some similarities, each option offers its own unique challenges and rewards.
• You may want to visit several types of group homes to get a feel for the differences.

Analyze the local market.

You probably wouldn’t open a pizza shop in a town that already has a half-dozen of them, unless perhaps you had some unique “angle” by which to differentiate yours from the rest.

The same principle holds true for group homes — you need to be aware of what the market needs.

• Conduct a “needs assessment” of the local area in which you hope to start your group home. How many similar homes exist in the area?
• What is their average occupancy level? Is there a need for more?
• Can you provide a group home setting that will distinguish you from the pack?
• Here, as with numerous other times during this process, you should contact the government agencies that oversee group homes in your area (this will vary by jurisdiction). Ask if there is a need for another group home, and if so, what type is most in demand. You can also contact local social service organizations, hospitals, probation offices, and such for insights into group home needs in the area.
  

  Veterinary Emergency Group

Prepare for opposition.

You may assume that everyone supports the idea of group homes.

But you’ll find that not to be the case. Some opposition is based on politics.

Some on concerned about the effectiveness and some can be based on fears of upsetting the local neighborhood dynamic.

• There is, in fact, some political momentum in the U.S. to cut federal funding for group homes for children, based on examples of abuse and exploitation and questions about their effectiveness.
• You may well find opposition among local homeowners when it comes time to locate your group home.
• Even if you’re looking to serve only senior citizens, some people reflexively oppose the notion of having any sort of group home in their midst, often citing the potential risk to property values.
• When the time comes, make sure you have all your legal “ducks in a row,” and also work on soothing neighborhood nerves by explaining the purpose and need for the group home and the provisions you will make to be a beneficial neighbor.
  

  Veterinary Emergency Group

Create a business plan.

Whether you’re starting a group home, a grocery store, or a gardening service.

It is always a good idea to draw up a detailed business plan that outlines the goals, needs, opportunities, and obstacles for your new enterprise.

A well-constructed business plan will serve as your group home’s guidebook as it gets off the ground — or may even convince you to change your plans.

• A business plan is often viewed as a sales pitch for potential investors but serves a useful purpose even if you aren’t seeking financial support.
• See the detailed article How to Write a Business Plan for information on creating one, including the following listing of common contents:
  • Title Page and Table of Contents.
  • Executive Summary, in which you summarize your vision for the company.
  • General Company Description, in which you provide an overview of your company and the service it provides to its market.
  • Products and Services, in which you describe, in detail, your unique product or service.
  • Marketing Plan, in which you describe how you’ll bring your product to its consumers.
  • Operational Plan, in which you describe how the business will be operated on a day-to-day basis.
  • Management and Organization, in which you describe the structure of your organization and the philosophy that governs it.
  • Financial Plan, in which you illustrate your working model for finances and your need from investors.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (https://www.sba.gov/) and similar small business support entities can also offer guidance on developing a business plan.
  

  Veterinary Emergency Group

Examine your finances.

As with any other small business, it takes a significant investment to get a new group home off the ground.

And you probably don’t have enough money just lying around to fund the enterprise yourself.

Use your business plan and a realistic assessment of your personal finances as a starting point for determining your financing needs.

• Along with guidance for your business plan, the U.S. Small Business Administration also offers a wealth of information on the process and expectations for securing small business loans from financial institutions.
• Inquire with the local and state agencies responsible for overseeing group homes in your jurisdiction, to see if there are grants or low-interest loans available.
• Don’t be afraid to get creative in securing start-up funding for your group home.
• The options can range from crowdfunding to renting out part of your residence.
• Borrowing from friends and family is often an option as well, although you must balance its benefits with the possible awkwardness that can arise from imposing a business relationship on a personal one.

Navigating the “Red Tape”

Build a relationship with the relevant government agencies.

Research the licensing process in your location.

Identify relevant federal, state, and local regulations.

Do you know the requirements for health and food inspections in Florida? Or fire marshal’s certification in Connecticut?

Or first aid / CPR training requirements for your employees, regardless of where you are located? And what kind of business permits do you need? It can seem like an endless maze of bureaucracy.

• Start by contacting your local (such as county) department of health, or human services, or social services, or whatever other unit seems most likely to deal with the operation of group homes in your area. Step up to the state and federal levels as warranted.
• Ask lots of questions, and be very patient. Remember why you want to render this valuable service to your community. It can never hurt to solicit guidance from existing group home operators as well.

Veterinary Emergency Group

Apply for non-profit status and obtain insurance.

Depending upon your location, one or both of these may not be legally necessary, but they are essential steps nonetheless.

