How to Become a Vet Office Manager in South Dakota

South Dakota boasts a community of dedicated animal lovers committed to their pets’ well-being.

Animal lovers who want to play a more integral role in their care, can consider becoming veterinary office managers.

Through this role, they usually avoid direct involvement in surgeries or medical treatments, though they can still help animals in need.

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.

Job Description for Vet Office Managers

Veterinary office managers are employed in animal clinics, hospitals, and occasionally rescue organizations.

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

Typical responsibilities of veterinary office managers include:

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

It’s good for both employees and employers to understand these basic duties.

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 Dakota

To begin a career as a veterinary office manager, consider these essential steps:

• Complete Secondary Education:
  • Obtain a high school diploma or GED.
• Pursue Higher Education:
  • Advance your knowledge with an associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
• Earn Certification:
  • Bolster your qualifications by obtaining certification post-high school.

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) offers a prestigious certification for those aiming to become veterinary office managers.

To achieve this certification, you need to complete the VHMA program and pass the corresponding exam.

Nobody has to become a member of this Association, although members have access to some benefits.

These certification exams are available at various testing centers throughout South Dakota, and they cost:

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

Vet Office Manager Training Programs in South Dakota

Now let’s see where you can train as a vet office manager in South Dakota.

Black Hills State University 

Not everyone prefers or is able to attend in-person college classes.

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

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

Included in the program are vouchers for the following exams:

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

All 3 exams are attended separately.

These three computer applications are essential in any office setting.

The total cost for this comprehensive course is $6,170, but you can manage payments through monthly installments with Affirm.

Additionally, you may find discounts on the tuition.

Study subjects include:

• 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

Western Dakota Technical College

This college offers a short course for those who want to become veterinary assistants.

The program is good for even for those hoping to become vet office managers in South Dakota as well, since the fields are related.

Enrolling in this course gives you access to 24 hours of course work that can be completed either in 3 months or in 6 weeks.

The difference is that the version with a 3-month duration is self-paced while the other one has an instructor.

Regardless of the above option you choose, you still have 12 lessons to finish.

For this course you’ll need to pay $135.

Even though the amount is so low, you can still use Affirm to help you pay the tuition.

Salary for Vet Office Manager in South Dakota

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 Dakota, veterinary office managers typically earn an average annual salary of around $77,658.

However, these earnings can fluctuate considerably depending on the particular area within the state.

For a comprehensive overview of salary differences by region, refer to the table below.

Regional Salary in South Dakota

Vet Office Manager by State