How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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 are employed in animal clinics, hospitals, and occasionally in rescue organizations.

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

Key responsibilities of veterinary office managers typically include:

• Scheduling appointments
• Handling client billing
• Ordering and managing supplies
• Supervising office staff

Grasping these responsibilities is essential for both veterinary practice owners and individuals aiming for this role.

Common qualifications for candidates usually involve:

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

Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Rhode Island

To start a career as a veterinary office manager, follow these crucial steps:

• Complete Your Secondary Education:
  • Obtain a high school diploma or GED.
• Pursue Higher Education:
  • Enhance your expertise with an associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
• Earn Certification:
  • Strengthen your credentials by obtaining certification after finishing high school.

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) provides a highly regarded certification for aspiring veterinary office managers.

To earn this certification, you must complete the VHMA program and pass the associated exam.

Although VHMA membership is not mandatory, it offers additional benefits.

Certification exams are conducted at various testing centers across Rhode Island, with fees as follows:

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

Vet Office Manager Training Programs in Rhode Island

If you are wondering where you can train as a vet office manager in Rhode Island,

Community College of Rhode Island

This center offers a course for those wanting to become vet office managers.

Candidates have 18 months to complete 450 hours of training, and to pay the $6,170 tuition.

This course will teach you how to manage the business operations of a veterinary clinic effectively.

You’ll become proficient in Microsoft Office Excel and Word, essential tools for any office environment.

Additionally, mastering QuickBooks Online is crucial for a veterinary office manager.

Upon completing the program, you will take three exams covering these mandatory office applications.

Passing these exams will earn you a certificate for each application.

These are the classes you’ll have to learn for:

• Microsoft Word at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels
• Microsoft Excel – introduction, intermediate, and advanced levels
• Veterinary Assistant:
  • Veterinary Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities
  • Veterinary Inventory Management
  • Pharmacy Procedures
  • Hospital Safety and Infection Control
  • Physical Exam and Patient History
  • Small-Animal Vaccines and Infectious Diseases
  • Small-Animal Nutrition
  • Small-Animal Nursing Procedures
• Professional Bookkeeping with QuickBooks Online
  • The Chart of Accounts
  • Centers and Lists
  • Bank Accounts
  • Recording Expenses and Paying Bills
  • Credit Cards and Loans
  • Sales Receipts
  • Invoices, Estimates, and Customizing Sales Forms
  • Billable Expenses and Customer Credits

At the end of each class, you’ll have to take the certification exam for that class.

Bristol Community College

This online course is designed for those aspiring to become veterinary office managers.

Please note that it requires a PC with Windows 10 at minimum, as other operating systems are incompatible.

The course spans 450 hours and must be completed within 18 months.

Tuition is $6,170, though discounts are occasionally available.

The cost includes exam fees for:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• QuickBooks Online

Upon passing these exams, you will receive a certificate for each.

The only drawback is that no additional credentials are awarded beyond these certifications.

Salary for Vet Office Manager in Rhode Island

Understanding the responsibilities, career path, and training opportunities for a veterinary office manager is essential.

You should also have more info about your earnings.

In Rhode Island, veterinary office managers generally earn an average yearly salary of approximately $90,184.

However, salaries can vary significantly based on the specific region within the state.

For a detailed breakdown of salary variations by region, please see the table below.

Regional Salary in Rhode Island

Vet Office Manager by State