Picture taking your pet to the vet office and when you walk in, one person is checking you in, answering phones, finding computer files, and then calling you into the back room to treat your pet.
If there is even one other person there, imagine how chaotic the situation looks.
This isn’t the best environment for a pet that may already be stressed about the visit.
That is why an efficient vet office manager is necessary for a veterinary office.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in South Carolina
The vet office manager is like a receptionist, operator, bookkeeper, and human resource person all rolled into one.
In addition to answering phones, the vet office manager is in charge of hiring and training office workers, taking care of scheduling employees, dealing with clients, and making sure the practice stays well-stocked.
They also take care of billing, processing payments, and preparing payroll.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in South Carolina
Legally, there is no licensing requirement for vet office managers in South Carolina, but many offices look for candidates who have management training or experience.
Some even require their office manager to hold a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) title from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association.
Vet Office Manager Programs in South Carolina
University of South Carolina Upstate
This is an entirely online course in veterinary office management.
This 18-month course is 450 hours long and costs a total of $3995.
What is great about this course is that it includes the regular office management courses of accounting, filing, Excel, and others, but it also includes subjects such as veterinary medical terminology, veterinary receptionist duties, veterinary anatomy and physiology, pharmacy procedures, and small animal vaccines.
It also includes a voucher to take your certification test.
Coastal Carolina Community College
This is a certificate program for those who already have office knowledge.
It is focused entirely on animal care and offers a certificate.
The course lasts six months, with a 15-week internship included.
You will learn to interact with animals and their owners, understand vet terminology, recognize symptoms of illness reptile care, small animal care, and avian care.
Central Carolina Community College
This program offers a certificate in Office Management (OMTC).
The class takes 27 credit hours and costs $237 per credit hour.
In addition to teaching the necessary office skills such as keyboarding, computer operations, accounting, and filing, you will also get instructions in customer service, human resource management, and fundamentals of supervision.
Upon completion, you will be well-prepared for a job in office management.
York Technical College
The 62-credit course at York Technical College will earn you an Associate degree in Administrative Office technology.
The course takes two years to complete and costs $199 per credit hour.
The school does offer financial aid.
The focus of this course is the computer programs necessary for effective office management such as Excel, accounting programs, and Internet communication.
You will also learn the basics of leadership, such as human resource procedures and customer service.
This brings office management into the modern era where computer knowledge is a must.
Aiken Technical College
For $235 per credit, you can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree from Aiken.
This course will take two years and earn you 60 credits.
In addition to subjects such as accounting, file management, and computer programs such as Excel, you will gain knowledge in management courses such as principles of management, human resource management, and interpersonal psychology.
You may also use electives to gain animal-specific knowledge.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of South Carolina Upstate | 800 University Way, Spartanburg, SC 29303, United States |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | 444 Western Blvd, Jacksonville, NC 28546, United States |
| Central Carolina Community College | 1105 Kelly Dr, Sanford, NC 27330, United States |
| York Technical College | 452 Anderson Rd S, Rock Hill, SC 29730, United States |
| Aiken Technical College | 2276 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Graniteville, SC 29829, United States |
Salary of a Vet Office Manager in South Carolina
The average annual salary for a vet office manager in South Carolina is $126,333.
The lower end of the pay scale sees managers making $107,759 annually, and the highest-paid vet office managers make $148,674 a year.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Greenville | $80,098 |
| Spartanburg | $81,046 |
| Anderson | $79,581 |
| Summerville | $81,477 |
| Charleston | $81,908 |
| Sumter | $77,080 |
| Columbia | $79,925 |
| Hilton Head Island | $80,098 |
| Mount Pleasant | $81,908 |
| Myrtle Beach | $77,770 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 330 | $41,760 | $20.08 | $51,650 | $33,830 |
| Columbia, SC | 320 | $40,700 | $19.57 | $49,030 | $30,800 |
| Florence, SC | 40 | $34,720 | $16.69 | $47,430 | $30,940 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 490 | $44,470 | $21.38 | $56,590 | $31,530 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 90 | $43,060 | $20.7 | $57,970 | $31,860 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 190 | $38,450 | $18.49 | $46,520 | $29,970 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 100 | $41,750 | $20.07 | $53,620 | $31,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a person live comfortably as a vet office manager in South Carolina?
The average salary of this position is $126,333 a year, so a person may not have an elaborate lifestyle, but can live comfortably while working in this position.
I have office management experience but no experience working with animals, can I still work as a vet office manager in South Carolina?
Many vets require their office staff to at least have some familiarity with the animals they treat.
However, this experience does not have to be in an official capacity and some vets will be willing to let you gain that familiarity working for them before you are promoted.
Do vet office managers only work in a veterinary office in South Carolina?
No, you can find vet office managers in a variety of settings, including animal rescues, zoos, and veterinary clinics.
Any place that deals daily with animals and their health requires someone to manage their office.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State