A vet office manager is crucial in how a veterinarian’s office operates.
Suppose you’re interested in working with animals but not going to veterinarian school.
In that case, becoming a vet office manager could be the right move.
Vet office managers are clients’ first point of contact and will have a whole host of duties.
If you want to become one in Wisconsin, we’ll tell you everything you need to know below.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in Wisconsin
Duties can vary depending on location but often include administrative and invoicing tasks.
Other responsibilities include taking phone calls, scheduling appointments, and bookkeeping.
Vet office managers may also need to track inventory, train new staff, and help maintain all pet records.
Some of the primary duties and responsibilities are:
- Reception
- Booking appointments
- Maintaining records
- Ensuring compliance with Wisconsin laws and regulations
- Monitoring work staff and performance
- Provide feedback to staff
- Coach or train staff
- Manage staff, such as hiring, recruitment, and more
- Deal with client complaints
- Monitor and maintain inventory
- Keep and update medical records
Licensing Requirements to Become
In the state of Wisconsin, a certificate or degree is not required to work as a vet office manager.
However, offices will generally want staff to have relevant education or work experience.
Below are the following requirements to work as a vet office manager.
Step 1: Meet Minimum Requirements
Before being able to work as a vet office manager, one will need to either have a high school degree or equivalent education.
That said, applicants will also need to be over the age of 18 and have some relevant experience for the job.
Step 2: Education and/or Training
In the state of Wisconsin, education and training aren’t necessary to be a vet office manager.
However, employers like to see some form of relevant experience.
Applicants can either get a certificate or attend a four-year college degree program in office management, administration, or a related field.
Other acceptable experience or training includes work in a clinical setting, administration, or similar roles.
Valuable assets include work experience in financial management, billing, and record keeping.
Mentorship or training programs are also acceptable.
Step 3: Certification or Degree Program Completion
While not necessary, completing a specific degree or certification program will qualify you to work as a vet office manager.
A degree or certificate verified by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) will hold the most weight.
The VHMA accepts most Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) certificates, but applicants should always check their program before attending.
Vet Office Manager Programs
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point provides an online training program for becoming a veterinary office manager.
The program is conducted through Ed2Go, which is a national education portal.
There is open enrollment and students will be able to complete the program at their own pace.
Attending students will need to complete 450 course hours within 18 months.
Tuition costs a total of $6,170 but can sometimes be found at a discount.
In addition, the Ed2Go portal allows for payments using Affirm.
However, not everyone will be accepted by Affirm for monthly payments.
Madison Technical College
Madison Technical College offers an associate’s degree in office management.
While it’s not specified for veterinary office management, the degree still qualifies if you apply.
The college offers online and in-person learning opportunities.
The program consists of 62 credits and takes approximately two years to finish.
Tuition costs are $11,167.73.
Students have the option to apply for financial aid or scholarship programs.
Penn Foster
Penn Foster offers an online veterinary practice management certificate.
While vet proactive management is a higher degree, it can help prepare students to work as either a vet office manager or a vet practice manager.
The program spans over 12 months and is self-paced.
In addition, it’s certified by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point | 2100 Main St, Stevens Point, WI 54481, United States |
| Madison Technical College | 1701 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704, United States |
| Penn Foster | 200 Hickory Street Scranton, PA 18505 USA |
Salary
Wisconsin’s average vet office manager salary is $85,346, but it can also fall between $74,297 and $98,059.
On the low end, vet office managers make $64,238.
On the high end, vet office managers can make $109,634.
Pay is determined by experience, education, and location.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Appleton | $83,547 |
| Madison | $84,926 |
| Eau Claire | $83,029 |
| Milwaukee | $85,702 |
| Racine | $83,978 |
| Kenosha | $83,978 |
| La Cross | $81,132 |
| Green Bay | $82,253 |
| Oshkosh | $82,857 |
| Janesville | $83,978 |
Regional Salary in Wisconsin
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton, WI | 90 | $44,530 | $21.41 | $55,660 | $36,990 |
| Eau Claire, WI | 60 | $43,550 | $20.94 | $55,290 | $35,460 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | 40 | $41,560 | $19.98 | $60,480 | $29,850 |
| Green Bay, WI | 100 | $40,670 | $19.55 | $48,810 | $31,130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | 50 | $39,850 | $19.16 | $48,440 | $30,530 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | 40 | $39,760 | $19.11 | $47,170 | $31,330 |
| Madison, WI | 540 | $44,480 | $21.39 | $57,660 | $37,370 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI | 590 | $43,670 | $21 | $53,520 | $36,760 |
| Racine, WI | 60 | $39,890 | $19.18 | $48,560 | $31,160 |
| Sheboygan, WI | 30 | $40,650 | $19.54 | $49,950 | $31,770 |
| Wausau, WI | 60 | $42,480 | $20.42 | $54,540 | $33,180 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to attend a certificate program to become a vet office manager in Wisconsin?
The state of Wisconsin doesn’t require certification for vet office managers.
However, it can boost an applicant’s chances of being picked for the job.
Alternatively, applicants can find a mentor or undergo on-the-job training.
How long does it take to become a vet office manager in Wisconsin?
Those attending schooling will take anywhere from twelve months to four years.
On the other hand, those learning on the job or through mentorship may take six months to a year.
Lastly, applicants with prior experience working in an office setting may automatically qualify for the job.
Are vet office managers in demand in Wisconsin?
The demand for vet office managers is expected to grow over the next decade.
This is mainly due to veterinary services growing at an average rate of 6.29% every few years.
As more people get pets, there will become more demand for such jobs, especially with new clinics opening.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State
