My CVPM Journey By Bethany Mihalik, CVPM, MHRM, CVT, CCFP
To claim that challenging times are upon us would seem like an understatement to many of us soldiering through these past two years. The steady increase in demand exacerbated by a rapidly shifting workforce, combined with efforts to mitigate the spread of a potentially deadly virus, has changed our profession in unprecedented ways. This environment confronts the most seasoned of industry veterans, pushing many past their breaking points. One word I’ve repeatedly heard to describe our current reality is relentless. During this whirlwind rollercoaster of a pandemic-spurred voyage, I’ve found myself leaning into my professional certification heavily. I’ve rummaged through dusty employment law textbooks, read countless articles by trusted peers, and spent hours scrolling through the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) forum and other professional social media pages. I hunted, rabidly, for refreshers, new concepts, encouragement, camaraderie, and sometimes just simple acknowledgment from others who understood the pain and frustration of trying to manage during unmanageable times. Yet, I’ve never been so grateful to be a CVPM and have such trusted resources at my fingertips.
solid understanding of how a veterinary practice operates. For example, I worked in varying capacities within the field for nearly seven years before earning my CVPM credentials. To apply for the two-year testing window, a qualified applicant will need: To be actively employed as a practice manager for a minimum of three years within the last seven. To be (or have been) responsible for 26 of the 30 duties enumerated in the application for a minimum of three years. The 30 duties enumerated in the application include staff (development, maintenance, computer training, communication, interaction, records, safety, benefits, payroll); accounts receivable; income reconciliation; credit policies; accounts payable; inventory; financial reporting; budgeting; purchasing; fee setting; patient medical records; medical knowledge; hospital medical logs; client service; client communication; client interaction; client grief protocol; client education; client education programs; client/patient/staff comfort; professional liaison; and community involvement. •
18 college semester hours in management-related courses such as accounting, economics/finance, computer science, marketing, management, labor relations/human resources, and law/taxation.
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48 hours of continuing education courses, seminars, and so on, specifically devoted to management.
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Four letters of recommendation.
As a certified veterinary practice manager (CVPM), the two questions I am asked most often are: 1.
How do I become a CVPM?
2.
Is it worth it?
How to Become a CVPM Earning one’s CVPM credential is a journey requiring self-discipline, motivation, and a sincere desire to learn best practices from the most reputable industry experts. Most candidates begin this process after successfully managing in the field for several years and have a 18 | Keystone Veterinarian
Once all of the above criteria are met, a candidate can begin the application. The application is a three-step process that documents a candidate’s educational and professional background, achievements, and veterinary management leadership
knowledge. Once an application is approved, candidates have two years to take and pass the CVPM examination before their application expires. Those who do not earn certification prior to their application’s expiration must reapply to qualify to take the examination. Test fees are due at the time of application submission. Studying for the exam is self-guided and primarily consists of reading and comprehending the themes presented in the 13 texts included in the CVPM Study Guide and Recommended Reading List and CVPM Task Analysis outline. A test preparation workbook (print or digital) is available for purchase. Additionally, some candidates benefit from enrolling in an online preparation course. The one that I completed was through VetMedTeam, which was approximately eight weeks, and consisted of written weekly assignments directly from the Recommended Reading List. VHMA also offers a virtual test preparation program. The examination itself is composed of true-false and multiple-choice questions pertaining to relevant management knowledge in the areas of human resources, law and ethics, marketing, organization of the practice, and finance. Most of the questions are traditional knowledge-based multiple-choice questions, and some are scenariobased. The total number of questions on each test administration varies, but the maximum number of points is 200. Candidates have three and one-half hours to complete the examination.
Worth the Effort For me, passing the CVPM exam in 2015 and earning my credentials instantly instilled a sense of confidence, which was especially important as a young leader. So many of us suffer from “imposter syndrome” as a result of our often haphazard appointment into veterinary
