Have you ever wanted to work in a veterinarian’s office but not have to go through veterinarian school?
Inside an animal hospital, a handful of roles need to be filled, including a vet office manager.
A vet office manager plays a vital role in managing the veterinarian’s office by mixing managerial tasks with veterinarian responsibilities.
If you’re interested and located in Oregon, then we can help walk you through the process.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Oregon
As a vet office manager, you’ll be responsible for various tasks to help the business flow.
Primary responsibilities include taking phone calls, scheduling, and keeping track of inventory.
Vet office managers will also work to train staff, ensure standards are being maintained, and ensure rules and regulations are followed.
Lastly, vet office managers will be responsible for clerical tasks such as bookkeeping, updating records, and walking clients through the process.
Vet office manager duties and responsibilities:
- Reception
- Scheduling
- Maintaining financial records
- Ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations
- Monitoring work staff and performance
- Provide feedback to staff
- Coach or train staff
- Manage staff, such as hiring, recruitment, and more
- Dealing with client complaints
- Monitor and maintain inventory
- Keep and update medical records
Licensing Requirements to Become
To become a vet office manager, one must either complete a degree or a certificate program.
In addition, one must have managerial experience in veterinary offices or in general.
Most places accept experience working in business management, administration, or on-the-job experience.
Step 1: Meet Minimum Requirements
The first step to becoming a vet office manager is meeting the minimum requirements.
These include being over 18 and having a high school diploma or equivalent.
Other skills include being highly efficient, computer-efficient, and more.
Previous skills in management, administration, or veterinarian care are often recommended.
Step 2: Experience or Education
While there are state or federal education requirements, it’s still beneficial as a vet office manager has a lot to know.
If you need to become more familiar with working in this type of setting, then it’s best to get either on-the-job training or education in a related field.
The most common degrees include business management, administration, or veterinarian certificates.
Those interested in the job can contact a mentorship program to gain experience.
A mentor can help teach the ins and outs of the job without needing higher education.
Requirements for experience range from two to five years, depending on the animal hospital.
Step 3: Continuing Education
Aside from experience, individuals can also further their education by completing bachelor’s or certificate programs.
Continuing education can be an excellent way for individuals to boost their application, especially if it’s verified by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).
The Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certificate program is one of the best certificate programs.
Vet Office Manager Programs
There aren’t any “set” educational requirements to become a vet office manager.
If you’re interested in strengthening your portfolio or can’t find a mentor, opting for education can be a good alternative.
Below, we’ll introduce you to a few programs you can take online or in person in Oregon.
Clark College
Clark College offers a fully online certificate that spans over 18 months.
The course includes 450 hours and is self-paced.
Students who attend will need to pay for their tuition, as there isn’t any assistance.
Tuition costs $6,170 but can sometimes be found at a discounted price.
Students who cannot afford to pay in full can opt to make partial payments through Affirm.
This allows students to attend even if they cannot afford the cost upfront.
However, Affirm is limited, and not everyone may qualify.
Portland Veterinary Medical Association
Those in the VITAL program are eligible to participate in this limited-person program.
The program runs for six months and allows attendees to become certified veterinary practice managers, a step up from vet office managers.
In total, students will cover six in-person modules that span five hours each.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Clark College | 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663, United States |
| Portland Veterinary Medical Association | 10725 SW Barbur Blvd #120, Portland, OR 97219, United States |
Salary
The average salary for a vet office manager in Oregon is $87,765, typically between $76,403 and $100,838.
On the low end, vet office managers make $66,058, while on the high end, some make $112,741.
The pay generally reflects years of experience, location, and other factors.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Albany | $85,616 |
| Beaverton | $89,841 |
| Hillsboro | $89,496 |
| Springfield | $86,047 |
| Bend | $85,271 |
| Clackamas | $89,668 |
| Medford | $85,958 |
| Oregon City | $89,496 |
| Portland | $89,841 |
| Eugene | $86,306 |
Regional Salary in Oregon
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 30 | $39,470 | $18.98 | $50,970 | $31,970 |
| Bend-Redmond, OR | 130 | $45,650 | $21.95 | $57,130 | $34,360 |
| Corvallis, OR | 70 | $44,460 | $21.38 | $56,680 | $33,170 |
| Eugene, OR | 120 | $42,310 | $20.34 | $49,520 | $31,500 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 30 | $40,890 | $19.66 | $54,490 | $28,610 |
| Medford, OR | 80 | $41,660 | $20.03 | $51,940 | $28,860 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,120 | $48,700 | $23.42 | $59,670 | $37,970 |
| Salem, OR | 130 | $43,240 | $20.79 | $51,490 | $29,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a certificate to work as a vet office manager in Oregon?
While it’s not necessary, many employers will want a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related field or the completion of a certified veterinary practice manager program.
Those who don’t will either need to complete a program or gain relevant work experience.
Some practices will also offer training programs, allowing staff to train on the job.
What is the difference between a vet office manager and a vet practice manager?
In Oregon, there are few programs for certified vet office managers. Instead, the programs offered are Certified Veterinary Practice Managers (CVPM), the highest credentials for professional veterinary managers.
This certificate is a step higher than vet office manager certificate programs, as it covers more than administrative tasks.
Is getting a CVPM in Oregon worth it?
While not necessary, completing a CVPM program can help boost your chances of getting a job.
Not only will you be overqualified, but you will have advanced knowledge.
However, if you already have a vet office manager certificate, you won’t need a CVPM certificate.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State