Education and Tuition Reimbursement for DePorre Team Members

Continuing Education

At Deporre Veterinary Hospital (DVH), we believe in continuous education for all our team members. As veterinary care evolves, so does the need for ongoing learning to keep up with new procedures, medications, technologies, and communication skills. We are committed to offering our team the best tools and knowledge to provide exceptional service to our clients and care for their pets.

Veterinarians & Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs)

  • CE Requirements: DVMs and LVTs are required to meet the continuing education (CE) hours necessary for recertification every three years.

  • CE Records: Each DVM and LVT is responsible for submitting a record of completed CE hours to the Practice Manager.

  • Reimbursement:

    • Hourly Employees: Receive regular pay and reimbursement for approved CE expenses.

    • Salaried DVMs: Reimbursement is provided per contract terms.

Non-DVM/LVT Employees

  • Tailored CE Opportunities: Supervisors and the Practice Manager will work with non-DVM/LVT employees to customize relevant CE opportunities. These could include conferences, in-clinic training, or online webinars.

Post-CE Learning Requirements

After completing CE, all employees are expected to:

  • Provide a short presentation at a department meeting.

  • Submit a list of sessions attended and a certificate of completion/attendance to the Practice Manager.

CE Approval Process

  • All CE opportunities must be approved in advance by the Practice Owners or the Practice Manager.

Repayment Policy

  • Employees who leave DVH within one year of receiving CE reimbursement will be required to repay all expenses related to CE. This may be deducted from the final paycheck.

  • Repayment Schedule: CE expenses exceeding $750 per year are subject to a one-year repayment period, with 1/12 of the total due on the first of each month.

  • Reasons for Leaving: Includes voluntary departure, involuntary departure, extended layoffs, illness, or relocation.

Tuition Reimbursement

DVH encourages employees to pursue formal education to support their professional growth. Our Tuition Reimbursement Program helps employees further their education with financial support.

Eligibility

  • Employees must have worked at DVH for at least 6 months.

  • Employees must have a favorable work evaluation.

Coverage

  • Work-Related Courses: Employees pursuing degrees or certificates reasonably related to their current job or a veterinary field position may be eligible for reimbursement.

  • Maximum Reimbursement:

    • Employees working 24+ hrs/week: Up to $3,000 per calendar year.

    • Employees working 12-23 hrs/week: Up to $1,000 per calendar year.

Reimbursement Process

  1. Pre-Approval: All tuition reimbursement requests require written approval from Practice Owners or the Practice Manager before enrollment.

  2. Eligible Institutions: Courses must be taken at accredited institutions.

  3. Payment: Reimbursement can be processed as either:

    • Direct payment to the institution, or

    • Reimbursement to the employee with proof of payment.

Post-Program Requirements

  • Course Completion: Employees must submit proof of their grade (C or better) within 60 days of completing the course.

  • Presentation: Provide a short presentation at a department meeting after completing a program or accreditation exam.

  • Accreditation Exams: Reimbursement is only provided after proof of passing the accreditation exam.

Additional Information

  • Tuition Reimbursement is available for one degree per employee.

  • Tuition payments are subject to federal taxes.

  • Modifications to the program may occur on a case-by-case basis, as determined by Practice Owners or the Practice Manager.

Repayment Policy

  • Employees who leave DVH within three years of receiving tuition reimbursement must repay the full amount. The repayment may be deducted from their final paycheck.

  • Repayment Schedule: Tuition expenses exceeding $750 per year are subject to a one-year repayment window, with 1/12 of the repayment due on the first of each month.

Special Tuition Reimbursement for LVTs

  • LVTs hired after July 1, 2021: Eligible for reimbursement for tuition already paid for a recently completed LVT program, up to $3,000 per year.

  • Reimbursement Structure:

    • 25% reimbursement at the 6-month anniversary of hire.

    • Additional 25% reimbursed every 6 months until the tuition is fully reimbursed, provided the employee is in good standing and averaging 36 hrs/week.

Repayment Policy for LVTs

  • LVTs are subject to the same repayment conditions outlined for general employees.