What Does a Veterinary Practice Manager Do?

Veterinary practice managers are responsible for providing business management services and overseeing operations in the veterinary setting. They ensure that daily operations run smoothly in the clinic, allowing veterinarians to focus solely on practicing medicine rather than the many details of running a business.

Veterinary Practice Manager Duties & Responsibilities

Duties for a veterinary practice manager may include:

• Financial reporting, including accounts receivable, income reconciliation, credit, accounts payable, inventory, budgeting, and setting fees
• Patient medical records oversight and management
• Client service, including client communication, education, interaction, grief protocol, patient, and staff comfort
• Community involvement, including participation in fundraising and charity events

Veterinary practice managers are responsible for overseeing staff management and client relations. They may also need to handle animals on occasion if sufficient staff is not available to assist the veterinarians. Veterinary practice managers also must ensure that the clinic team provides quality care while generating adequate revenues to remain profitable.

Veterinary Practice Manager Salary

Many factors can influence the salary of veterinary practice managers, including the number of practices managed, the number of staff members managed, job responsibilities, the level of experience, certifications, and the location of the practice. 

• Median Annual Salary: $47,000 ($18.02)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $66,000 ($24.45)
• Bottom 10% Annual Salary: $35,000 ($14.31)

Source: PayScale, 2019

Education, Training, & Certification

A college degree is not necessarily required to be a veterinary practice manager, but a bachelor's degree or at least a background in business management may give candidates an advantage. Managers may also benefit from a variety of certification and training programs designed specifically for this niche career path.

• Certification: The Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation is not mandatory, but it's highly regarded in the industry. The certification program is administered by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA). CVPM applicants must have at least three years of active employment out of the last seven years as a practice manager; 18 college semester hours in management courses; 48 hours of continuing education courses related to management; and four letters of recommendation. They must also pass a written exam.
• Continuing education: Some colleges and universities offer graduate level courses that count towards the continuing education requirement for the CVPM designation. One such institution, Purdue University, offers a Veterinary Practice Management program. The program has four modules with multiple courses that include developing and leading a veterinary team, learning the financials of the practice, marketing, and social media among others.

Veterinary Practice Manager Skills & Competencies

To be successful in this role, you’ll generally need the following skills and qualities:

• Organization skills: This position requires overseeing and organizing important records and files.
• Leadership skills: Veterinary practice managers must be able to motivate employees and deal with issues that may arise so that the vets can focus on helping animals.
• Communication and interpersonal skills: The majority of a veterinary practice manager’s day is spent working with other people, so verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others are key to success.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in the field of veterinary medicine will grow 19 percent through 2026, which much faster than the overall employment growth of 7 percent for all occupations in the country.

In addition, the pet industry reached $72.56 billion in 2018 is expected to continue to show strong growth for the foreseeable future, according to the American Pet Products Association.

Both of these statistics suggest an above-average job outlook for veterinary practice managers.

Work Environment

Veterinary practice managers may work in any veterinary environment including small animal practices, large animal practices, emergency clinics, animal hospitals, university teaching clinics, and veterinary laboratories. They may find employment with one-doctor general practices or large specialty clinics with many practitioners.

Like many administrative and management positions, this job can require multitasking and is suited to those who thrive under pressure.

Work Schedule

As is the case with most veterinary career paths, it's common for a practice manager to work some evening, weekend, and holiday hours. 

Comparing Similar Jobs

People who are interested in becoming veterinary practice managers may also consider other careers with these median salaries:

• Human resources manager: $113,300
• Compensation and benefits manager: $121,010
• Meeting, convention, and event planner: $49,370

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2019

How to Get the Job