VSPN STAF122-0819: Communication & Conflict Management Module 1: Communication & Organizational Development

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Enrollment is closed.
Instructor: Heather Howell, RVT, LVT, MBA
Course Open: August 27, 2019-September 27, 2019
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesdays, September 3, 10 and 17, 2019; 9:00-10:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter

To prepare for your online experience, review the VIN-VSPN CE informational video prior to the course open date.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is open to all veterinary staff with the focus of enabling team members to more effectively communicate and resolve conflicts. All three modules are recommended, but not required, for participation or completion for each individual module.
VSPN CE Course: Open to all veterinary staff. “This program has been approved for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (22-37436) “ This course is approved by VHMA for CVPM credit. (VHMA program # 08-19)

Course Description:
Interpersonal communication and conflict management are essential tools in any business. This course intends to teach office managers, practice managers, veterinarians, and all support staff more effective communication and conflict resolution techniques. The intent is to impart knowledge and techniques that can be utilized with clients as well as coworkers when conflict occurs. The overall goal of all three modules of this series is for the participant to become a more knowledgeable and confident communicator. This module will introduce communication techniques and information about elements and structure of conversation. Listening techniques will also be presented. Organizational development will be discussed in terms of how it affects communication and workplace culture. This module provides the building blocks for communication which will be used when discussing conflict management in Module 2.

Week 1 (Real Time Session September 3): Communication
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Interpret and discuss communication methods and techniques.
  • Discuss methods of more effective communicating.
  • Examine the elements of communication.
  • Consider whether your communication has met your desired outcomes.
Week 2 (Real Time Session September 10): Communication (continued)
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Discuss methods of more effective listening.
  • Identify listening errors.
  • Demonstrate Reflective Listening.
  • Examine empathy and its role in communications.
Week 3 (Real Time Session September 17): Organizational Development
Objectives: Upon completion of this session, the participant should be able to:
  • Identify organizational behavior development and realize how it affects communication and teams.
  • Relate how organizational development and communication affects turnover.
  • Consider methods to facilitate communication between others.
Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.

About the Instructor:
Heather Howell, RVT, LVT, MBA is a credentialed veterinary technician in CA and NV. She received her BS in Animal Science at UC Davis and her MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno. Since 1988, she has worked in all capacities of the veterinary hospital including hospital administrator, practice management consultant, speaker, and instructor. She is also an adjunct professor the Veterinary Technology Bachelor’s program at Tarleton State University.

Total CE Credit: 4.5

Tuition: Member $95($86 early bird special if enrolled by August 13, 2019)
* Enroll in all three modules by September 3, 2019 and receive a 15% discount off the original course price. Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on September 3, 2019, at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

To Enroll:
  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
  4. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 792 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Enrollment is closed

*Note: "This program has been approved for 4.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval. (22-37436)" ; This course has been approved for continual education units toward CVPM requirements through VHMA (08-19).

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 792 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VSPN's upcoming CE courses, check the VSPN Course Catalog.

Lisa Kernaghan, LVT, RVT, CVT, VTS (ECC)
VSPN CE Coordinator

VSPN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 792
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357