Veterinary Receptionist Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides complete information on the duties and responsibilities that make up the job description of a veterinary receptionist.

What Does a Veterinary Receptionist Do?

A veterinary receptionist is an individual who works in a veterinary clinic or hospital with basic knowledge of veterinary and front desk activities such as answering calls, welcoming clients and taking mails.

The job requires being comfortable in the presence of animals because you will be dealing with them on a daily basis.

The job description of the receptionist who works in a veterinary hospital involves providing accurate information to inquiries from clients and other members of the public.

Therefore, to succeed on this job, the receptionist must make it a priority to learn about all his/her clinic’s procedures.

For the fact that the role involves a lot of physical contact with people, the receptionist has to be neatly and smartly dressed at all times; and must also wear a warm smile when greeting and welcoming clients to the clinic.

Receptionists can have a great deal of influence on their companies’ clients because they are usually the first people clients come in contact with when they visit the clinics.

They therefore serve as a liaison officer between doctors and clients.

They also render customer service to clients and ensure they are well satisfied before exiting the clinic.

Other responsibilities of the receptionist include maintaining a good and professional relationship with clients by getting appointments for them with the doctors, and calling them up on phone to inform them of new developments concerning their pets.

He/she is also in charge of maintaining office and client files; and for scheduling medical appointments and surgical procedures in the hospital for patients utilizing his/her knowledge of doctor’s availability and activities, and space in the clinic.

The individual aspiring to this position needs to be familiar with animal care.

He/she also needs to know how to monitor and restrain animals so as to prevent unruly behavior from animals brought to the clinic.

He/she must also ensure that the front desk area and client restrooms are clean at all times and make convenient for visitors.

Veterinary Receptionist Job Description Example/Sample/Template

Receptionists at veterinary clinics perform various duties in line with the needs of their organizations.

Below is an example of the veterinary receptionist job description.

The listed duties, tasks and responsibilities are common to individuals holding the position.

• Open the veterinary clinic before the arrival of the doctor(s); get the clinic ready for the day’s work, and close the clinic as directed by the veterinarian
• Welcome clients with their pets to the clinic in a friendly and courteous manner
• Ensure that clients are seated comfortably as they wait to be attended to by the veterinary doctor
• Answer incoming calls professionally and route calls to other staff members in line with the hospital’s protocols
• Prepare patient forms and files ahead of their scheduled appointments for easy access when they arrive
• Handle emergency cases appropriately by keeping clients and patients at ease before the arrival of the doctor
• Review patients’ records to ensure that immunization and tests recommended by the doctor are up to date
• Promptly notify the doctor of the arrival of patients, and the state of patients’ condition to avoid keeping patients with serious conditions waiting for long as this could worsen their condition
• Ensure that patients do all necessary paper work accurately before they are discharged from the hospital.

Veterinary Receptionist Job Description for Resume

The sample job description above can be used in writing a resume for the position of veterinary receptionist.

The functions of the position stated can be modified and used in creating the job history section of the resume.

Veterinary Receptionist Qualities and Attributes

The skills, knowledge and other attributes of the veterinary receptionist which employers usually demand include the following:

• Knowledge of veterinary clinic procedures and terminologies
• Physical fitness to carryout physical activities
• Passionate about animals
• Ability to relate with customers in a friendly and professional manner
• Excellent phone etiquette
• Good temperament to withstand bad behavior from some animals
• Ability to exercise patience with clients
• Exceptional organizational skills to keep work environment tidy and comfortable, as well as to perform assignments efficiently.

Veterinary Receptionist Resources

To help in making you a better veterinary receptionist and taking your career to the top, here are useful resources you can access:

Professional Organizations

Useful Blogs

Helpful Books