Veterinary receptionists are the first staff members to greet a client either arriving by person or calling on the phone. They collect brief histories to set appointments, set up drop-offs and procedures, set up boarding and grooming, and relay messages to the technicians and veterinarians. Our receptionists manage all medication refill requests, special food orders, and take care of all financial transactions. They are the administrative liaison between the client and the pet’s care and regulate the flow of appointments from our waiting room.
What does it take to be a veterinary receptionist?
Our receptionists receive on the job training with our hospital-wide software, Avimark, and learn the ins and outs of reading and keeping both digital and paper patient medical records. There are unique considerations for working in the field of veterinary medicine- a receptionist must develop familiarity with different species, medications, procedures, and vaccinations. They must also deal with delicate financial interactions, emergencies, and unfortunately euthanasias. Compassion and respect toward our clients and patients is a vital quality. Receptionists must be able to multi-task and strongly emphasize customer service, representing both the client and the patient to our staff as well as the medical staff to the client.
Receptionists are ideally detailed oriented, work independently as well as in a team environment, have dependable transportation, handle working in a fast-paced environment well, have good listening and communication skills, and be willing to familiarize themselves with common diseases, medications, and treatments. Though candidates do not handle patients during treatments they do sometimes carry cat carriers or walk small/medium sized dogs to the exam room or treatment area. Because the business day alternates between downtime and busy periods, receptionists spend their shifts accomplishing a variety of tasks.
Our receptionits work hard!
Receptionists work either morning or evening shifts to cover our 7am-8pm workdays M-Th, 7am-6pm Fri, and 7am-2pm Saturday. Receptionists also alternate working on Sundays from 6pm-6:30pm for boarding discharges.
(Sunday evenings we are ONLY open for 30 minutes from 6 PM to 6:30 PM, and for boarder pickup ONLY. Unfortunately, NO pet drop-offs and NO medication refills are possible on Sundays.)