Kansas is a rural state, and many veterinary practices service big and small animals.
They take care of family dogs and cats, as well as horses, cows, goats, and other big animals.
An office manager keeps the business running smoothly.
Kansas is unique with its large animal vet practice, which means the vet may be out of the office a lot on service calls.
The office manager would be the person in charge during these times, adding a level of responsibility.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Kansas
The vet office manager in Kansas takes care of the business side of the operation, whether it be a clinic or an animal hospital.
This might include scheduling appointments, billing, receiving payments, bookkeeping, and ordering supplies.
It would also include supervising the staff of the operation and training new employees.
The office manager is second in charge of most operations like this, only second to the owner.
In Kansas, the owner, or main veterinarian, may often have to go to farms to take care of big animals.
This would mean the office manager would have to be in charge and make decisions in emergencies.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in Kansas
There are no licenses required to be an office manager in Kansas.
You would need some experience of either running or being a key part of the running of some kind of business.
Experience is what veterinarians will be looking for, more than anything else.
You can get certification in various software programs, which may help.
Online classes also offer training to be a vet assistant, which will come in handy when you are needed to help out in certain situations.
A vet assistant also needs no certification to work in Kansas.
Vet Office Manager Programs
Kansas City Community College
Kansas City Community College offers an 18-month online course that includes 450 hours of instruction.
The course costs $3,995, and you may make monthly payments.
The course focuses on all aspects of running a business and includes what you need for a veterinarian’s office in particular.
There is an emphasis on software like Word, Excel, and Quickbooks.
You must have a copy of Word, but Quickbooks is provided.
There is training in record keeping, budgeting, scheduling, and any area of running a business.
The class will also train you to be a veterinary assistant, though there is no certificate required.
There is a horse management add-on you may also take at an extra cost.
Colby Community College
Colby Community College, and most community colleges in the state, offer a one-year business administration associate’s degree.
The average tuition for an in-state student is $3500 per year, regardless of the program.
This would be a good course for someone with experience in a vet’s office and would add what you need from a business perspective.
Classes cover things like record keeping, billing, and various administrative duties,
University of Kansas, and Kansas State
University of Kansass, and Kansass State University, both have online programs for vet office managers, at $4,000 each.
The class involves 450 hours of instruction and is self-paced, but averages about 18 months to complete.
There is an emphasis on Word, Excel, and Quickbook software programs.
Record keeping, scheduling, and many other aspects of running a business are covered.
The course includes training to be a vet assistant.
You may get certified in software programs.
No certificate is required for the job, but there are national organizations where you may get a certificate if you like.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | 7250 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66112, United States |
| Colby Community College | 1255 S Range Ave, Colby, KS 67701, United States |
Salary
The national average for a vet office manager is $86,000 per year, ranging from 66,000 to 99,000.
In Kansas City, the average would be $84,000, and in a smaller town like Salina, the average would be $79,000.
The range would be $69,000 to $91,000.
While the range is below the national average, the cost of living is also well below the national average.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Hutchinson | $79,667 |
| Overland Park | $84,150 |
| Kansas City | $84,323 |
| Salina | $79,667 |
| Shawnee | $84,150 |
| Lenexa | $84,150 |
| Topeka | $79,753 |
| Lawrence | $81,391 |
| Manhattan | $78,891 |
| Wichita | $80,529 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 40 | $39,400 | $18.94 | $56,590 | $28,910 |
| Manhattan, KS | 200 | $48,000 | $23.08 | $62,520 | $31,750 |
| Topeka, KS | 70 | $35,260 | $16.95 | $49,690 | $23,280 |
| Wichita, KS | 180 | $34,740 | $16.7 | $45,810 | $26,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a vet office manager?
The online course for the training takes between one and two years, but still, experience is preferred.
Veterinarians prefer a couple of years of experience either working in an office or running an office.
It’s even better if that experience is in a veterinarian’s office.
A high school diploma is not required to take the online course.
Having some experience and taking the online course would make you qualified and an appealing candidate for an office manager’s job.
What is the advantage of an online course over a regular college business administration degree?
The main difference is that the online courses include a section on being a vet assistant, which is something that would make you a desirable candidate for a position.
The business aspects would be the same at either school, but adding the veterinary training is a bonus that would be valuable.
What makes Kansas unique?
Kansas is a very rural state, especially in the western half of the state.
Veterinarians often treat large animals, like cows or horses, as well as family pets.
The veterinarian may have to travel miles to a farm, or even be at the clinic for a day at a time.
This would give the office manager extra responsibilities.
The rural aspect makes a veterinary business much different than one specializing in small family pets.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State