How to Become a Vet Office Manager in West Virginia

Becoming a Vet Office Manager in West Virginia will offer many tasks that fulfill your love of fast-paced office duties in the animal kingdom.

Domestic and feral animals can be found within the state’s borders.

With the proper education and training, this unique opportunity could be yours.

Let’s delve into what is needed to make this dream transition a reality.

Vet Office Manager Duties in West Virginia

The aspects of veterinary practice must be learned and applied to business dealings.

Also known as a veterinary practice manager, duties may include:

• Hiring and assigning staff members
• Coordinating work schedules
• Inventory control
• Training staff to have a good knowledge of basic customer questions
• Good organizational skills and the ability to multitask

Depending on the size of the clinic, this list may vary in tasks.

Helping the veterinarian with animals, keeping areas clean, and updating surgery schedules are other areas where your role could change.

Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in West Virginia

In this state, a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certificate is recommended but not required.

Statistics show that having an education in vet management can be a plus.

Here are the most recent numbers for all veterinary office managers in West Virginia:

• Bachelor’s Degree – 35.1% active veterinary office managers
• High School or GED – 21.3% active veterinary office managers
• Associate’s Degree – 20.0% active veterinary office managers

Other education includes a vocational degree and a Master’s Degree.

Schooling could be worth considering, depending on the area and the medical procedures offered by a vet’s office.

Your potential employer could ask for OSHA Certification, Fear Free Certification, or 1–2 years of past management experience.

Vet Office Manager Programs

Serious candidates for a vet management position often seek a career that will lead to becoming a Certified Veterinarian Assistant.

Proper education in this field helps pursue a long and fruitful future in a vet’s office.

Here are a few things taught in an online program that can fill all your needs.

West Virginia Northern Community College (online only) –

• How to use Microsoft Office Word and Excel Professional
• Essential bookkeeping tasks
• Basic accounting principles and applying to Quickbooks
• Handling medical records
• Duties of a Veterinarian Office Manager

In addition to the non-clinical side of the course, clinical knowledge will also be learned.

This can lead to a step-up to a Veterinary Practice Manager.

They spend half their time strictly performing management duties and have some formal professional practice management training.

Veterinary practice managers will have all the responsibilities of a veterinary office manager and be responsible for marketing, budgeting, staffing, accounting, fee structures, and equipment and facility management.

Being qualified for both job titles is a plus for management positions.

Additional studies may include:

• The anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems
• Restraint techniques for procedures, taking vital signs, and bathing animals
• Preparation of prescriptions and taking blood samples and radiographs
• The best ways to create and send information or data for the most impact

Other schools to explore include Mountwest Community and Technical College in Huntington, West Virginia, and Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, Virginia.

The cost of training programs for vet management or veterinary practice manager positions can range from $4000 to $6000.

Most courses run for 18 months with a practice or office management certificate completed.

Salary

The national annual salary for a Veterinary Office Manager is $86,380.

The salary range typically falls between $75,200 and $99,250.

The average wage for a vet office manager in West Virginia is $49059 per year, but this amount can be higher or lower depending on the demographic area.

Top salaries can be as high as $67,069 or as low as $27,849.

Education, experience, and a willingness to grow in your position can also improve this number.

Regional Salary in West Virginia

How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State