Working with animals is a career that will make you feel happy and fulfilled, but not everyone wants to attend veterinary school.
Luckily, there are multiple job positions in a veterinary clinic that allow you to work alongside animals.
One of those roles happens to be a vet office manager, which is essentially a manager of the veterinary clinic.
If you’re interested in becoming one or learning more, then we’ll walk you through the process of how you can become one in Washington.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Washington
Vet office manager duties include a wide range of tasks, mainly making sure that everything runs smoothly inside the clinic.
They have a variety of tasks, but their main responsibilities include scheduling appointments, bookkeeping, and aiding clients with any necessary needs.
On the other hand, various duties include managing inventory, training recruits, and helping implement policies.
Various other duties that a vet office manager may do:
- 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 Washington, you won’t need any degree to become a vet office manager.
That said, there are still certain skills that employers look for before hiring.
This mainly includes experience in business management or other managerial positions.
Below, we’ll highlight what you’ll need to work as a vet office manager.
Step 1: Meet Minimum Requirements
To work as a vet office manager, you will need to first meet the minimum requirements.
The minimum requirements are that you have a high school diploma or a GED.
After that, you’ll need to be over the age of 18 and have prior experience.
Experience working in management roles or similar.
Step 2: Education or Training
To work as a vet office manager, you’ll need either managerial skills or to complete an educational program.
Many students tend to opt for certificates, but you can also get experience working on the job.
In some areas, you may be able to find clinics that will allow you to shadow a manager or learn while you’re on the job.
However, that is very rare and shouldn’t be expected.
Alternatively, having relevant experience working in similar careers can also suffice.
Most of the time, veterinary clinics will look for applicants who have experience with bookkeeping, management, or customer service.
If you’re familiar with Microsoft Office and other applications, then you’ll be able to apply.
Step 3: Optional Continuing Education
If you can’t find a place to gain management skills, then you can alternatively attend an education program.
For example, many choose to opt for certificate programs, but certain degrees are often better.
Continuing education certificates include the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association’s (VHMA) Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certificate.
However, any management degree can suffice.
Vet Office Manager Programs
While not necessary, attending an education program can be a great way to gain skills to qualify for the position.
For example, you can attend a certificate program in case you can’t find any on-the-job training or relevant experience.
That said, there are limited options in Washington state for degree programs.
1. Community Colleges of Spokane
The Community Colleges of Spokane takes 450 hours to complete and has a variable length of completion.
Most students will need to complete it within six months or longer.
The courses cover learning key skills relevant to working as a vet office manager.
Some include learning Microsoft Office, Office Management, and QuickBooks Certified User Exams.
The cost of tuition is $5,595, and students will need to register for a waitlist.
There are only 100 spaces in the class, so signing up early is key to getting a seat.
The course is self-paced, and students will need to study on their own.
2. Clover Park Technical College
Clover Park Technical College offers an online veterinary office manager course hosted by Ed2Go.
The program includes 382 hours and must be completed within 12 months.
The course is self-paced, but students will be able to contact professors if they have any questions.
Program-wise, students will learn to assist veterinary technicians and veterinarians.
In addition, students will also gain relevant skills for being a veterinary office manager.
The course also includes business and management training.
Currently, the price for the course is $4,870, but it sometimes goes on sale.
Students who can’t afford upfront payments may contact Affirm to see if they qualify for low monthly payments.
Top 2 Schools in Washington
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community Colleges of Spokane | 1810 N Greene St, Spokane, WA 99217, United States |
| Clover Park Technical College | 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, USA |
Salary
The average vet office manager salary is $94,675, but it ranges between $76,220 to $117,949.
The higher end of the pay often reflects those living in highly populated areas, as vet office managers are in higher demand.
That said, the average to low salary should be expected in other areas besides Seattle.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Vet Office Managers in Washington
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Auburn | $91,723 |
| Bellevue | $94,112 |
| Bellingham | $87,713 |
| Bremerton | $92,405 |
| Olympia | $89,590 |
| Spokane | $87,030 |
| Yakima | $86,262 |
| Vancouver | $88,651 |
| Tacoma | $91,723 |
| Seattle | $94,113 |
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 40 | $125,360 | $60.27 | $181,740 | $77,100 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 30 | $124,220 | $59.72 | $164,690 | $80,450 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 100 | $123,520 | $59.38 | $165,940 | $93,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,880 | $156,890 | $75.43 | $231,770 | $91,020 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 120 | $119,990 | $57.69 | $170,610 | $66,200 |
| Yakima, WA | 30 | $122,200 | $58.75 | $163,100 | $82,000 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between a vet office manager vs vet practice manager in Washington?
There isn’t any “formal” difference between the two; one is higher up and has more responsibilities, such as managing multiple clinics.
A vet practice manager is responsible for higher-level duties and has higher education.
On the other hand, a manager will only oversee management and administrative functions in a vet office.
Are you required to have a degree or certificate to work as a vet office manager in Washington?
No, you don’t necessarily need a degree to work as a vet office manager in Washington.
However, the job is competitive in highly populated areas.
Showing that you have the skills or education can be highly beneficial.
Otherwise, you may want to consider gaining experience in another similar field.
Are vet office manager jobs available outside of Seattle?
Yes, but they are often limited.
Larger cities like Tacoma or Olympia will have more openings.
However, the smaller areas often only have one or two clinics in the area.
So, you’ll need to plan for your location.
