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Perhaps you really like animals and want to help them stay healthy, working in a vet office in Alabama, could be an option for you.
However, why settle on a veterinarian position or vet assistant, when you could be the vet’s office manager?
Additionally, they manage the business aspects, allowing veterinarians and clinical staff to focus on animal care rather than business details.
Article Table of Contents
Job Description for Vet Office Managers
A veterinary office manager has similar job duties as an administrative assistant or office manager.
Of course, the duties mentioned earlier will differ from office to office and sometimes from day to day.
Some employers seek veterinary office managers who have between 1 and 7 of experience.
This is a mandatory requirement for all job postings.
There will be some rare opportunities when just a high school diploma or GED will be enough to get hired.
Veterinary office managers oversee and coordinate administrative procedures in veterinary clinics or hospitals.
Their direct superiors are the owners of the practice.
They ensure the smooth and efficient daily operation of the office by:
- Scheduling appointments,
- Billing pet owners,
- Ordering supplies,
- Supervising office staff.
Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Alabama
The typical career path for a veterinary office manager starts with earning a high school diploma or GED.
Many vet office managers enroll in programs that last for 18 semester hours.
This certification is offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).
You’ll have to pass an exam at the end of the program.
This test is available through testing centers across the state.
You can become a VHMA member and your exam fee will be $675.
Non-members will have to pay $825.
The next step is to search for a degree program such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
The degree must be in business administration or some other job-related field.
Employers generally prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience in veterinary and office management.
If you think that your education is over, you might be wrong.
These office managers also have the possibility of earning some certifications, making them more qualified for the job.
Vet Office Manager Programs in Alabama
Now that you know more about what a vet office manager does, perhaps you should look at some training programs in Alabama.
Alabama State University 
The program for Veterinary Office Manager is offered through the Division for Continuing Education.
The program is offered online helping students can study at their own pace.
This also means that enrollment is open at all times.
However, they must complete the course in 18 months.
They will study for a total of 480 hours in total.
Usually, the tuition is $6,170, but if you’re lucky, you might find a period when the tuition is lowered.
The following are part of the subjects you’ll study:
- QuickBooks Online
- Microsoft Word,
- Microsoft Excel
At the end of the course, you’ll have to sit for exams for these 3 subjects to become certified for them.
The course itself will also award you with a certification of completion.
Innovative Education and Partnerships 
This university offers a similar course as the one above.
The duration of this online program is 18 months.
Its tuition has periods of sales, and the full price is $5,955.
Those who have difficulties paying this fee can use Affirm through which you pay installments.
Some of the topics to study are:
- Medical terminology
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- Microsoft Word,
- Microsoft Excel
- Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS)
- Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM)
Wallace State Community College
This institution also offers an online program for veterinary assistants who can be promoted to vet office managers.
To be promoted, you usually need additional training.
Fortunately, there are no requirements for those who choose this program.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited this college to award:
- Certificates
- Diplomas for approved degrees
- Associate’s degrees
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alabama State University | online course |
| Florida Gulf Coast University Innovative Education & Partnerships | online course |
| Wallace State Community College | 801 Main Street NW | P.O. Box 2000 Hanceville, AL 35077-2000 |
Salary for Vet Office Manager in Alabama
You learned what a veterinarian office manager is, how to become one, and where you can train for the job.
Now it’s time to learn how much you’ll earn as such a manager.
In Alabama, veterinarian office managers earn on average around $79,180 annually.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Graham | $83,747 |
| Madison | $82,627 |
| Gurley | $82,540 |
| Hazel Green | $82,454 |
| Toney | $82,368 |
| New Hope | $82,282 |
| Hollytree | $82,196 |
| Princeton | $82,110 |
| Somerville | $82,023 |
| Scottsboro | $81,937 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 220 | $41,710 | $20.05 | $51,070 | $27,380 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 610 | $33,720 | $16.21 | $42,920 | $28,480 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 100 | $32,040 | $15.4 | $37,620 | $27,190 |
| Decatur, AL | 50 | $33,380 | $16.05 | $41,990 | $28,460 |
| Dothan, AL | 50 | $29,440 | $14.15 | $35,670 | $23,680 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 40 | $31,310 | $15.05 | $38,450 | $27,100 |
| Huntsville, AL | 300 | $33,600 | $16.15 | $43,140 | $28,940 |
| Mobile, AL | 150 | $32,470 | $15.61 | $37,820 | $27,260 |
| Montgomery, AL | 150 | $33,260 | $15.99 | $45,400 | $23,950 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 50 | $32,180 | $15.47 | $41,040 | $27,040 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for vet office managers in Alabama?
The job market in this state fluctuates according to the economy.
There are more job openings when the economy does well.
When the economy does badly, there will be fewer job openings for these professionals.
Which skills do I need as a vet office manager in Alabama?
There are some skills every profession deems more important than others.
For vet office managers, there are 3 essential skills, along with others that are also important, but not as much.
Here these are:
- The most important are:
- Motivational Skills
- Staff Retention Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Other skills:
- Attention to details
- Good managerial skills
- Good administrative skills
- Exemplary writing, reading, computer and internet skills
What is the difference between a veterinary office manager and a veterinary practice manager in Alabama?
A veterinary office manager’s role is similar to that of a head veterinary receptionist but with added responsibilities.
The veterinary office manager oversees scheduling, inventory orders, accounts receivable, and ensures consistent client services.
In contrast, a veterinary practice manager holds a higher position and dedicates at least half of their time to management duties, often with formal training in practice management.
They handle all the responsibilities of a veterinary office manager plus marketing, budgeting, staffing, accounting, fee structures, and managing equipment and facilities.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Veterinary Practice Manager
Vet Office Manager by State