CVOM: VHMA’s new veterinary management certification program

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The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) took the stage at their annual conference, held this year from September 5-7, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to announce their newest initiative: A new certification program for veterinary management professionals. The new program will be called the Certified Veterinary Office Manager (CVOM).^1,2 The CVOM program is separate from the existing Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM) program and is intended to certify qualified management professionals focused on fundamental administrative tasks, which include team leadership roles.

The VHMA board recognizes that the CVOM program will accommodate veterinary management professionals who have responsibilities that are equally valuable, yet different, than those that qualify for the CVPM program.¹ The application process for the new program will open to qualified candidates in the first quarter of 2025.¹

The program’s test blueprint will cover the following 6 task domains¹:

• Leadership
• Administrative management/daily operations and organization of the practice
• Human resources, staff management and communication
• Law and ethics
• Marketing
• Financials

To qualify for the official exam, candidates need at least 1 year of experience in a veterinary practice, they must have accomplished specified tasks, and they require 2 letters of recommendation. Certified CVOM program members will be required to recertify biennially with a continuing education (CE) requirement and a renewal fee.¹

“The VHMA represents over 5000 professionals with broad management responsibilities,” Scott Zimmerman, BFA, CVPM, president of the VHMA, said in a news release.¹ “VHMA’s goal is to be a resource to all these professionals in their roles.”

The VHMA conducted a comprehensive needs assessment as part of the development of the CVOM program. Hiring a psychometric consultant, the association formed an independent task force comprised of 17 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)—made up of management professionals with experience ranging from less than 6 months to more than 15 years— to evaluate the needs of VHMA members, and the industry as a whole.

The group conducted a job analysis study, with a respondent pool of almost 250 managers completing a survey which tasked them with identifying the importance and frequency of 101 unique management tasks. The CVOM’s qualifications and requirements were finalized by the VHMA and certification board.¹

“This entire process was as visionary as it was data-driven,” Christine Shupe, CAE, executive director of VHMA, said in a news release.¹ “We feel proud that VHMA can deliver a certification filling a very distinct need.” Zimmerman shared the announcement to the conference’s 688 registered attendees, 200 of whom were CVPMs at the Sheraton & Le Meridian Charlotte Hotel Complex.²

References

1. VHMA Announces New Certification Program for Veterinary Management Professionals – The CVOM – at its Annual Conference. News release. Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. October 8, 2024. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.vhma.org/blogs/vhma-admin/2024/10/03/vhma-announces-cvom
2. 2024 Annual Meeting & Conference. Veterinary Hospital Managers Association. Accessed October 9, 2024. https://www.vhma.org/education/conferences/annual-meeting-2024