In South Carolina, the well-being of many animals is in the hands of those who love and are dedicated to the animals.
If you have a passion for animals and want to play a more integral role in their care, consider becoming a veterinary office manager.
This role enables you to contribute to animal care while avoiding direct involvement in surgeries or medical treatments.
Your duties will align more with those of a traditional office manager rather than a medical professional.
If this sounds appealing, continue reading to discover more about this profession!
Article Table of Contents
Job Description for Vet Office Managers
Veterinary office managers are employed in animal clinics, hospitals, and occasionally rescue organizations.
Although their roles are similar to those of administrative assistants or general office managers, the exact duties will differ.
Understanding these responsibilities is crucial for both veterinary practice owners and those aspiring to this role.
Typical responsibilities of veterinary office managers include:
- Scheduling appointments
- Supervising office staff
- Handling client billing
- Ordering and managing supplies
Common qualifications for candidates often 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 South Carolina
There are 3 steps to becoming a vet office manager, and you can learn more right here!
Obtaining a high school diploma or GED is where you must start.
Advancing your knowledge with an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field is a wise second step.
Bolster your qualifications by obtaining some certifications in the veterinary field.
Those who want a good certificate, should consider the one offered by VHMA (Veterinary Hospital Managers Association).
You’ll need to attend a course first, and then pass the associated program.
While VHMA membership is not required, it provides additional benefits.
Certification exams are available at various testing centers throughout South Carolina, with the following fees:
- $675 for VHMA members
- $825 for non-members
Training Programs for Vet Office Manager in South Carolina
This is a selection of training programs for vet office managers in South Carolina.
University of South Carolina Lancaster
This university offers a veterinary office manager course that takes place 100% online.
You probably already know how to use Microsoft Office, however through this course you’ll go deeper into its use.
Along with training for the office management side of a veterinary office manager job, this course also includes basic veterinary assistant training.
When completing the course, you will receive vouchers to sit for the QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) Exam and the Microsoft exams.
The vouchers are included in the tuition, and they offer access to the certifying exam upon eligibility.
Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.
During the course, you will learn:
- The anatomy and physiology of the major organ systems
- Handling medical records and communicating with clients and coworkers
- Basic accounting principles and how QuickBooks works to support bookkeeping practices
- Restraint techniques used in procedures, taking vital signs, and bathing animals
- Essential bookkeeping duties and tasks
- Important knowledge related to nutrition, vaccinations, and administering medication
- Analysis of accounts, financial documents, and reports
- Assisting during surgery and dental procedures
- Preparation of prescriptions and taking radiographs and blood samples
- The duties of a veterinary office manager
- Methods to efficiently use Microsoft Office Word and Excel Professional communication skills and office etiquette
- The best ways to create and send information or data for the most impact
School Name | Address |
---|---|
University of South Carolina Lancaster | 476 Hubbard Dr, Lancaster, SC 29720 |
Salary for Vet Office Manager in South Carolina
Grasping the duties, career trajectory, and available training for a veterinary office manager is crucial.
Additionally, being informed about potential earnings is important.
In South Carolina, veterinary office managers typically earn an average annual salary of around $81,545.
However, these earnings can fluctuate considerably depending on the particular area within the state.
In case you want to know where the salaries are higher, the table below will show you a selection of 10 cities that meet this criterion.
Annual Salary Range:Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
---|---|
Bowling Green | $83,705 |
Rock Hill | $83,618 |
Lando | $83,532 |
York | $83,448 |
Smyrna | $83,359 |
Fort Lawn | $83,273 |
Lancaster | $83,187 |
Hickory Grove | $82,668 |
Blacksburg | $82,496 |
Lockhart | $82,236 |
Regional Salary in South Carolina
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 330 | $41,760 | $20.08 | $51,650 | $33,830 |
Columbia, SC | 320 | $40,700 | $19.57 | $49,030 | $30,800 |
Florence, SC | 40 | $34,720 | $16.69 | $47,430 | $30,940 |
Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 490 | $44,470 | $21.38 | $56,590 | $31,530 |
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 90 | $43,060 | $20.7 | $57,970 | $31,860 |
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 190 | $38,450 | $18.49 | $46,520 | $29,970 |
Spartanburg, SC | 100 | $41,750 | $20.07 | $53,620 | $31,570 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What abilities do I need as a vet office manager in South Carolina?
These are some of the abilities needed for this job:
- Motivational Skills
- Staff Retention Skills
- Solid administrative skills
- Excellent writing, reading, computer, and internet proficiency
- Interpersonal Skills
- Attention to detail
- Strong managerial abilities
Is a vet office manager the same as a receptionist in South Carolina?
Yes and no because they have a lot of duties and responsibilities in common.
There are some responsibilities that will differ between these 2 occupations.
What career options do I have if I trained as a vet office manager in South Carolina?
These are some of the jobs you can apply for with your training:
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Office Management
- Animal Boarding and Grooming
- Laboratory Animal Care
Read the full guide: How to Become a Veterinary Practice Manager