If you love animals, enjoy helping people, are detail-oriented, and want to make a difference in the life of a veterinary practice, then becoming a veterinary office manager in lovely Louisiana may be your vocation.
The veterinary office manager guarantees everything runs comfortably and smoothly in the practice while coordinating and overseeing administrative processes in vet hospitals or clinics.
The position includes managing patient services, accounts receivable/billing, inventory, and scheduling.
It also involves maintaining financial records, processing insurance, budgeting, and complying with veterinary laws and regulations.
Candidates must be knowledgeable about vet software systems and staffing solutions, possess problem-solving skills, and be patient with pets and people!
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Louisiana
The office manager is often the liaison during wellness visits and emergency check-ins.
The role of veterinary office manager in Louisiana requires more than just a proficient and professional office presence.
It also requires strong interpersonal communication and client support skills.
These include empathy, kindness, and compassion, which are vital in this role.
As an office manager, the job entails being responsible for clients and patients/animals at critical times.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Veterinary Office Manager in Louisiana
The typical career trajectory for a veterinary office manager in Louisiana starts with achieving a high school diploma or equivalency (although not obligatory), followed by a certificate course or earning an associate or bachelor’s degree.
The next step is to gain working skills through performing in the veterinary field, with 1–2 years of experience in veterinary and office management preferred.
Employers typically prefer applicants with a few years of experience in veterinary skills and office management.
The next step is to acquire working skills through performing in the veterinary field.
1–2 years of experience in veterinary and office management is preferred.
That said, everyone has a first job–sometimes!
Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Certification
Earning the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is one path to gaining experience, confidence, and industry respect.
This designation can be valuable because it shows experience, expertise, and commitment.
Requirements:
- Three years of accepted employment.
- 18 college semester hours on management-relevant courses.
- 48 hours of continuing education courses.
- Four letters of recommendation.
Vet Office Manager Programs
Louisiana State University – Shreveport, Division of Continuing Education
Discover an online course created to prepare students to work in a veterinary practice.
Candidates will learn to execute entry-level position skills, studies, and office competencies to operate a veterinary practice as a vet assistant with additional skills, such as bookkeeping!
Contact Information
- One University Place, Shreveport, LA 71115 US
- 855 520-6806
Penn Foster College
Many veterinary hospitals partner with Penn Foster College.
The online 19-credit-hour certificate in veterinary practice management prepares individuals for the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certification exam, and this course can be used as the formal education requirement for the CVPM program offered by the VHMA.
Contact Information
- 800 275-4410
University of Louisiana, Lafayette
Veterinary Assistant
Gaining experience and entering the field as a veterinary assistant is one path to a career as a veterinary office manager.
This online course teaches nutrition, safety and health issues, parasite prevention, and more!
6 Weeks Access / 24 Course Hrs. Study at your pace.
Veterinary Administrative Assistant
You can work on the corporate side of the office as a veterinary administrative assistant.
This online course teaches candidates to identify opportunities and implement solutions for happy clients and healthy pets.
The growth in the veterinary industry has created career opportunities for administrative assistants.
This course aids students in learning the basics of managerial/staff support, records/information management, office ergonomics/space planning, and communications tech.
6 Weeks Access / 24 Course Hrs. Start anytime with in-depth study materials.
Contact Information
- 1606 Johnston Street, P.O. Box 43601 Lafayette, LA 70504
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State University - Shreveport, Division of Continuing Education | Technology Building, 1 University Pl, Shreveport, LA 71115, United States |
| Penn Foster College | 14300 N Northsight Blvd #125, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, United States |
| University of Louisiana, Lafayette | 104 E University Ave, Lafayette, LA 70504, United States |
Salary
As of 2024, a vet office manager in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, typically makes $82,064 annually, but the range is $71,440 to $94,288, depending on skills, education, experience, certifications, and other factors.
Still, that’s a lot of lettuce for your pet bunny!
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $75,528 |
| Lafayette | $78,632 |
| New Orleans | $83,202 |
| Baton Rouge | $81,908 |
| Lake Charles | $79,839 |
| Shreveport | $79,063 |
| Bossier City | $79,063 |
| Metairie | $83,202 |
| Monroe | $77,684 |
| New Iberia | $78,115 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 50 | $25,740 | $12.38 | $35,330 | $18,040 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 290 | $29,600 | $14.23 | $42,290 | $21,710 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 40 | $28,930 | $13.91 | $36,840 | $21,030 |
| Lafayette, LA | 200 | $27,920 | $13.42 | $39,380 | $19,100 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 120 | $28,050 | $13.49 | $37,020 | $19,320 |
| Monroe, LA | 70 | $26,310 | $12.65 | $34,870 | $22,160 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 610 | $30,120 | $14.48 | $42,150 | $23,250 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 170 | $27,790 | $13.36 | $37,600 | $23,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some popular animal companions in Louisiana?
Overall, pet ownership comes down to 44.6 households owning dogs, 26 “owning” cats (but does one ever truly “own” a cat?), and .2 stabling horses.
The percentage of households living with specialty and exotic animals:
- Fish 2.7
- Ferrets 0.1
- Rabbits 1.2
- Amphibians 0.2
- Reptiles 1.4
- Pet livestock 0.2
- Pet poultry 0.5
- Gerbils 1.3
- Other 0.4
If I want to be a veterinary office manager in Louisiana, what career options are open to me?
If you want to work in the Sugar State, options include veterinary practices such as animal rescue organizations, specialty clinics, labs, emergency facilities, animal hospitals, and shelters.
What will the future look like for veterinary office managers in Louisiana?
The future looks busy, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests veterinary professionals will grow by 16% by 2029.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State
