Having a love for animals is one reason many people enter the workforce as vet office managers.
These essential office workers are the ones who help keep the offices running smoothly so that the vet and vet techs can concentrate on patient care.
Without them, the office would likely be chaotic and the rest of the staff would have so many duties that they would have less time and energy to treat their animal patients.
The presence of a quality vet office manager is essential.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Montana
The vet office manager has a variety of duties.
They answer phones, make appointments, and answer questions from worried pet owners.
The vet office manager is responsible for hiring and training other office staff, billing customers and processing their payments, passing on after-treatment instructions, and taking time to comfort patient parents who may be stressed and scared.
The vet office manager does the bookkeeping, organizes the files, and may even do payroll duties.
They are often in charge of making sure supplies, both office and practice instruments, are always in stock when needed.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in Montana
Some veterinary practices, especially smaller ones in small towns, may give the office manager position to an employee who has worked in an office setting for a long time.
The majority, however, look for candidates who have been educated to take control of an office. Some even require that the office manager be a certified veterinary practice manager (CVPM).
Vet Office Manager Programs in Montana
Great Falls College
Great Falls offers a 30-credit certificate in applied science for a total cost of $5177.
During your time there, you will take classes in Introduction to Business, MS Office, Interpersonal Communication, Technical Writing, Accounting, Payroll Accounting, Customer Service, and Excel.
You will also have a class in career readiness to help in your search after leaving with your certificate.
Mt, San Jacinto College
It takes two years to earn your Associate of Science in Office Administration here.
That is a total of 60 hours.
The cost is $19,853 a year.
Among the classes you will need to take to graduate are office procedures, public speaking, business communications, psychology, Excel, bookkeeping, ethics of business, and Quickbooks.
University of Montana
The Administrative Management degree at this university will take four years to complete.
The cost is $8546 a year.
You will take classes in human resource management, leadership, communication, business ethics, and accounting, among others.
There is enough versatility in this program that you can add classes directly related to animals to your list, making you even better qualified for a vet office manager position.
Montana Technological University
This is another 4-year program covering all the necessary elements of an office management career.
You will study normal computer programs such as Excel and will study accounting, written and oral communication, business law and ethics, and other classes related to running an office.
In addition to classwork, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience.
The cost of this program is $3,056/64 a year.
Missoula College
Missoula College offers a program that can get you out into the workforce in as little as one year.
The 30-credit course costs a total of $25,100 and earns you a Certificate of Applied Science.
Besides accounting, communication, and customer service skills, you will have an opportunity to learn the basics of filing systems, computer programs relevant to business management, and more.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Great Falls College | 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405, United States |
| Mt. San Jacinto College | 1499 N State St, San Jacinto, CA 92583, United States |
| University of Montana | 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, United States |
| Montana Technological University | 1300 W Park St, Butte, MT 59701, United States |
| Missoula College | 1205 E Broadway St, Missoula, MT 59802, United States |
Salary of a Vet Office Manager in Montana
Vet officer manager pay in Montana varies by location, size of practice, and amount of training or experience of the worker.
In Montana, office vet managers make anywhere from $106,618 to $147,099 a year.
The average salary is $124,995 annually.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Belgrade | $73,631 |
| Kalispell | $78,718 |
| Billings | $83,460 |
| Missoula | $73,631 |
| Bozeman | $73,629 |
| Great Falls | $76,649 |
| Helena | $74,925 |
| Forest Grove | $82,167 |
| Galata | $75,356 |
| Laurel | $83,029 |
Regional Salary in Montana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 130 | $40,820 | $19.63 | $49,380 | $32,040 |
| Missoula, MT | 60 | $40,240 | $19.34 | $49,280 | $31,430 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to become a vet office manager in Montana?
The cost to become a vet office manager in Montana can range from nothing for those who have worked their way up to several thousand dollars if you attend a four-year college for office management.
The typical one-year program specializing in vet office manager training runs approximately $5000 in total.
Do I need a license to become a vet office manager in Montana?
While you are not legally required to have a license to be a vet office manager in Montana, many employers do look for employees who have some type of management degree.
What personal traits do I need to be a vet office manager in Montana?
To become an effective vet office manager, you need to be organized, be able to take control, and be a great communicator.
It is also desirable to be able to stay calm when dealing with distraught people and have a love of animals.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State