Who are Certified Veterinary Practice Managers?

Like managers in other professions, Certified Veterinary Practice Managers (CVPMs) are managers and leaders who are responsible for creating a positive, inclusive and engaging professional workplace culture, and for managing and overseeing the operations of a business, which in the case of a CVPM, is a veterinary clinic or hospital. They understand the specialization of veterinary medicine, are passionate about people and animals, and ensure that the overall practice runs optimally to the benefit of staff, animals and pet owners alike.

For more information, visit the website for the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association.

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Career planning

Veterinary Practice Managers come from all backgrounds but share a passion for and dedication to animals and people. Their focus is on motivating, leading and managing people, advancing their team members, and on handling multiple and diverse responsibilities. Their skills and business knowledge are applicable to other industries — it’s their interest in animals that sets them on the CVPM path.

Here are some of the positions typically available in veterinary practice management:

• Hospital Manager
• Hospital Administrator
• Practice Manager
• Office Manager
• Human Resources Manager
• Chief Financial Officer
• Financial Manager
• Patient Care Manager
• Facility Manager
• Client Relations Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Inventory Manager
• Regional or District Manager
• Operations Manager

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Education & experience

Education

Becoming a CVPM requires professional development in several key areas: communication, practice management, leadership, finance and human resources. The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association has an education map that outlines the various educational options.

Experience

In order to get your certification you must have experience as a Practice Manager for a minimum of three years within the last seven.

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Certification

Certification is offered through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association and is accredited by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

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Skills

Being a CVPM is a leadership position that requires similar management skills as for other professions. A professional CVPM must have:

• Human resources skills
• Client relation skills
• Communication and networking skills
• Leadership skills
• Analytical skills
• Technical skills
• Financial skills

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Compensation & hours

Compensation

As in every profession, there are a number of factors that influence compensation, including: your level of education; your experience; if you have your own practice or are working at a veterinary clinic; the province or territory you’re practicing in; the number of years you’ve been practicing; the size of practice where you’re working; the type of practice; whether you’re practicing in an urban or rural setting; and external factors such as supply and demand and the country’s overall economic situation. The average salary is between $28-$40 an hour and may include profit sharing, business inclusion, bonuses and partnership.

Hours

Like in many other professions, a CVPM’s work week is based on an average of eight hours a day for a total of 40 hours a week.

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Lifestyle & wellness

Being a CVPM is a calling for many professionals. This passion can have both a positive and negative impact on a person’s lifestyle — it can be motivating, rewarding and engaging, but can also be all consuming, emotionally draining and tuning out at the end of a work day can be challenging for many.

Here are a few aspects of the profession that CVPMs should be aware of: