Office Equipment and Maintenance
The veterinary assistant must do his or her part in maintaining the equipment in the office that is used to run the facility. Each employee must be trained in the proper use of equipment and know the various maintenance procedures that should be followed with all of the equipment in the facility. Proper use and maintenance may include:
- a daily or weekly cleaning or calibration routine
- replacing paper in printers, photocopiers, and fax machines
- replacing ink or toner cartridges in printers, photocopiers, and fax machines
- learning how to properly turn each piece of equipment on and off
- learning how to operate machinery and equipment that the employee is not familiar with
- learning how to take readings on various pieces of veterinary and laboratory equipment
- learning how to identify technical problems
Most offices will contain a computer system, fax machine, copier, scanner, and other technology. The veterinary assistant should request training on any of the machines that might not be familiar, and most employees will need at least the minimum amount of training on the various software programs used in the facility. The more that the veterinary assistant knows how to operate, the more valuable he or she is as an employee and team member. Everyone in the office should know what to do in case of equipment malfunction. Since not all products are purchased at or serviced by the same company, a list of who to call for repair and service should be kept and made available to all of the facility employees.
Never wait until the problem is out of control - report even the smallest malfunctions so that issues can be immediately resolved and perhaps extend the life of the equipment. Take the initiative to learn as much as possible about the equipment and technology available in the facility.
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