When veterinary management professionals gathered for the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association's (VHMA) “Racing toward Success” Annual Conference last month in Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR-themed gathering was already in high gear before its newest initiative was unveiled.
Surrounded by a record attendance of 688 conference registrants, 200 of whom were Certified Veterinary Practice Managers (CVPM), VHMA President Scott Zimmerman, BFA, CVPM, announced VHMA's launch of a new certification program for veterinary management professionals: the Certified Veterinary Office Manager (CVOM).
The CVOM program is intended to certify qualified management professionals focused on fundamental administrative office tasks, including team leadership roles. "The VHMA represents over 5,000 professionals with broad management responsibilities in their hospitals. VHMA's goal is to be a resource to all these professionals in their roles," said Zimmerman.
In assessing how to achieve this goal, the VHMA Board has recognized that there is a place for a certification program that meets the needs of veterinary management professionals with equally valuable responsibilities but different from those who qualify for the VHMA's CVPM program. The CVOM will fill that need.
An Overview of the CVOM Program
The CVOM program test blueprint will cover the following task domains:
Leadership; Administrative Management/Daily Operations & Organization of the Practice; Human Resources, Staff Management and Communication; Law & Ethics; Marketing; and Financial.
To qualify for the exam, candidates must have one year of experience in a veterinary practice, have accomplished specified tasks, and have two letters of recommendation.
Certified CVOM Members must recertify every two years with a continuing education requirement and a renewal fee. The new CVOM program is independent of the CVPM program; candidates must meet minimum requirements to qualify for either program.
The CVOM application process will open to qualified candidates in the first quarter 2025.
A Certification Concept Based on Meticulous Research
To develop the CVOM, a comprehensive needs assessment was conducted by VHMA. The VHMA Board hired a psychometric consultant and created an independent Task Force of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to evaluate the needs of its members and the industry.
The Task Force consisted of 17 subject matter experts, ranging from management professionals with less than six months of experience to managers with 15+ years of experience. The members of the Task Force assisted in guiding a job analysis study, which then informed the direction of this new program.
A respondent pool of almost 250 managers completed a detailed survey, which asked them to identify the importance and frequency of 101 management tasks. Based on the data provided, the program qualifications and requirements were finalized and ratified by both the VHMA and Certification Board.
“This entire process was as visionary as it was data driven. We feel proud that VHMA can deliver a certification filling a very distinct need," said VHMA Executive Director Christine Shupe.
About VHMA
The VHMA is a nationally recognized thought leader and innovator in providing training, education, and resources to more than 5,000 members and a trusted resource that the veterinary sector relies on for industry insights, research, and advocacy to assure performance at the highest levels. VHMA's core purpose is to advance and support veterinary practice management professionals by developing professional competence, supporting and encouraging standards through the industry's highest-level certification program, the Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM), and providing individuals with a network for professional connection and support. Learn more at www.VHMA.org.
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