An office manager at a veterinarian’s office keeps the ship running so the vet and others can take care of the animals.
It is an important job in any business, but you won’t be too involved with the pets that come in regularly.
Some knowledge of animals is good, but more important is your skill at keeping an office running smoothly.
Experience in the administration of an office is the most important quality you can have.
Table of Contents
- 1 Vet Office Manager Duties in Alabama
- 2 Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in Alabama
- 3 Vet Office Manager Programs
- 4 Salary
- 5 Frequently Asked Questions
- 5.1 What is the difference between a receptionist, an office manager, and a practice manager?
- 5.2 What are some skills that would be needed for this job in Alabama?
- 5.3 What is the most important thing to have to get an office manager's job in Alabama?
- 5.4 Why is there no licensing requirement in Alabama for an office manager?
Vet Office Manager Duties in Alabama
The office manager reports directly to the business owner and takes care of the business aspects involved in running a veterinary office or hospital.
Some of the duties include:
- Scheduling appointments
- Billing pet owners
- Ordering supplies
- Paying bills
- Supervising office staff
- Offering human services to staff
There may be some overlap with what receptionists or secretaries often do. In a small office.
In a small town, for instance, you might also have to be the receptionist for that office as well as the manager.
Generally, the office manager has more duties and more authority than a receptionist would have.
The primary job of an office manager is to run the office and take care of business operations.
Some knowledge of animal health would be beneficial, but experience in running an office would be more important.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in Alabama
The state of Alabama does not require a specific license to be an office manager.
It does have licensing requirements for veterinarians, assistants, and vet-techs.
You may still get a certificate after completing an education program at one of several colleges in the state.
While the certificate is not legally required, it does show you have completed the necessary training to do the job.
Vet Office Manager Programs
The online courses for these programs include training to be a vet assistant.
In a small office, you might be expected to help the vet some, and this will prepare you for that possibility.
Alabama State University
Alabama State offers a self-paced course that takes 18 months on average.
The cost is about $4,000.
It includes basic veterinary assistant training.
The focus is on the business aspect, however.
There are instructions for Microsoft Word, Excel, and QuickBooks.
You may also get certification on those software packages through the course.
There are also state and national certificates for managing this kind of office, but they are not required by the state.
This course is designed to be taken online.
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State is in Georgia, but its program is online so it could be taken from anywhere.
This course also offers training to be a vet assistant, so when duties overlap, you will be prepared.
The course is online, so you may start any time you like.
This one may offer even more education about animals than the Alabama State program.
The Valdosta State program is $3,995.
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University is another regional school that offers an online course for students in Alabama.
The program lasts 18 months and the cost is $5,955, but the school sometimes offers sale prices.
One advantage to this program is you may pay for it with monthly payments.
It offers the same type of education that the others offer.
The program offers a certificate in health records and physician practice management.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alabama State University | 915 S Jackson St, Montgomery, AL 36104, United States |
| Valdosta State University | 1500 N Patterson St, Valdosta, GA 31698, United States |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | 10501 FGCU Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33965, United States |
Salary
Alabama vet office managers make up the national average, but the cost of living is also below the national average.
In Alabama, the salary for a vet office manager can range from $69,000 to $91,000, with the average being $79,000.
Nationally, the range is 75,000 to 99,000, and the average is $86,000.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Auburn | $76,046 |
| Georgiana | $75,873 |
| Birmingham | $80,529 |
| Huntsville | $82,684 |
| Tuscaloosa | $80,788 |
| Decatur | $79,925 |
| Madison | $82,684 |
| Mobile | $79,408 |
| Florence | $74,321 |
| Gadsden | $80,874 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 220 | $41,710 | $20.05 | $51,070 | $27,380 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 610 | $33,720 | $16.21 | $42,920 | $28,480 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 100 | $32,040 | $15.4 | $37,620 | $27,190 |
| Decatur, AL | 50 | $33,380 | $16.05 | $41,990 | $28,460 |
| Dothan, AL | 50 | $29,440 | $14.15 | $35,670 | $23,680 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 40 | $31,310 | $15.05 | $38,450 | $27,100 |
| Huntsville, AL | 300 | $33,600 | $16.15 | $43,140 | $28,940 |
| Mobile, AL | 150 | $32,470 | $15.61 | $37,820 | $27,260 |
| Montgomery, AL | 150 | $33,260 | $15.99 | $45,400 | $23,950 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 50 | $32,180 | $15.47 | $41,040 | $27,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a receptionist, an office manager, and a practice manager?
The three jobs are very similar and there may be overlap in many operations.
The receptionist meets the public, schedules, and does the intake of animals.
The office manager may do those things, in addition to running the office.
The office manager may also do staffing, buying supplies, and work with billing.
The practice manager is a higher level that would be in large practices.
This person would also do marketing, budgeting, and staffing.
What are some skills that would be needed for this job in Alabama?
An office manager needs to have good people skills, motivational skills, and the ability to hire and retain staff.
Attention to detail, and administrative and managerial skills, are also needed.
The ability to write clearly would also be helpful.
What is the most important thing to have to get an office manager's job in Alabama?
Experience and proven ability to run an operation of some kind is the most important thing.
A person with office management experience would probably beat out a person with no experience, even with a degree.
By taking an online course, you can brush up your skills and have some proof that you know how to use various types of software.
Why is there no licensing requirement in Alabama for an office manager?
There are requirements for licensing for people who deal directly with animals in a vet practice, and who have a direct impact on the animal.
An office manager is not as involved with animals and is more involved in the business part of the operation.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State