How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Tennessee

Tennessee is a growing state due to its history, food, and comfortable winter weather.

As a result of this population boom, veterinary practices have opened in cities and towns across the state.

Given this growth in animal medicine, vet office managers are needed now more than ever.

Vet office managers are responsible for the daily business activities ranging from bookkeeping and maintaining records to reception and customer service.

If you’re interested in helping clients and their furry friends by becoming a vet office manager in Tennessee, keep reading to learn more!

Vet Office Manager Duties in Tennessee

Vet office managers are responsible for all operational aspects of the business.

This frees up vets to focus on animal treatment and care.

Studies show that vet office managers increase productivity at practices, thus allowing veterinarians to provide exceptional service.

Several of the daily duties include:

• Creating a warm and welcoming environment for patients and staff
• Creating appointments
• Creating job descriptions
• Developing security protocols
• Ensuring smooth patient flow
• Financial reporting
• Fundraising and local events
• Maintaining inventory
• Maintaining medical records
• Providing feedback and guidance to support staff
• Recruiting, hiring, and terminating employees

Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager

The State of Tennessee does not require licensing or certification to become a vet office manager.

However, most employers require a vet office manager training program, a business degree, or extensive experience in the field to be considered for a position.

Many training programs prepare students to sit for the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) examination, which helps improve your skills in the field and increase your credentials.

To be eligible for the exam, you must pay the fee and have three years of work experience in the field, a degree, and four letters of recommendation.

Vet Office Manager Programs

Penn Foster

One of the most popular online vet office manager certificate programs is offered by Penn Foster.

This self-paced program can be completed in 12 months and costs $1,600, including all fees and materials.

Students will learn various topics ranging from business ethics to marketing, human resource management, veterinary practice management, principles of management, animal care, medical record-keeping, bookkeeping, and many other related topics.

Graduates are well prepared to sit for the CVPM examination.

Southwest Tennessee Community College

STCC offers a veterinary office manager online certificate that costs $3,995 or tuition and materials and takes approximately 18 months to complete.

Since the program is self-paced, the school allows open enrollment so students can start classes whenever they are ready.

The curriculum covers physiology and anatomy, restraint techniques for bathing animals taking vital signs and other procedures, assisting during surgery, and knowledge of administering medication, vaccines, and nutrition.

The program also covers front-end office topics like analyzing reports, financial documents, and accounts, critical bookkeeping skills, basic accounting, duties of the vet office manager, and effectively utilizing Microsoft Office.

University of Tennessee at Martin

UT Martin offers a Bachelor of Science in veterinary technology and management.

Throughout the four-year program, the curriculum covers topics like animal science, management training of vet technologists, finance, policy, marketing, laboratory medicine, and vet technology education.

The program requires an internship, which provides them with hands-on training and experience to help land their first position.

Students are well-prepared for entry-level office management positions within Tennessee.

Salary

Vet office managers in Tennessee make an annual median salary of $81,400, which is lower than the national average of $86,400.

The pay ranges in Tennessee from $61,200 to $104,500, whereas the national pay ranges from $65,000 to $110,000.

The pay in a small Tennessee town will fall lower on the bell curve than in a larger city like Nashville or Memphis.

Regional Salary in Tennessee

How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State