How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is full of animal lovers who are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of their pets.

If you’re passionate about animals and seek a more involved role, becoming a veterinary office manager could be an excellent opportunity for you.

This position allows you to support animal care without being directly involved in surgeries or medical procedures.

Your responsibilities will closely resemble those of a traditional office manager rather than those of a medical professional.

If this introduction piques your interest, keep reading to learn more about this rewarding career path!

Job Description for Vet Office Managers

Veterinary office managers operate in animal clinics, hospitals, and occasionally within rescue organizations.

While their roles are similar to those of administrative assistants or general office managers, their specific duties can vary depending on the workplace.

Typical responsibilities of veterinary office managers include:

• Scheduling appointments
• Managing client billing
• Ordering and overseeing supplies
• Supervising office staff

Understanding these responsibilities is crucial for both veterinary practice owners and those aspiring to this role.

Common qualifications for candidates include:

• 1 to 7 years of relevant experience
• A high school diploma or GED, with some positions preferring a related degree

Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Pennsylvania

To launch a career as a veterinary office manager, follow these next 3 steps.

Earning your high school diploma or GED Is the first step.

Consider advancing your knowledge with an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Here are some related associate degrees you can consider:

• Business Administration
• Healthcare Administration
• Management
• Veterinary Technology

If you’re interested in related bachelor’s degrees for this job, look no further:

• General Business
• General Management
• Healthcare Management
• Health Services
• Liberal Studies

Enhance your qualifications by securing certification after completing high school.

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) offers a prestigious certification for this role.

To achieve this certification, you must enroll in the VHMA program and pass the required exam.

While membership in the VHMA is optional, it provides additional advantages.

In Pennsylvania, certification exams are available at various testing centers found throughout the state.

Due to the VHMA membership the fees are as follows:

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

Vet Office Manager Training Programs in Pennsylvania

So where can you train in this state?

Have a look at the available programs.

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

This school offers everything you need in order to jumpstart your career.

The Veterinary Office Manager course provides the essential skills needed to manage the business operations of a veterinary practice while preparing you for a role as a veterinary office manager.

You will also gain key competencies in Microsoft Office, valuable for any profession, whether you’re at an entry-level position or an experienced professional.

You will also learn more about basic veterinary assistant training.

This course also prepares you for certification exams in Microsoft Word, Excel, and QuickBooks.

When the program is over, you will have learned more about:

• Anatomy and physiology of major organ systems
• Managing medical records
• Restraint techniques, taking vital signs, and bathing animals
• Fundamentals of nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication
• Assisting in surgery and dental procedures
• Preparing prescriptions
• Taking blood samples and radiographs
• Responsibilities of a veterinary office manager
• Efficient use of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Professional communication skills and office etiquette
• Effective creation and dissemination of information or data
• Analysis of accounts, financial documents, and reports
• Essential bookkeeping tasks and basic accounting principles
• How QuickBooks supports bookkeeping practices

Those who enroll, something that can be done 24/7, have to pay $6,170 for all of the above.

Additionally, you’ll also receive the PDF textbooks you need for the course.

Manor College

This college offers a veterinary practice management program that ends in a Bachelor of Business Administration.

The program received accreditation from AVMA.

If you want to this program from another one you need to first, make sure your initial course is also accredited by AVMA.

Salary for Vet Office Manager in Pennsylvania

Grasping the responsibilities, career trajectory, and training options for a veterinary office manager is crucial.

It is also vital to assess the earning potential in this field.

In Pennsylvania, veterinary office managers typically earn an average annual salary of around $86,210.

However, salaries can differ widely depending on the region within the state.

For a detailed breakdown of these regional salary variations, please refer to the table below.

Regional Salary in Pennsylvania

Vet Office Manager by State