How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Virginia

Working as a vet office manager can be highly rewarding and allows you to work alongside your favorite pets.

That said, it’s a highly demanding job and requires someone to be very detail-oriented.

That way, staff can help aid in the well-being of animals.

If you’re interested in a management position, there is no better one than working with animals.

Below, we’ll help introduce you to how to become a vet office manager in Virginia.

Vet Office Manager Duties in Virginia

The duties of a vet office manager will vary depending on the clinic.

However, certain tasks must be completed.

For example, many vet office managers act as the glue to a vet clinic, getting work done even if it’s out of their scope.

That said, it’s highly rewarding, and you’ll help ensure that all staff complete their jobs without any issues.

The main responsibilities include taking phone calls, helping with appointments, bookkeeping, and managing inventory.

You may also need to order inventory when it runs low, discuss changes in supplies, and implement new policies.

As a manager, you may also need to train staff, aid with clerical tasks, and update records.

Other duties and responsibilities may include:

• Reception
• Scheduling
• Maintaining financial records
• Ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations
• Monitoring work staff and performance
• Provide feedback to staff
• Coach or train staff
• Manage staff, such as hiring, recruitment, and more
• Deal with client complaints
• Monitor and maintain inventory
• Keep and update medical records

Licensing Requirements to Become

In the state of Virginia, it’s not necessary to have any formal education or schooling.

However, you must still meet certain requirements to work as a vet office manager.

Those who don’t meet these standards will not be able to complete the duties of a vet office manager.

Step 1: Meet Minimum Requirements

Since the job requires a lot of attention to detail and the management of other individuals, it’s important that you are at least 18 years of age.

However, many 18-year-olds won’t be accepted unless they have prior experience in a management position.

After that, you must demonstrate that you have a high school diploma or equivalent.

A GED program is acceptable as well.

Step 2: Training and Certification

Another way to become a vet office manager is to either have training and experience in a related field or to hold a certificate.

Those looking to become a vet office manager will need to have completed training in similar management positions or hold a certificate for vet office management.

Some clinics may offer on-the-job training, but this is rare.

You may also work in another position at the clinic and then be promoted to vet office manager.

Essentially, you must understand the role and ins and outs of how the clinic works.

Step 3: Continued Education

Continued education is not necessary, but many veterinary offices like to see this or five years’ experience in a similar role.

Degrees in business management, administration, or as a vet tech can be used.

However, two certifications are useful, which are a vet office manager certificate or a vet practice manager certificate.

Either will suffice as long as they are accredited by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).

Vet Office Manager Programs

There aren’t many in-person training programs, but there are many online programs for vet office management.

Below, we’ve included a few online courses and one in-person course.

However, you’ll have to double-check to see that they are accredited accordingly.

Virginia’s Community Colleges

Virginia’s Community Colleges offer an Animal Hospital Management and Client Relations course.

The course offers basic concepts of business procedures and veterinary practice.

There are three hours per week, and there are three credits.

For more information, students will need to contact the institution.

Ed2Go

Ed2Go is an online platform that offers self-paced online certificate programs that are self-paced.

Currently, Virginia Wesleyan University, Virginia Peninsula Community College, and Central Virginia Community College offer the Ed2Go program through their institutions.

The course is completely online and allows students to start whenever they please.

The program spans over 382 course hours and must be completed in 12 months.

The program covers topics such as office management skills, QuickBooks, and more.

Tuition costs are $4,870, but may sometimes be found at discounted prices.

If a student can’t pay for the course upfront, then they can try to apply to Affirm, which breaks up the payments.

Affirm allows students to pay as low as $184 a month, but not everyone will qualify.

Salary

The average vet office manager’s salary is $85,921, but ranges between $76,129 to $94,636.

On the low end, the salary is averaged at $67,214, with the high end being $102,571.

The pay is often dependent upon location, skills, and expertise.

Regional Salary in Virginia