The True Cost of Prolonged Vacancies
When veterinary clinic owners say, “We can’t afford a recruiter right now,” they might not realize the hidden costs of outdated hiring practices are already draining their resources.
In today’s competitive market, relying on traditional methods to fill roles like veterinarians, accredited technicians, and practice managers can lead to prolonged vacancies, operational inefficiencies, and lost revenue.
Partnering with a specialized recruiter like Veterinary Solutions Services isn’t just a cost—it’s an investment that pays off quickly, ensuring clinics can thrive with the right team in place.
The veterinary hiring landscape has evolved dramatically over the past few years. With a growing shortage of professionals—reports indicate a 15% shortfall in veterinarians and a 20% gap in credentialed technicians nationwide, according to ezyVet—clinics face fierce competition for top talent.
Traditional methods, like posting a job and waiting for applications, often result in roles remaining vacant for six months or more.
This delay overworks existing staff, leading to burnout (a 2023 study by ezyVet found 62% of veterinary professionals report burnout due to staffing shortages), reduces appointment capacity, and compromises patient care quality.
Additionally, ineffective hiring practices—such as offering below-market salaries, requiring excessive interview rounds, or imposing rigid in-office schedules—can deter qualified candidates and harm your clinic’s reputation, making future hiring even harder. Yet beyond operational headaches and burnout, the real measure lies in the dollars you’re leaking each month.
How Unfilled Roles Drain Your Bottom Line
The financial impact of these challenges is staggering.
An unfilled veterinarian role can cost a clinic $10,000–$20,000 in lost revenue per month, as fewer complex cases, surgeries, and diagnostics are performed.
An accredited technician vacancy reduces appointment capacity by up to 25%, directly impacting revenue, while the absence of a practice manager can lead to operational inefficiencies, increasing costs by 5–10% due to poor scheduling, inventory mismanagement, and staff turnover.
Bad hires compound the problem—industry data from Rectangle Health suggests that replacing a poor hire can cost up to 30% of their annual salary, with additional losses from disrupted team morale and dissatisfied clients.
A 2022 survey by AAHA found that 45% of veterinary clinics reported losing clients due to staffing shortages or poor hires, further damaging their bottom line.
How Veterinary Solutions Services Delivers ROI
Veterinary Solutions Services offers a solution that turns these challenges into opportunities.
Our proactive approach accesses exclusive databases, such as proprietary networks, professional associations, and specialty platforms, reaching 73% of veterinary professionals who aren’t actively searching but are open to the right opportunity—talent you’d likely miss on your own.
Veterinary Solutions Services can increase candidate applications by up to 30%, filling roles faster and more effectively.
For example, a clinic hiring a veterinarian with the help of Veterinary Solutions Services can expect to see a return on investment within 2–4 months, as the new DVM increases surgical and diagnostic revenue, potentially adding $15,000–$25,000 in monthly income.
An accredited technician can boost appointment capacity by 25%, generating profit within 3–6 months, while a practice manager can streamline operations, potentially increasing profitability by 10–15% within the first year through better scheduling, inventory management, and staff coordination.
The recruiting fees pay for themselves quickly. With a veterinarian, technician, or manager in place, your clinic can see profit gains that far exceed our fees, often within the first few months, while avoiding the hidden costs of prolonged vacancies or poor hires.
For instance, filling a veterinarian role in 6 weeks instead of 6 months saves $60,000–$120,000 in lost revenue alone—more than covering typical recruiting costs.
Beyond financial gains, our recruiting process enhances your clinic’s reputation by ensuring a seamless hiring experience, attracting top talent, and allowing you to focus on patient care rather than the time-consuming tasks of screening, vetting, and outreach.
Next Steps for Your Clinic
The market has changed and so has the talent pool.
A 2024 industry report by USA Today found that 68% of veterinary professionals prioritize work-life balance, competitive pay, and professional growth when choosing a role—criteria often unmet by clinics using outdated hiring strategies.
By partnering with Veterinary Solutions Services, you’re not just filling roles; you’re building a high-performing team that drives long-term success.
Let us help you find the veterinarians, technicians, and practice managers who will elevate your clinic, ensuring you stay ahead in a competitive industry.
Struggling to hire veterinarians, technicians, or practice managers? Outdated hiring methods can cost clinics thousands in lost revenue—$10,000–$20,000/month for an unfilled DVM role alone—and lead to burnout and client loss. Veterinary Solutions Services reaches 73% of passive candidates, fills roles 30% faster, and helps you profit within 2–6 months, making our fees a smart investment. Ready to build your dream team? Click below to get started!
References
ezyVet. (2023). Veterinary Industry Report: Workforce Shortages & Burnout Veterinary Solutions In…
Rectangle Health. (2022). Industry Data on Bad-Hire Costs Veterinary Solutions In…
American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). (2022). Workforce Survey: Client Loss Due to Staffing Gaps
USA Today. (2024). Veterinary Professionals’ Priorities Report