How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Illinois

If you love animals and want to contribute to their well-being, a career in a veterinary setting in Illinois could be ideal for you.

Instead of aiming for a role as a veterinarian or vet assistant, consider becoming the office manager.

As a veterinary office manager, you’ll oversee the business aspects of the practice, enabling veterinarians and clinical staff to focus on caring for the animals.

Job Description for Vet Office Managers

The responsibilities of a veterinary office manager are similar to those of an administrative assistant or general office manager.

These tasks can vary widely depending on the specific office and can change from day to day.

Many employers seek veterinary office managers with 1 to 7 years of experience, often making it a mandatory requirement for job postings.

However, there are instances where having only a high school diploma or GED is sufficient for hiring.

Veterinary office managers are responsible for overseeing and coordinating administrative procedures in veterinary clinics or hospitals, reporting directly to the practice owners.

They ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the office by:

• Scheduling appointments
• Billing pet owners
• Ensuring the clinic is well supplied
• Supervising office staff

Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Illinois

The typical career path for a veterinary office manager begins with obtaining a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.

Many aspiring vet office managers then enroll in an 18-semester-hour certification program offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).

To achieve this certification, you must pass an exam available at one of the various testing centers statewide.

Exam fees are $675 for VHMA members and $825 for non-members.

The next step is to pursue a degree program, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.

Employers usually prefer candidates with up to 7 years of experience in both veterinary and office management.

Additionally, continuing education and obtaining further certifications can enhance your qualifications and improve your job prospects as a veterinary office manager.

Vet Office Manager Programs in Illinois

After you are done with the education part, it is time to search for a program that suits your needs.

So, what vet assistant programs can you attend in Illinois?

Illinois Valley Community College

This online training course will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become a valuable member of any veterinary team.

Through this veterinary assistant program, you will cover all aspects of veterinary assisting, including:

• Anatomy and physiology,
• Animal restraint,
• Laboratory procedures,
• Emergency care,
• Assisting with small and large animals,
• Working with exotic species,
• Veterinary dentistry,
• The human-animal bond,
• Pharmacy procedures.

You will also learn to interact professionally with clients and educate them on important pet care topics such as nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication.

This program prepares you to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing patient care.

Completing this comprehensive course can help you secure a new job or achieve a promotion within 120 days of completion.

University of Illinois at Springfield

Not everyone prefers or can attend traditional in-person college classes.

Fortunately, this college offers a vet office manager training program specifically designed for such students.

The program lasts 18 months, during which you’ll complete 450 hours of coursework.

As part of the program, you’ll receive three vouchers for the following exams:

• QuickBooks Certified User Exam
• Microsoft Word Exam
• Microsoft Excel Exam

The Word and Excel exams are taken separately.

Mastery of these three applications is essential for any office environment.

The full cost of this comprehensive course is $6,170.

However, you can manage this expense through monthly installments with Affirm.

Additionally, you might be eligible for a tuition discount for this program.

ProTrain

This institution offers a certificate program with a duration of 12 months.

You can study when you can or want, but after 12 months you won’t have access to the course anymore.

During this timeframe, you must complete 400 hours of training.

There are 9 lessons in total and all the materials you need are also included.

The tuition for this course is $2,595.

If you’re successful, then you can take the test for certification.

Salary for Vet Office Manager in Illinois

Now that you have a grasp of the role of a veterinary office manager, the pathway to this career, and where to obtain the required training, it’s time to look at the potential earnings.

In Illinois, veterinary office managers make an average annual salary of around $88,370.

In the table below you’ll see the cities where the income is higher.

Regional Salary in Illinois

Vet Office Manager by State