Receptionist

Cowes Veterinary Surgery; Cowes; On-site; AUD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowes Veterinary Surgery on Phillip Island, Victoria, is seeking a warm, highly organised full-time Receptionist to own our front desk and deliver an exceptional client and patient experience. This dedicated non-clinical role focuses on reception, bookings, payments and coordination with our veterinary team.

You do not need veterinary nursing training; full training will be provided in our software, procedures and clinic protocols.

Qualifications

• Excellent people skills are more important than veterinary experience.
• You may have worked in reception, administration, medical or allied health reception, hospitality or other people-facing environments.

Responsibilities

• Welcoming clients and their animals to the clinic
• Managing telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries
• Scheduling appointments and helping coordinate the daily appointment diary
• Providing clear and compassionate communication between clients and the veterinary team
• Managing client accounts, payments and general reception administration
• Maintaining accurate client and patient information
• Helping keep our reception area organised, welcoming and running efficiently
• Recognising priorities and taking initiative rather than always waiting to be directed
• Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately
• Supporting clients through difficult or emotional circumstances with empathy and discretion
• Working closely with our veterinarians, nurses and wider clinic team.

Skills

People skills

Communication

Empathy

Organisational skills

Job description

A dedicated front-of-house role for someone who genuinely enjoys people, animals and being at the heart of a busy team. Cowes Veterinary Surgery is looking for a warm, capable and highly organised full-time Receptionist to take ownership of our front desk and help provide an exceptional experience for clients and their animals.

This is a dedicated, non-clinical reception and front-of-house position. You do not need to be a veterinary nurse, and this role will not progress into a nursing role and is not suitable for nurse training course requirements. Training will be provided in our veterinary software and systems, veterinary terminology, clinic protocols and procedures.

About us

Cowes Veterinary Surgery is a privately owned, family-operated veterinary clinic with a strong focus on compassionate animal care, genuine client relationships and looking after the people we work alongside. Located on beautiful Phillip Island, Victoria.

We are looking for someone who can confidently take ownership of our reception area using a thoughtful, organised and professional approach.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Welcoming clients and their animals to the clinic
• Managing telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries
• Scheduling appointments and helping coordinate the daily appointment diary
• Providing clear and compassionate communication between clients and the veterinary team
• Managing client accounts, payments and general reception administration
• Maintaining accurate client and patient information
• Helping keep our reception area organised, welcoming and running efficiently
• Recognising priorities and taking initiative rather than always waiting to be directed
• Handling confidential and sensitive information appropriately
• Supporting clients through difficult or emotional circumstances with empathy and discretion
• Working closely with our veterinarians, nurses and wider clinic team.

Who we are looking for

Veterinary experience would be welcomed, but excellent people skills are more important to us.

You may currently work in reception, administration, medical or allied health reception, hospitality, customer service or another people-focused environment and be looking for a role where your skills can make a genuine difference.

You will ideally be someone who:

• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Genuinely enjoys working with both people and animals
• Is calm, organised and dependable
• Takes pride in providing excellent customer service
• Shows initiative and takes ownership of their responsibilities
• Can prioritise and remain composed when the clinic becomes busy
• Works well as part of a high-functioning team
• Communicates professionally and respectfully
• Has an open and empathetic mindset
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and discretion
• Can navigate sensitive conversations with compassion and maturity
• Is comfortable supporting people who may be worried, distressed or grieving.

Veterinary reception is incredibly rewarding, but it can also involve difficult and emotional circumstances. We therefore need someone who can balance warmth and empathy with professionalism, resilience and good judgement.

What matters to us

Our values guide the way we care for our patients, communicate with our clients and work together as a team.

At Cowes Veterinary Surgery, we aim to:

• Put the animal first – keeping the wellbeing of our patients at the centre of what we do.
• Provide compassionate and understanding animal care – recognising the important relationship our clients have with their animals.
• Communicate with trust and respect – with our clients and with each other.
• Have an open and empathetic mindset – listening, understanding and approaching people without judgement.
• Be welcoming – creating a clinic where clients, their animals and our team feel comfortable and supported.

We are looking for someone who naturally connects with these values and can bring them to our front desk every day.

What we offer

• A full-time, dedicated veterinary reception career
• A non-clinical role where reception is recognised as an important part of the veterinary team
• Training in veterinary systems, terminology, protocols and procedures
• The opportunity to take ownership of the front-of-house function
• A supportive and experienced veterinary and nursing team
• A privately owned, family-operated workplace
• A role based on beautiful Phillip Island
• Alternate Saturday morning shifts as part of the position.

If you are an organised and thoughtful people-person who enjoys taking responsibility, values great communication and would love to work in an environment where animals are at the heart of what we do, we would love to hear from you.

Cowes Veterinary Surgery

Phillip Island, Victoria