How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Arizona

A career as a veterinary office manager is highly rewarding, knowing you are helping animals who are sick or injured, and the pet parents who are worried about their furry friend.

Opting for this career choice also allows you to expand your customer service skills since you will be dealing with clients daily.

Most practices require budding vet office managers to hold a business administration degree or have related experience if they don’t hold a college degree.

If you’re interested in becoming a vet office manager in Arizona, keep reading to learn more!

Vet Office Manager Duties in Arizona

Vet office managers are responsible for the daily operations within the practice.

This includes leading a team of support staff and professionals to ensure the quality standards and operational needs of the practice are met while delivering excellent customer service to pets and clients.

Additional vet office manager duties include:

• Creating and implementing operational policies and procedures.
• Maintain and monitor inventory.
• Maintaining financial records and ensuring Arizona law and regulation compliance.
• Maintain veterinary equipment.
• Manage client inquiries and complaints.
• Monitor staff performance and provide coaching and regular feedback.
• Organize and schedule appointments.
• Overseeing medical records, scheduling, billing, and reception.
• Recruit, hire, and train new employees.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager

Although Arizona doesn’t have any specific licensing requirements to become a vet office manager, candidates can apply to become a CVPM (Certified Veterinary Practice Manager), which is the highest certification in the industry.

Aside from the CVPM designation, most employers have educational or experiential requirements.

First, employers seek candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration or veterinary medicine and five years of experience working at a veterinary practice.

In some instances, employers will hire vet office managers without a degree but with extensive experience in the field.

Other attributes include the ability to multitask and remain level-headed during high-stress situations, knowledge of customer service, animal care, and veterinary medicine, and proven management and leadership experience.

Other favorable characteristics include Microsoft Office Suite proficiency, and excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.

Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license are also requirements.

Vet Office Manager Programs

Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College offers a 450-course hour Veterinary Office Manager training program that teaches students how to restrain animals for procedures, take vitals, bathe them, prepare prescriptions, assist during dental procedures and surgery, and learn about animal physiology and anatomy.

Students also learn office topics like creating and sending data, bookkeeping, nutrition, vaccines, handling medical records, and using Microsoft Office.

The entire program costs $4,000 including all books and fees and lasts approximately 18 months.

By the end of the program, students will be prepared to take the QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) examination.

Maricopa Community College

Although not specifically focused on office management, MCC offers a Certification of Completion in Veterinary Assisting, which prepares students for careers in animal health and veterinary medicine.

Students learn the basics of how to diagnose and prepare animals for surgery, utilize veterinary equipment, assist vet techs, maintain surgical instruments, and conduct basic techniques.

Business skills include written and verbal communications, maintaining patient/client records, creating inventory logs, taking appointments, and filing financial records.

These skills are easily transferrable into an office management position.

The program requires 18 credits to graduate, which takes around one year.

Penn Foster

The online Veterinary Practice Management Program from Penn Foster is a 12-month certificate program that prepares students for the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager certification exam.

Students will learn business topics ranging from creating a budget, maintaining a business, balancing facility finances, decision-making, organizing, controlling, leading, planning, and creating an ethical perspective.

The self-paced focus of this program allows students to start at any time, have access to online content around the clock, and work at a pace best suited to pupils.

The program costs $1,600 and includes all materials and fees.

Salary

The median annual national salary for a vet office manager is $86,383 with pay ranging from $65,000 to $111,000.

The compensation range is based on experience, education level, location, skills, and several other factors.

The median salary in Arizona is on par with the national average at $85,346, with pay ranging from $64,200 to $109,600.

Regional Salary in Arizona

How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State