Becoming a manager of any office takes an interest in people and leadership.
Becoming a manager of a veterinary office takes an additional love for the fur friends.
Going from a normal office to working for a vet would turn mundane office days into a wild time.
Not only would each day bring new scenarios into the office, but you never know what kind of patients you’ll get.
Especially if the office is in a particularly rural area.
You may get the usual dog and cat clientele with a horse, sheep, or wolf thrown in from time to time.
If that sounds like the kind of surprise you’d like to have in the workplace, perhaps it’s time to consider being a vet office manager.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in North Dakota
When it comes to running the office of a veterinary clinic or hospital, be prepared for a very hands-on job.
Office managers do everything from running the staff to customer service.
That also includes bookkeeping, human resources, and even keeping office supplies stocked.
Naturally, anyone applying should be willing to be extra friendly to any animals that come in the door.
Of course, to their owners, too.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager
There are no licensing requirements to be a vet office manager in North Dakota.
With that being said, there are still things employers will look for when filling the role.
To start, it would help to have at least an associate’s degree in business or a bachelor’s degree in pre-veterinary science.
Next, to manage an office, some leadership experience in a similar setting would be helpful.
Lastly, experience working with animals would be a big bonus.
Vet Office Manager Programs
University of North Dakota
It takes a year and a half to earn a certificate as a vet office manager at UND
Over 450 hours, students learn everything from how to manage people as well as animals.
Start any time, enrollment is open and you can go at your own pace.
The total cost of the program is $4,000.
Bismark State College
No experience is necessary to attend the vet office manager program at Bismark.
Students will complete this program and be both a vet tech as well as an office manager.
This includes both animal anatomy and bookkeeping courses.
In total, it costs $4,000 to complete the program at BSC.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND 58202, United States |
| Bismark State College | 1500 Edwards Ave, Bismarck, ND 58506, United States |
Salary
The salary for a vet office manager in North Dakota can vary quite a bit depending on what qualifications someone has.
With little experience, someone can expect $63,000 a year.
On the high side, with lots of experience, a salary of $107,000 would be a reasonable find.
On average, however, $83,000 is the median salary.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bismarck | $85,864 |
| Dickinson | $84,569 |
| Fargo | $82,927 |
| Grand Forks | $81,200 |
| Mandan | $85,864 |
| Minot | $84,569 |
| Williston | $84,569 |
| West Fargo | $82,927 |
| Chaseley | $84,569 |
| Havana | $81,632 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 50 | $42,490 | $20.43 | $57,240 | $28,370 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 130 | $42,570 | $20.47 | $46,820 | $36,140 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | 40 | $37,640 | $18.09 | $44,860 | $28,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many veterinarians practice in North Dakota?
500 vets in North Dakota are currently open to seeing patients.
That’s an increase of 3% over the year prior.
Overall, that’s about average, as far as states go.
One way North Dakota stands out, though, is the cost of service.
This is the least expensive state to get care for your pet.
Whether that’s a good or bad thing for the employees, is something else.
Although, in the grand scheme of things, it’s not so bad for employees.
It just means that more people have access to healthcare for their pets than in other states.
That’s what matters most when it comes to veterinary care.
How many households have pets in North Dakota?
Just below the national average, 64% of all households in the state have a pet.
Families are more likely to have a dog than a cat, but both are popular choices, overall.
With that many people having furry family to take care of, that’s a positive sign for vet offices.
So many pets, coupled with budget-friendly vet prices, mean plenty of business for vets.
How do you start a veterinary practice in North Dakota?
Before opening up an office, you’ll want several years as a vet.
Experience can’t be bought and you’ll want to be an expert before branching out on your own.
Once you feel confident in how far you’ve come as a practitioner, you can start by purchasing an already-running vet office or start from scratch.
Figuring out which option is best might take time as there are pros and cons on each side.
Next, you’ll need to decide on what kind of clinic or hospital you want to be.
Do you have specific experience with a specific type or size of animal?
Is there a particular need in your designated area?
Are there any niches that you’d enjoy working on than others?
After determining direction, you’ll assemble a business plan and financing.
Before opening up, hire a great vet office manager!
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State