Veterinarians need office managers to manage the office so they can take care of animals.
Animal care and managing the office are separate worlds.
Some general knowledge would be helpful, but billing and administrative tasks that keep the operation running smoothly are the priority.
There may be smaller clinics where the office manager does some hands-on animal care, and licensing would become an issue.
For the most part, running the business is what an office manager does.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Maine
The most important thing an office manager does is keep up with the finances.
This would include billing, paying bills, making sure the numbers add up, and the books are in good order.
The office manager would also keep records of all the patients and owners of the animals.
Those two things would be the essentials in keeping the business operating smoothly, both for the staff and for the owners of the animals in their care.
The office manager would also be in charge of the staff, which could include hiring and firing employees.
The office manager would likely be in the human resources department.
Ordering supplies and keeping the clinic stocked would be another area under the office manager’s watch.
Keeping the facilities up would also be an area of concern, and the manager might be responsible for hiring cleaning staff or contracting lawn maintenance.
Marketing and community outreach would also fall under the office manager’s umbrella of activities.
The office manager needs to be flexible and wear several different hats.
In larger clinics, more than one person might be needed, and the manager could have a staff member to help.
In smaller, more rural clinics, the manager might do more things, but would not have the volume of work that larger clinics have.
Licensing Requirements
There are no licensing requirements for a veterinary office manager in Maine.
The manager needs various skills, such as typing and using various software.
Demonstrating those skills is more important than licensing.
If an office manager were to take on any animal care duties, such as giving vaccinations or giving out medicine, that person would need a vet tech license, but in most clinics, that is not an issue.
Vet Office Manager Programs
Central Maine Community College in Maine has a veterinary office manager program.
Experience and being able to demonstrate your skills are what matter most.
Experience in office management in general would be a plus, but no specific education requirements exist.
If a person took on animal care duties, they would have to become a licensed Vet Tech, which requires a two-year education program and passing a state exam.
Top 1 Schools in Maine
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Central Maine Community College | 1250 Turner Street, Auburn, ME 04210 US |
Salary
The median salary for a veterinary office manager in Bangor, Maine, is $84,136, ranging from $67,000 to $104,000.
It does not vary a lot, as the salary in the state capital of Augusta is about the same.
The pay level might be a little lower in rural areas.
This is slightly below the national average median of $87,000.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Vet Office Managers in Maine
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Auburn | $87,691 |
| Augusta | $85,544 |
| Bangor | $84,286 |
| Biddeford | $88,157 |
| Lewiston | $87,691 |
| Portland | $88,571 |
| Windham | $88,509 |
| Westbrook | $88,571 |
| South Portland | $88,571 |
| Saco | $88,395 |
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 150 | $93,540 | $44.97 | $135,050 | $58,610 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 110 | $108,530 | $52.18 | $196,000 | $61,310 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 470 | $104,340 | $50.16 | $160,700 | $63,210 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much knowledge about animal healthcare does an office manager need?
The office manager runs the business side, so technically, no animal care knowledge is required.
However, it would be good to be familiar with basic animal healthcare to relate to customers.
Knowledge about basic items such as vaccinations would allow the office manager to answer customer questions in a general way, for instance.
Some general knowledge would also help with things like keeping inventory in stock and helping the operation run smoothly.
What skills does an office manager need?
A veterinary office manager needs to have top-notch organizational skills, as this person is responsible for keeping the operation running well.
This includes doing a lot of things, such as scheduling, record-keeping, and keeping track of supplies.
The office manager needs good communication skills to be a liaison between animal owners and the staff.
The ability to use software like Microsoft, Google Workspace, and any other software programs the office might have would be an essential skill.
How is an office manager's job different in urban areas like Portland than in rural areas?
In larger urban areas, there will be larger clinics with larger staff.
This would involve managing more people.
The focus would likely be on small animals and pets like dogs or cats, and there might be more interaction with customers.
At smaller, rural clinics, there would be fewer people and fewer customer records to keep up with.
The focus might also shift to larger farm animals like cows.
At a smaller clinic, the office manager might have even more tasks to perform and could even get involved in some animal healthcare.
What specific knowledge would an office manager need in Maine?
One item specific to Maine would be the weather.
The office manager would need to anticipate winter-type weather and adjust the office accordingly.
Knowing the effects of cold weather on animals could also be helpful when communicating with animal owners.
Maine also has specific laws about rabies vaccinations, and knowing about those would help with customer questions and perhaps with staff as well.
