What a veterinary practice manager does
A veterinary practice manager runs the business and operations of an animal hospital or clinic. They hire and schedule staff, prepare payroll inputs and budgets, oversee inventory and pharmacy ordering, handle client complaints and keep the facility ready for inspection. They also look after the systems clients rarely see, from appointment templates and reminder campaigns to supplier contracts and equipment maintenance. When the manager is effective, veterinarians and technicians spend their time on patients and owners get reliable information about how the practice is doing.
The role calls for someone who understands veterinary work as well as management. In Ontario, veterinarians providing clinical care must work from a facility accredited by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, and a licensed veterinarian serves as facility director. A practice manager supports that director with records, inspections and standards. Finch asks about your team size, ownership structure, software and the problems you want solved, then screens for the right mix of veterinary and business experience.
Typical responsibilities
- Recruit, schedule and support veterinarians, RVTs, assistants and client service staff
- Prepare budgets, monitor revenue and expenses, and report results to the owner or medical director
- Manage inventory and pharmacy ordering, and help maintain controlled drug logs with the veterinary team
- Support the facility director with CVO accreditation, inspections and records
- Handle client concerns, complaints and service standards
- Oversee practice software, reminders and client communication
Qualifications and credentials
- Experience managing a veterinary hospital or clinic, or a senior role in one, such as head technician or client service lead
- Knowledge of CVO facility accreditation standards and inspection requirements
- Business skills in budgeting, staff scheduling, payroll inputs and inventory control
- Working experience with veterinary software, for example ezyVet, Cornerstone or AVImark
- The Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) designation from the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association, which some employers value
Who hires a veterinary practice manager
- Independent companion animal hospitals
- Multi-veterinarian and multi-location practices
- Emergency and specialty hospitals
- Corporate veterinary groups
- Practices preparing for a change in ownership
Where we recruit veterinary practice manager candidates
We fill veterinary practice manager roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Ask about the size and makeup of the teams the candidate has managed
- Confirm experience preparing a facility for CVO accreditation and inspections
- Review how they have managed budgets, inventory and staff schedules
- Discuss how they have responded to staff turnover and burnout
- Check references from practice owners or medical directors
Interview questions to ask
- How have you prepared a clinic for a CVO inspection?
- What would you look at first if inventory costs were rising faster than revenue?
- How do you support a team after a difficult week of emergencies and euthanasias?