How to Become a Vet Office Manager in Texas

Texas is home to numerous pet owners committed to their animals’ health and well-being.

If you want to play a vital role in animal care without directly participating in surgeries or medical treatments, consider becoming a veterinary office manager.

This position emphasizes administrative and managerial duties, enabling you to contribute to animal welfare in a crucial yet different way.

If you’re interested in this career path, read on to discover more about the role and its responsibilities.

Job Description for Vet Office Managers

Veterinary office managers typically work in animal clinics, hospitals, and sometimes rescue organizations.

While their responsibilities can overlap with those of administrative assistants or general office managers, the specific duties often depend on the workplace.

Common tasks for veterinary office managers include:

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

It’s crucial for both veterinary practice owners and those aspiring to be veterinary office managers to understand these responsibilities.

Candidates for this role generally have:

• 1 to 7 years of relevant experience
• A high school diploma or GED, though some positions may prefer a degree in a related field

Becoming a Vet Office Manager in Texas

Complete secondary education by earning a high school diploma or GED.

Pursue higher education to advance your knowledge with an associate or bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.

Earn some certifications to boost your credentials by obtaining certification post-high school.

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

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

While VHMA membership is optional, it offers additional benefits.

Certification exams are available at various testing centers throughout Texas, with the following fees:

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

Vet Office Manager Training Programs in Texas

So where can you enroll in a vet office manager school in Texas?

Let’s find out.

Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

The Veterinary Office Manager course equips you with the essential skills to manage the business side of a veterinary practice and prepares you for a career as a veterinary office manager.

You’ll also gain proficiency in Microsoft Office, valuable in any profession, whether you’re just starting out or already experienced.

Besides office management training, this course includes fundamental veterinary assistant training.

You’ll learn QuickBooks Online to handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll, providing crucial skills that stand out on any resume.

The course also prepares you for certification exams in Microsoft Word, Excel, and the QuickBooks Certified User exam, setting you on a path to success as a veterinary office manager and beyond.

Upon completing the course, you’ll receive vouchers to take the QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) Exam and Microsoft exams for MO-201 or MO-211 (Excel) and MO-101 or MO-111 (Word).

The vouchers cover the exam fees, though proctoring fees may apply and are not included.

Among the things you will learn:

• Anatomy and physiology of major organ systems
• Managing medical records and effective communication with clients and coworkers
• Restraint techniques, taking vital signs, and animal bathing
• Basics of nutrition, vaccinations, and medication administration
• Assisting during surgery and dental procedures
• Preparing prescriptions, taking blood samples, and radiographs
• Duties of a veterinary office manager
• Efficient use of Microsoft Office Word and Excel
• Professional communication skills and office etiquette
• Effective creation and dissemination of information or data
• Analyzing accounts, financial documents, and reports
• Essential bookkeeping tasks and principles, including accrual method and depreciation, using QuickBooks

How You Will Benefit:

• Gain the skills to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in patient care
• Acquire the knowledge needed to manage the business aspects of a veterinary office, including expertise in Microsoft Word, Excel, and QuickBooks
• Prepare for the QuickBooks Certified User (QBCU) Exam and the Microsoft Expert exams for Excel and Word

Salary for Vet Office Manager in Texas

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

Furthermore, you should know what your income will look like.

In Texas, veterinary office managers usually earn an average yearly salary of approximately $86,383.

However, this amount can vary significantly depending on the specific region within the state.

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

Regional Salary in Texas

Vet Office Manager by State