STAF147-0412: PM Focus Series: Application of Social Media in Veterinary Practice - Continual Education

STAF147-0412: PM Focus Series: Application of Social Media in Veterinary Practice

INSTRUCTOR(S): Rebecca Rose, AAS, CVT

COURSE OPEN: April 17-May 4, 2012

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Tuesday, April 24, 2012; 8:00pm-9:30pm ET (USA)
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter
Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a practice session prior to the first Real Time Session. Times and dates will be listed in your course confirmation email. Expect to spend up to 1 hour at one of the 2-4 practice sessions held prior to the first Real Time Session.

* The instructor for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend a Practice Session.

Level and Prerequisites: This advanced course is geared toward veterinary practice managers especially those working as practice managers and/or toward their CVPM. This practice management course is part of a series of focus topics to highlight specific features of management in a single Real Time Session. Prior participation in the Practice Management 101 course is recommended, but not required. The course format is that of a VINgnette where interaction in the message boards discussing case scenarios will be required to enhance the single Real Time Session. Participants should plan on this more intensive study.
VSPN CE Course. This course has been submitted for RACE approval for veterinarians and veterinary technicians and is VHMA approved for CVPM credits.

Course Description:
Facebook recently surpassed Google as the largest online community for searching and passing of information. Can social media give your practice a return on investment and help get the practice's name out in the community? What is your call to action and how can it improve the health of the pets visiting your practice? This course is created to build your awareness of social media and how it can be a win/win situation not only for you, but also for the pets and clients you serve and your hospital. Participants will learn how to prioritize social media efforts, identify the relationships they wish to build upon, and connect with clients in fun and informative ways. Content will include a large social marketing resource list.

This course will consist of one (1) ninety (90) minute Real Time Session, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for a course certificate of completion.
** The lecture portion of this course will combine both text and audio presentation. Please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course, the participant should be able to

outline the evolution of social media.
distinguish between blogging, Facebook, HootSuite, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn, SMS, and QR codes.
identify a well-designed Facebook page verses a poorly utilized/designed page.
interpret and build upon the relationships social media creates.
define and categorize SMART goals and determine their focus on your site(s).
identify the parameters of social media etiquette.
implement cross-leveraging of sites.
create a job description and title involving social media.
create a clinic social networking policy.
compile a report to the team and management regarding the goals and outcomes established for social media.
compile user statistics for the social media outlets the clinic utilizes.
evaluate and utilize resources for information and continued expansion of social media as it evolves.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Texbook(s):
There are no textbooks for this class; however their will be extensive links, books, and articles included library resources.

About the Instructor: Rebecca Rose has been a CVT for several years and is a current practice consultant for Red Valley Rose Consulting, LLC. She has authored two texts on veterinary technician careers, writes peer reviewed articles, is a contributing author in a text book for veterinary technicians as well as sits on several professional councils and committees.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session April 24): Application of Social Media in the Veterinary Practice
Required viewing: Evolution of Social Media (library link available on the course main page upon course open)
Content: Participants will learn the differences between various social media platforms, set goals for building their own sites, determine the focus of the content, and how to measure successes, celebrate accomplishments, and teach the team proper Internet etiquette. Component requirements for client connection, both fun and informative, as well as interaction with other practices will be covered and include discussion of the growing need for continued understanding of interaction in the future.

CE HOURS: 2.5 (1.5 hours of lecture, 1 hour for in-depth interaction of case discussions on the message boards)

Tuition: $50 ($45 early bird special if enrolled by April 3, 2012).
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status).
** To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first Real Time Session unless otherwise noted. If the first Real Time Session is on a weekend, course will close on the Friday before the first Real Time Session.

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

TO ENROLL:
>Enroll now

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.
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.
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.
For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org). Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Note: "This course submitted for approval for 2.5 continuing education credits in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education." Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information. (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).

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/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
**Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).

** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out https://www.vin.com/CE/VSPN/VSPN_M02231.htm

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & VSPN CE Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

800.700.4636 | CEonVIN@vin.com | 530.756.4881 | Fax: 530.756.6035
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