Overview
Are you working in the animal care industry and want to expand your knowledge and potential? Do you want a pathway into the veterinary field? The Veterinary Practice Management certificate will start you on your path to working in and managing a veterinary hospital and to getting certified as a Veterinary Practice Manager.
Why Great Bay?
- Small class size and individual attention from instructors and advisors.
- Credentialed faculty with extensive industry experience.
Career Options
- Working veterinary technicians or individuals who are employed in a veterinary office setting can improve their potential with this certificate
- Working veterinary practice managers can prepare to become certified as a veterinary practice manager
- Individuals currently enrolled in a veterinary technology program, other animal care business or business management, can enter the field of veterinary medicine with the academics needed to work towards managing a veterinary practice
- For more info, visit: https://www.vhma.org/home
Related Degrees
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Program Specific Requirements
In-Depth Description
There is a need for educated managers in the veterinary profession. Veterinarians want to practice their medical skills, leaving the small business and management tasks to someone they can trust. This certificate program prepares a student to work as a Veterinary Practice Manager, Office Manager, Hospital Manager or Head Technician within the veterinary office.  As well as business, management and accounting courses, the program offers veterinary medical terminology and law.
Graduates of the Veterinary Technology program or students who are currently in the program may take these courses to add to their training. Working technicians or individuals who are employed in an office setting can improve their potential with this certificate.
The program prepares the student for certification through the Veterinary Hospital Manager’s Association (VHMA).
To become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), one has to have been active as a practice manager for 3 of the last 7 years, have a minimum of 18 credits of management related courses, and complete 48 hours of continuing education to be able to sit for the practice manager’s exam.
Technical Standards
The successful Veterinary Manager will be emotionally and psychologically stable.  As well, graduates will be expected to establish priorities, be detail oriented, function effectively in emergency situations, and communicate in a professional mannerÂ
Admissions Criteria
- Complete an application to the program.
- Provide proof of high school completion or equivalent.
- Place into college level Math, Reading and Writing or demonstrate equivalent competencies through a college transcript or SAT scores.
- Show documented work experience (ex: a letter from the applicant’s supervisor or pay stubs) of at least 2 years in one of the following: veterinary clinic, animal care business, or medical or business office, or acceptance into the Veterinary Technology Program. Graduation or enrollment in another AVMA accredited Veterinary Technology program will fulfill this requirement.
Transfer Credit Policy
In addition to Great Bay Community College transfer credit policies, transfer of courses in Veterinary Practice Management more than ten years old will be evaluated by the program coordinator on an individual basis.
How do get certified as a VPM?
To become a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), one has to have been active as a practice manager for 3 of the last 7 years, have a minimum of 18 credits of management related courses, and complete 48 hours of continuing education to be able to sit for the practice manager’s exam.https://www.vhma.org/cvpm-certification/about-certification
Salary Q&A
To learn more about potential earnings visit: Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational Outlook HandbookÂ
Program Outcomes
Graduates from the Veterinary Practice Management Certificate will:
- Perform human resource functions such as staffing, scheduling, employee management.
- Prepare financial statements and other business monitoring analyses.
- Prepare marketing strategies for a veterinary practice.
- Comply with veterinary and medical laws and regulations such as rabies compliance, controlled substance compliance, and veterinary practice act compliance.
- Review and utilize simple business contracts.
- Perform operational functions in a veterinary business such as inventory, ordering, scheduling, and client communications.
- Utilize veterinary practice software to perform these tasks.
Health Sciences and Services20 Credits Required
