A vet office manager does not have a lot of interaction with the animals that visit the clinic or hospital.
However, the office manager can take joy in realizing he or she is making it possible for veterinarians and others to do their best possible job of treating animals.
The office manager keeps the wheels turning in the right direction.
There is no license required, but you do need a good bit of office experience to do this job.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Georgia
The job of the office manager is to run the business side of the clinic and to keep it running smoothly.
In a small operation, the manager might also serve as a receptionist, but often those are different jobs.
The vet office manager takes care of billing, scheduling appointments, answering calls, collecting payments, ordering supplies, and anything that keeps things running well.
There is a lot of overlap between this job and the job of receptionist.
There may also be times when the manager needs to help the vet with caring for animals, and a little vet assistant training would come in handy.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in Georgia
There are no licenses required to be a vet office manager in Georgia.
Most jobs that involve working with animals do require a license in Georgia, but the office manager is concerned with the business side of the operation.
Through most classes, you can get certified in various software programs, which helps get a job.
There are also certifications from national office manager organizations, but these are not required.
Vet Office Manager Programs
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University offers an 18-month course that includes 450 hours of training.
This program costs $4700.
There is an emphasis on programs like Word, Excel, and Quickbooks.
A test is offered to get certification in these software programs.
You must have your copy of Word, but a year-long subscription to Quickbooks is provided.
There is an emphasis on business transactions, keeping books, budgeting, and starting a bookkeeping business.
In addition, there is also training that would qualify a person to be a veterinary assistant.
The class is online and self-paced.
Since it is online, you may enter the program at any time.
Valdosta State University
Valdosta State offers a program that is like online programs in other states.
It costs $3,995 and is an 18-month-long online course that is self-paced and can be entered at any time.
Software programs like Word, Excel, and Quickbooks are major parents of this program.
You must have your copy of Word, your computer, and an Internet connection.
Quickbooks are provided.
Two small e-books must be purchased with this program.
A high school diploma is all that is required to enter this program.
Georgia College
Georgia College offers a program that is almost identical to the one at Valdosta State.
It focuses on using software programs Word, Excel, and Quickbooks.
There is a lot about record keeping, budgeting, scheduling, and all aspects of running a business.
The cost is $3,995, and since it is online you may enter the program any time you like.
You may also pay for this program in monthly installments.
The course involves 450 hours of instruction and takes most people 18 months to complete.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Georgia Southern University | 1332 Southern Dr, Statesboro, GA 30458, United States |
| Valdosta State University | 1500 N Patterson St, Valdosta, GA 31698, United States |
| Georgia College | 231 W Hancock St, Milledgeville, GA 31061, United States |
Salary
The national average for vet office managers is between $75,000 and $99,000 and has an average of $86,000.
Salaries for office manager jobs in Georgia can be higher than the national average, ranging from $64,000 to $107,000, with an average of $83,000.
While the top end is higher, the average for Georgia is slightly lower than the national average.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albany | $77,511 |
| Athens | $83,805 |
| Roswell | $84,064 |
| Marietta | $84,150 |
| Atlanta | $84,409 |
| Savannah | $80,615 |
| Augusta | $79,753 |
| Valdosta | $77,166 |
| Columbus | $76,649 |
| Macon | $77,511 |
Regional Salary in Georgia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | 80 | $37,440 | $18 | $49,090 | $27,170 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,760 | $42,920 | $20.64 | $57,270 | $31,270 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | 100 | $37,930 | $18.23 | $47,660 | $29,760 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | 50 | $32,780 | $15.76 | $42,720 | $26,560 |
| Gainesville, GA | 50 | $39,690 | $19.08 | $61,080 | $29,540 |
| Macon, GA | 40 | $32,480 | $15.62 | $42,930 | $27,730 |
| Rome, GA | 40 | $39,670 | $19.07 | $51,680 | $28,250 |
| Savannah, GA | 110 | $37,650 | $18.1 | $46,150 | $29,110 |
| Valdosta, GA | 40 | $35,660 | $17.15 | $43,750 | $26,380 |
| Warner Robins, GA | 60 | $37,060 | $17.82 | $45,210 | $27,980 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of taking an online Vet office manager job.?
The biggest advantage is that there is vet assistant training along with the business part in the online courses.
It is more tailored to this type of business.
You will not have a lot of interaction with animals, but you may be needed to help out in emergencies.
A general business administration degree at a college will give you the business side that will fit almost any business.
It will not give you the extra veterinary training you get with the online programs.
What are some human skills or traits you need for a business office manager job?
You need to have people skills to deal with staff members and with the public, and having a positive attitude will help you get ahead in this area.
You will need leadership skills since you will be in charge of the staff, with only the veterinarian at the company above you.
You may also have to train new employees for various jobs.
You may also have to help the veterinarian with animals at times, though this may be rare.
What is the job outlook for office managers?
Veterinary-type jobs are expected to increase by 20 percent over the next 10 years, but that may not mean there will be a lot of office manager jobs available.
The number of jobs tends to go up or down with the economy.
Competition is fierce for the limited number of jobs available at larger animal clinics and hospitals, but there may be jobs available in smaller towns with smaller operations.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State