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Managing to excel
What are owners looking for in candidates? Plus, do you need a CVPM?
Kennel attendants, receptionists, veterinary assistants, and veterinary technicians: They've all become practice managers, rising through the ranks over the years or shooting like a star into management fast. No matter where you are now, if you' like your career path to lead you into management, start developing the qualities practice owners are looking for. And don't hesitate to let your boss know you'd love to learn and grow enough to be the manager one day: More than half of owners promote current team members to manager.
Data source: 2010 Firstline Team Trends Study
The complete package:
Does your practice employ a practice manager?
Was a current team member promoted to practice manager?
10 must-have qualities for practice managers
Is your practice manager a CVPM?
Data source: 2010 Firstline Team Trends Study
The complete package:
Does your practice employ a practice manager?
Was a current team member promoted to practice manager?
10 must-have qualities for practice managers
Is your practice manager a CVPM?
Data source: 2010 Veterinary Economics State of the Industry Study
The complete package:
Does your practice employ a practice manager?
Was a current team member promoted to practice manager?
10 must-have qualities for practice managers
Is your practice manager a CVPM?
Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM): Team members want to know what it is, and managers want to know if they need it. According to the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, it represents a manager's dedication to the profession. It requires hours of management-related courses, successful work experience, and a broad range of veterinary management skills. And, yes, Donna Bauman, CVPM, says it's a part of a natural career progression for practice managers.
The CVPM certification helped Bauman land an interview in sunny South Carolina after years in a snowy climate. Now she's hospital administrator at the four-practice Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and founder of Visions Veterinary Consulting. She says the CVPM is growing in visibility as a valued credential for practice owners.
"Owners used to ask for experience in manager candidates, then they asked for a business bachelor's degree," she says. "I have both, but now they were most interested in the CVPM."
When Bauman began her latest job, owners and associate veterinarians were appreciative of her experience and CVPM. "It's respected," she says.
Data source: 2010 Firstline Team Trends Study
The complete package:
Does your practice employ a practice manager?
Was a current team member promoted to practice manager?
10 must-have qualities for practice managers
Is your practice manager a CVPM?
The three-and-a-half-hour exam to earn a CVPM covers human resources, law and ethics, marketing, organization, and finance. Applicants need at least three years' experience as a practice manager in the past seven years, as well as 18 hours of college credit and 24 hours of CE—all in management-related subjects. The test is administered in cities across the country. Maintaining certification requires a fee and 48 hours of continuing education hours."My former boss said I needed to do it, so I did," Bauman says. "I think it's a good judge to make sure someone is well-rounded. And it's a boost. When I received that certified letter that I'd passed, I cried like a baby, I was so proud."If you want to learn more about the CVPM and other ways to blossom as a practice manager—or future practice manager—visit dvm360.com/cvpm.
Data source: 2010 Firstline Team Trends Study
The complete package:
Does your practice employ a practice manager?
Was a current team member promoted to practice manager?
10 must-have qualities for practice managers
