To become a veterinary office manager in South Dakota, you need some solid business experience, and a little time in a vet’s office would also help.
Experience of running an office is the most valuable asset you could have.
It’s not even required that it be in a vet’s office.
The office manager keeps the ship sailing smoothly so the medical staff can focus on the animals.
To get the job, you must show that you have the needed skills and can do the job.
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Vet Office Manager Duties in South Dakota
The office manager has to do a lot of different things to keep the operation running.
The first thing is to take care of the finances.
This would include paying bills and receiving payment from clients.
Keeping the financial books in order and notifying the vet of any issues would be essential.
Keeping records of patient visits and animal health records would also be a big part of the job.
The office manager would also be in charge of some employees and payroll for all employees.
This might involve hiring, training and conflict resolution as well.
Making sure the office is stocked with all needed items would also be a concern.
Managing the facility itself might also fall under the office manager.
This could involve arranging for cleaning and lawn care.
Licensing Requirements in South Dakota
South Dakota has strict guidelines on who may do what for animals at a clinic.
An office manager who only manages the office can still lead animals to an exam room or help restrain an animal—basic things like that—without any license needed.
If they administer medication, give shots, or even take vital signs, licensing is required.
A Certified Veterinary Practice Manager accreditation from a national organization is available but not required.
This certifies you have the background and skills to do the job of office manager, and some take this more seriously than others.
Vet Office Manager Programs
A national organization runs the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager program.
That is something you can take online.
It’s not cheap and not required in South Dakota.
You could get a degree in business management from any university, but getting the job is more about experience.
Getting some certification on software programs like Word or Excell, would also be good.
Even so, there are no programs to help you become a vet office manager in South Dakota.
Top 1 Schools in South Dakota
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Black Hills State University | 1200 University St. Unit 9511, Spearfish, SD 57799 US |
Salary
South Dakota is well below the national average pay for vet office managers.
The cost of living is relatively low in the state, so maybe it balances out.
The national median salary is $85,324, ranging from $75,000 to $94,000.
In Aberdeen, the median is $77,000, ranging from 68,000 to $85,000.
In Sioux Falls, by far the largest city, the median is not much more at $78,000.
In a more remote town, the median salary for Watertown is $76,000, ranging from $67,000 to $83,000.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Vet Office Managers in South Dakota
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen | $70,605 |
| Watertown | $76,168 |
| Brookings | $76,168 |
| Deadwood | $74,650 |
| Pierre | $71,885 |
| Sioux Falls | $77,448 |
| Rapid City | $75,929 |
| Allen | $74,650 |
| Claremont | $80,861 |
| Glencross | $70,607 |
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 60 | $96,930 | $46.6 | $131,440 | $57,570 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 240 | $105,090 | $50.53 | $141,320 | $73,890 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager program work?
The program is a test to show you have the expertise to do the office manager job.
There are some requirements, and you must pass a test.
You have to have a couple of years of experience in a veterinary clinic and a couple of years of college-level business classes.
Some continuing education classes are also required.
You can apply and then take the test online.
If you do pass the test, you still have a couple of years to meet the other requirements.
What would be unique to South Dakota from an office manager's point of view?
South Dakota is a very rural state.
The biggest city is Sioux Falls, at a reasonable 210,000, but the second largest is Rapid City, at 80,000.
There are only 13 towns with more than 10,000 people, so saying it is rural is almost an understatement.
This means there are a lot of small rural clinics out there with small staff.
Office managers may not be in a hectic situation often, but they will have to be versatile and able to handle many tasks.
There will be more emphasis on farm animals, and veterinarians may go to farms as much as animals come to them.
Office managers may find scheduling a little more tricky than in other states.
How much medical knowledge do office managers need?
In South Dakota, they may need more medical knowledge than in other states.
The business operation is separate from the medical side, but in a small operation, there is more overlap.
An office manager without a medical license may not give out medicine, give shots, or run tests.
However, they may need to do things like lead animals to exam rooms, help restrain pets, and other minor tasks.
They may also be the receptionist and be counted on to answer customer questions about animal health.
Is the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager test worth taking?
The test is not cheap, at $500 or more.
It is pass or fail, and if you don’t pass, you must pay the fee to repeat.
Certification is not required.
The value is that it gives you something to show a prospective employer that you have the chops to get the job done.
If you are applying in an area where you don’t know people, it would give you some legitimacy.
