Florida is no stranger to animal lovers, especially those committed to their pets’ well-being.
If you share this passion for animals and wish to contribute to their care meaningfully, consider a career as a veterinary office manager.
This position allows you to support animal health from an administrative perspective, rather than through direct medical procedures or surgeries.
Your duties will closely resemble those of a traditional office manager, ensuring the smooth operation of a veterinary practice.
If this career path interests you, read more about this fulfilling role!
Article Table of Contents
Job Description for Vet Office Managers
Veterinary office managers work in animal clinics, hospitals, and sometimes with animal rescue organizations.
As previously mentioned, their duties are similar to those of administrative assistants or office managers.
However, it’s important to understand that each office, even within the same field, has its unique operations.
Typical responsibilities of veterinary office managers include:
- Scheduling appointments
- Billing pet owners
- Ordering supplies
- Supervising office staff
Job descriptions are valuable tools for both employers and job seekers. In this field, the employers are usually the owners of veterinary practices.
When applying for a veterinary office manager position, specific qualifications are necessary.
Typically, you will need between 1 and 7 years of work experience.
Educational requirements can vary; some positions may require only a high school diploma or GED, while others may need a diploma related to veterinary office management.
Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Florida
If you’re considering a career as a veterinary office manager, it’s crucial to understand the steps required to enter this field.
Your path typically begins with completing high school or obtaining a GED.
Next, you might pursue a degree in business administration or a related field, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
Alternatively, obtaining certification after high school can strengthen your qualifications.
One notable certification is offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).
To achieve this certification, you must enroll in their program and pass an exam.
While VHMA membership is not mandatory, it can provide additional benefits.
Several testing centers throughout Florida administer the exam.
Exam fees are as follows:
- $675 for VHMA members
- $825 for non-members
Vet Office Manager Training Programs in Florida
Now it is time to check out the programs you can attend in Florida.
Florida Gulf Coast University Innovative Education and Partnerships ![](https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-06-29-210122.png)
The Veterinary Office Manager program is offered through the Division for Continuing Education.
This online program allows students to study at their own pace, with open enrollment available at all times.
However, students must complete the course within 18 months, dedicating a total of 450 hours to their studies.
Typically, the tuition is $6,020, though you might find periods when the tuition is discounted.
The subjects you’ll study include:
- QuickBooks Online
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
At the end of the course, you’ll take exams for these three subjects to become certified in each.
Additionally, completing the course will earn you a certification of completion.
The Veterinary Office Manager program is designed for flexible online learning.
Students can enroll at any time and study at their own pace but must complete the course within 18 months, dedicating a total of 450 hours to their studies.
The tuition for the program is typically $6,020, although discounts may be available during certain periods.
The curriculum covers:
- QuickBooks Online
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Veterinary Assistant
At the end of the course, students will take exams for these subjects to earn individual certifications.
Additionally, successful completion of the program will award a certification of completion.
Eastern Florida State College ![](https://www.vocationaltraininghq.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot-2024-07-13-125458.png)
Through this college, you’ll earn a certificate in Veterinary Practice Management.
This advanced program is only available online.
Students must accumulate just 19 credits to graduate.
If you don’t already have an associate’s degree, you can’t enroll in the program.
The tuition is $2,500 because the courses follow the bachelor’s degree, being in the 3,000 and 4,000 bracket.
School Name | Address |
---|---|
Florida Gulf Coast University Innovative Education & Partnerships | 10501 FGCU Blvd. South Fort Myers, FL 33965 |
University of Central Florida UCF Continuing Education | 12351 Research Parkway Orlando, FL 32826 |
Eastern Florida State College | 1519 Clearlake Road Cocoa, FL 32922 |
Eastern Florida State College | 3865 North Wickham Road Melbourne, FL 32935 |
Eastern Florida State College | 250 Community College Parkway Palm Bay, FL 32909 |
Eastern Florida State College | 1311 North U.S. 1 Titusville, FL 32796 |
Salary for Vet Office Manager in Florida
Now that you understand the role and responsibilities of a veterinary office manager, let’s look at the potential earnings for this position.
In Florida, the average annual salary for a veterinary office manager is around $82,064.
It’s important to note that salaries can vary widely depending on the specific region within the state.
For a more detailed view of these regional differences, please see the table below.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Delray Beach | $84,569 |
Greenacres | $84,396 |
Indiantown | $84,050 |
Loxahatchee | $83,964 |
Palm Beach | $83,878 |
Wellington | $83,791 |
Hollywood | $83,446 |
Miami | $83,359 |
Marathon | $83,273 |
Hialeah | $83,014 |
Regional Salary in Florida
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | 340 | $39,120 | $18.81 | $48,170 | $29,150 |
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | 230 | $37,240 | $17.91 | $47,190 | $29,230 |
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | 200 | $34,700 | $16.68 | $44,480 | $27,280 |
Gainesville, FL | 200 | $37,290 | $17.93 | $48,300 | $28,630 |
Homosassa Springs, FL | 100 | $33,700 | $16.2 | $45,760 | $27,220 |
Jacksonville, FL | 950 | $37,520 | $18.04 | $47,290 | $28,650 |
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | 210 | $36,890 | $17.74 | $47,500 | $28,850 |
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,990 | $40,440 | $19.44 | $50,410 | $30,140 |
Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | 190 | $39,760 | $19.12 | $49,130 | $30,010 |
North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | 410 | $38,360 | $18.44 | $48,000 | $29,780 |
Ocala, FL | 220 | $34,800 | $16.73 | $46,590 | $27,420 |
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,060 | $38,080 | $18.31 | $48,000 | $29,220 |
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | 320 | $37,390 | $17.98 | $49,800 | $28,870 |
Panama City, FL | 70 | $34,540 | $16.61 | $45,900 | $28,020 |
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | 260 | $36,940 | $17.76 | $48,170 | $28,020 |
Port St. Lucie, FL | 220 | $36,910 | $17.75 | $47,150 | $28,960 |
Punta Gorda, FL | 80 | $37,600 | $18.08 | $49,470 | $28,130 |
Tallahassee, FL | 250 | $35,600 | $17.12 | $46,050 | $26,780 |
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,730 | $38,010 | $18.28 | $47,500 | $29,320 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which skills do I need as a vet office manager in Florida?
Every profession values certain skills more than others.
For vet office managers, there are three essential skills that stand out, along with several other important but slightly less critical abilities.
The most important skills are:
- Motivational Skills
- Staff Retention Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
Other valuable skills include:
- Attention to detail
- Strong managerial abilities
- Solid administrative skills
- Excellent writing, reading, computer, and internet proficiency
What career options do I have in Florida with this type of training?
Training as a vet office manager can open the door to these types of jobs:
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Office Management
- Animal Boarding and Grooming
- Laboratory Animal Care
What is the job outlook for vet office managers in Florida?
The vet office manager job is a stable one.
However, if the market and economy fluctuate often, things can change.
This shouldn’t influence those who are dedicated to their job and the animals they help.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Veterinary Practice Manager