How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Louisiana

Louisiana boasts a vibrant community of animal lovers who prioritize their pets’ health and well-being.

If you have a passion for animals and want to make a meaningful impact, consider a career as a veterinary office manager.

In this role, you will promote animal welfare by ensuring the efficient operation of a veterinary practice, without being directly involved in medical procedures or surgeries.

Your duties will focus on administrative and organizational tasks, much like office managers in other fields.

Read on in order to learn more about this job!

Job Description for Vet Office Managers

Veterinary office managers primarily work in animal clinics, hospitals, and occasionally with animal rescue organizations.

Their duties are similar to those of administrative assistants or general office managers.

However, each veterinary office has its own unique operational style, even within the same industry.

Here are some common responsibilities of veterinary office managers:

• Scheduling appointments
• Billing pet owners
• Ordering supplies
• Supervising office staff

Job descriptions are beneficial for both employers and job seekers.

Veterinary practice owners are typically the ones hiring for these roles.

When applying for a veterinary office manager position, candidates are usually expected to meet certain criteria.

Relevant experience, often ranging from 1 to 7 years, is typically required.

Not all employers have the same requirements when it comes to education.

For some positions you may only present a high school diploma or GED, while others might prefer a diploma related to veterinary office management or a similar field.

Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Louisiana

If you’re becoming more interested in a career as a veterinary office manager, it’s essential to know the steps to reach this goal.

Typically, your journey starts with completing high school or obtaining a GED.

Next, consider enrolling in a degree program, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree, ideally in business administration or a related field.

Alternatively, you can enhance your qualifications by pursuing certification after high school.

A respected option is the certification offered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA).

To earn this certification, you’ll need to enroll in their program and pass an exam.

While VHMA membership is optional, it comes with additional benefits.

The exam is administered at various testing centers across Louisiana.

Be aware of the exam fees:

• $675 for VHMA members
• $825 for non-members

Vet Office Manager Training Programs in Louisiana

After you finish the other requirements, you need to think about the next steps which is training.

Where can you train as a vet office manager in this state?

Delgado Community College

At this college, you can choose from the:

• Veterinary Technology Associate Degree Program (A.A.S.)
• Veterinary Assistant Certificate of Technical Studies (C.T.S.) Program.

Let’s learn more about each of these degrees.

Certificate of Technical Studies in Veterinary Assisting

This program has a duration of 2 semesters.

Students will learn to:

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with tasks such as:
  • Restraining animals,
  • Processing lab work,
  • Sterilizing equipment,
  • Handling specimen samples,
  • Assisting with radiographs,
  • Educating pet owners,
  • Researching records on vaccines and medications
  • Kennel duties,
  • Clerical work,
  • Filling prescriptions,
• Alleviate the workload of veterinarians and veterinary technicians by handling tasks that allow these professionals to focus on procedures only they are legally permitted to perform.

Associate Degree in Veterinary Technology

This program has a duration of 6 semesters.

Students will learn how to assist veterinarians with:

• Surgery and anesthesia,
• Physical exams,
• Radiographs,
• Client education,
• Animal nursing care,
• Office duties,
• Drug calculations,
• Lab work,
• Emergency and critical care,
• The care of farm animals and exotic species.

Louisiana State University – Shreveport

Here you have access to an online course for a vet office manager position.

However, you’ll need a PC to complete it, as other operating systems are not compatible.

The course has 450 hours that must be completed in 18 months.

The cost of this course is $6,170 and sometimes there are sales available.

The tuition includes the fees for the following exams:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• QuickBooks Online

You’ll get a certificate for each of these if you pass.

The only downside for this course is that you won’t obtain any other credential than the ones above.

Salary for Vet Office Manager in Louisiana

You’ve explored the role of a veterinary office manager, the steps to pursue this career, and where to receive the necessary training.

Now, let’s delve into the average salary for this profession.

In Louisiana, veterinary office managers typically earn an average annual salary of $82,150.

Keep in mind that salaries can vary, with some regions of the state offering higher wages than others.

For a detailed analysis, refer to the table below.

Regional Salary in Louisiana

Vet Office Manager by State