If you want to be a veterinary office manager in North Dakota, you will need some business experience, or at least in an administrative role.
Some experience in a veterinarian’s office would be helpful, but business acumen is more important.
The office manager runs the business side of the operation while the veterinarian and staff take care of the animals.
They are related but kept very separate in a medical-type office.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in North Dakota
The vet office manager keeps the business operating smoothly, starting with managing the money.
The office manager collects payments from clients and keeps track of billing.
The office also has bills that must be paid.
The office manager also handles the payroll.
This could include hiring, training employees, and resolving conflicts resolution of staff members.
Managing the facility itself could fall under the office manager’s responsibility.
This would include keeping supplies stocked and arranging for cleaning or lawn care.
In large clinics, the office manager could have staff help and might take on more of a supervisory role.
In smaller operations, the office manager would probably do everything and might be the receptionist, too.
Licensing Requirements in North Dakota
Since the veterinary office manager is not involved with animal care, no licensing is required.
An office manager could lead animals to the veterinarian or help secure an animal, but not administer treatment or medication.
Experience with running a business is what is required.
There is a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager certificate that can be earned at the national level, and it does show that you are qualified, but even that is not required.
Vet Office Manager Programs
No license is required to be a vet office manager in North Dakota, so there are not many academic programs to choose from.
Even so, some business classes at the college level would help an office manager understand business better.
Certifications in software programs like Word or Excel would also be helpful.
A national organization can provide a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager certificate, which requires experience and passing an exam, and that can be done as an individual.
Top 2 Schools in North Dakota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | 221 Centennial Dr Stop 9021, Grand Forks, ND 58202 US |
| North Dakota State University | PO BOX 6050, Fargo, ND 58108 US |
Salary
Salaries for vet office managers in North Dakota are close to the national average, even if slightly under.
In Bismarck, the median salary of $84,812, ranging between $75,000 and $93,000.
It is not a lot different in smaller towns, such as Mandon, where the numbers are the same as in Bismarck.
It is a bit lower in Dickinson, a more remote town, where the median salary is $83,533.
The national median salary is $85,324, with a range of $75,000 to $93,000.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Vet Office Managers in North Dakota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Bismarck | $84,854 |
| West Fargo | $82,141 |
| Dickinson | $83,574 |
| Grand Forks | $80,247 |
| Mandan | $84,854 |
| Minot | $83,574 |
| Williston | $83,574 |
| Fargo | $82,141 |
| Almont | $83,574 |
| Crosby | $83,576 |
Regional Salary in North Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck, ND | 90 | $129,800 | $62.41 | $158,510 | $74,150 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 100 | $126,730 | $60.93 | $173,180 | $75,900 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is involved in becoming a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager?
You must pass an exam that you can take online, whether you pass or fail.
There is a fee of as much as $600 to take the test.
There are a few boxes you must also check, but you have a couple of years after passing the test to get that done.
You have to have 2–3 years of experience working in an animal clinic and or a couple of years of business management experience.
You will also need two years of college-level business administration classes.
There are also continuing education requirements to maintain that accreditation.
Is the CVPM necessary?
On the surface, getting a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager certification is unnecessary.
It is not required by law, and a practice can hire anyone it wants to, certificate or not.
If you are moving to a new area or don’t know anyone in the field, a certificate might get you in the door.
It carries some weight and could make a difference if they don’t have anyone in mind.
How would the cold weather affect office managers?
North Dakota is known as the coldest state, except for Alaska.
Cold weather might limit travel, causing scheduling issues.
Employees may have a hard time getting to work.
It would be good to know how to keep animals warm and be able to answer general questions about how cold affects animals.
How much involvement can an office manager have with the animals?
Office managers run the business and, in larger operations, may not be very involved at all.
An office manager could receive animals and lead them to the veterinarian or a cage.
An office manager could help restrain animals or assist with moving animals.
They would not be allowed to give out medication, administer shots, or do things that directly involve medical care.
How would being a rural state like North Dakota affect an office manager?
North Dakota is a very rural state.
It has only one city with more than 100,000 people and only nine cities with more than 8,000.
As a result, most clinics will be small, and many will be working with farm animals as well as pets.
Veterinarians may leave the office a lot to visit farms, which could create scheduling issues.
The small operation may not have a lot of staff, so the office manager might have to take on even more tasks.
On the other hand, it should be slower-paced than larger clinics.