Take every opportunity to protect the time, effort, and money you are investing in your group home.

• Unfortunately but not surprisingly, establishing non-profit status in the U.S. is not a quick and easy process.
• You need to create a corporate entity by filing Articles of Incorporation with your state.
• Then begin work on the lengthy Form 1023 provided by the IRS, then, if approved, circle back to the state level to ensure your exemption from state taxation.
• You may find it beneficial to hire an attorney well-versed in this process.
• Check to determine whether your state requires insurance coverage for your group home.
• but make sure you obtain sufficient insurance covering liability, fire, and theft, among other areas.
  

  Veterinary Emergency Group

Prepare to become an employer.

No matter the size of your planned group home, you’re going to need to hire some help.

Before actually engaging in the hiring process, though, it is advisable to “put your ducks in a row” regarding the various forms and requirements.

• This SBA article and this IRS publication are good starting points regarding the paperwork and recordkeeping required to hire an employee in the U.S.
• The many requirements include:
  • Completing Form I-9, which verifies an employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S.
  • Providing Form W-4, which determines federal tax withholding for each employee.
  • Determining your individual state’s requirements regarding new hire reporting, tax reporting, and worker’s compensation insurance.
  • Establishing a functional record-keeping operation so you can keep track of your many responsibilities as an employer.

Establishing Your Home

Find the right home site.

Once you’ve jumped through a sufficient number of bureaucratic hoops.

It may finally be time to establish your actual group home.

If you have not already identified a good location, do so now.

while keeping in mind potential roadblocks.

• Familiarize yourself with local zoning regulations, so you know where you can legally establish a group home. Also, look into local and state requirements for group home facilities; in Connecticut, for instance, there are specific square footage requirements for resident bedroom sizes.
• You may face opposition from local residents who are not keen to have a group home in their midst. They will often cite safety concerns, decreased property values, or even traffic and parking problems as reasons for opposition. Even if you have verified your legal right to establish your home, be prepared to explain and defend (in a neighborly manner) the benefits your group home will offer to the community.

Determine your budget.

As with any business, it pays to have a clear breakdown of your likely income and expenses in place well before you actually open your doors.

This process will likely make it more clear just how dependent your group home will be on government reimbursement for your services.

• Basically, don’t expect to make big money by operating a group home.
• Focus on the good work you are doing for those in need.
  

  Veterinary Emergency Group

Hire good people.

Hopefully, you have already prepared yourself for the process of hiring employees, and now you can focus on finding the right people to fill the positions.

Hiring good employees is at least as much of an art as it is a science.

But there are steps you can take to improve your odds of making strong hires for your group home.

• Finding people with (positive) experience working in a group home setting is great, of course, but don’t automatically exclude everyone without experience.
• Consider educational backgrounds and training, as well as temperament and personality traits. Working in a group home setting requires lots of patience, perseverance, and compassion; it takes the right kind of person with the right kind of attitude to succeed.
• At the interview, asking questions like “Can you provide an example of a problem that you successfully solved?” may offer insights into a potential employee’s ambition, ingenuity, and work ethic.
• Keep in mind that such questions are common, however, and the interviewee may have prepared stock answers already. (An inability to answer effectively is thus a bad sign.) In addition, try to think up a few problem-solving hypotheticals, for instance, that are specific to the group home setting (“How would you deal with a resident that is / says / does …?”).

Get a “host letter.”

Once you’ve done all the paperwork and planning, and are ready to open your home.

You’ll need to get the “stamp of approval” from your local government authority responsible for group homes.

With this “host letter” (or similarly-styled document, based on your location).

The local social/human services department will direct prospective residents your way.

• For example, if you are operating a group home for abused children, it will be essential to your survival as a business that such children “in the system” be located with you.
• Depending upon your location, a legitimate “host letter” (or similar) may be required in order to receive reimbursements.
• Inquire with the local government authority responsible for group homes regarding the requirements and process for acquiring this document.

Prepare to open for business.

Opening a group home isn’t the same as opening an ice cream parlor or repair shop.

But any new small business that wants to survive needs to make a strong start.

You’ve been laying the groundwork for a successful opening all along.

But you need to spread the word of your opening and make sure the initial experience is a positive one.

• How to Open a Small Business offers a nice range of general advice on the topic, much of which is relevant to the group home experience.
• Advertising is important, even if logo balloons and prize giveaways may not be right for your group home’s grand opening. But, spreading the word about your business through traditional, digital, and social media methods is still valuable.
• For group homes, in particular, making connections with the proper government agencies and community organizations — charitable, religious, educational, and so forth — may be your most vital form of advertising.