Saturday, April 24th, 2010
I am a Certified Veterinary Practice Manager (CVPM). What does this mean to me, on a personal level? Almost more than I can describe in words. Working towards certification was a goal I set for myself more than 10 years ago. I was fascinated with the fact that I could achieve certification, thus validating my skills and knowledge as a veterinary practice manager. Growing up, I never knew there was a career path that would allow me to apply my managerial talents to the field of veterinary medicine…this just wasn’t something your average guidance counselor was talking about in the 1980′s.
After achieving all the requirements to actually sit for the exam, and studying for more than six months, with the help of my VHMA mentor, Lisa Yackel, CVPM I sat for my exam in Key West, Florida in February 2004. I was terrified!! In 2004, the spoken portion of the examination was still in place. I reported to a room at my assigned time and proceeded to sit down at a table in front of a video camera, the VHMA President and the VHMA Treasurer. I had thirty minutes in which to verbalize my answers to a series of situational practice management questions, on tape and while being scored by the VHMA officers. That thirty minutes is now a total blur in my mind. I was then escorted to a larger room where I completed the written portion of the examination.
While I was relieved the exam itself was over, I now had to wait 6-8 weeks for my results. I believe that was the longest six weeks of my life. While the exam itself is a total blur, I distinctly remember the day my results arrived at the clinic. I was seated in my office when one of the front desk team members brought me the mail. With a hesitant smile, she told me there was something from VHMA on top of the stack of envelopes. With shaking hands, I ripped open the envelope, after only a moment of hesitation. I read the letter and promptly burst into tears. There were audible intakes of breath from the front desk, as they thought I must not have passed. I then started laughing and picked up the phone to call my husband with the good news—I had passed! I had joined the group of veterinary professionals known as Certified Veterinary Practice Managers.
Six years later, I am currently serving as the Co-Chair of the CVPM Board of Directors, with my good friend and mentor Lisa Yackel, CVPM as the Chair. If you are a Veterinary Practice Manager, my only question for you is: When are you sitting for the CVPM examination? What are you waiting for? It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your career.
Tags: careers in veterinary medicine, certified veterinary practice manager, cvpm, examination, personal story
April 25th, 2010 at 3:39 am
Well first let me say I am really glad the oral part of the examination is no longer! whew! I cried too when I got my results and called my husband right away. It was a proud moment.