Open Learning Faculty Member (Web): VCCR 1101: Veterinary Client Communication 1 - (03027.581)

Thompson Rivers University; Kamloops; Remote; CAD 30,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Thompson Rivers University seeks an Open Learning Faculty Member to teach Veterinary Client Communication, emphasizing effective client interactions and veterinary practices. Candidates must be experienced RVTs or DVMs with teaching experience. The role requires strong communication skills and a commitment to student success in an online learning environment.

Benefits

Flexible teaching schedule

Opportunity to work online

Qualifications

• Must be a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
• Minimum 5 years hands-on clinical experience required.
• Teaching experience at the post-secondary level is essential.

Responsibilities

• Encourage and guide students towards academic success.
• Maintain regular contact with students and respond to queries.
• Mark assignments and provide prompt feedback.

Skills

Communication Skills

Client Service

Teamwork

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT)

Tools

Practice Management Software

Job description

Open Learning Faculty Member (Web): VCCR 1101: Veterinary Client Communication 1 - (03027.581)

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Application Restrictions

Open to both Internal and external

Job Type

Open Learning Faculty Member

Posting In effect from

9/6/2025

Closing Application Date

16/6/2025

OLFM Type

Teaching Allocation Percentage (TAP)

50%

Anticipated Start Date

2/9/2025

Position End Date (If Applicable)

DUTIES

Students will learn about client care representative roles including phone etiquette, cultivating client relationships, FAQ’s and booking appointments. Students will illustrate effective communication in a veterinary hospital, and be able to critically examine situations, to determine when to engage an RVT or DVM in conversations with clients. It is highly recommended that this course be successfully completed before enrolling for VCCR 1201 Veterinary Client Communication 2, as one course builds on the other.

Course Topics You'll Teach:

• Client Care Receptionist Roles – How to build trust and relationships with pet owners
• Phone Etiquette – The do’s and don’ts of client calls, including callbacks and tone management
• Common Front Desk Questions – How to prepare students to respond accurately and confidently
• Communication Skills:
  • Verbal: Speaking clearly, confidently, and with empathy
  • Nonverbal: Posture, eye contact, and other visual cues
  • Written: Emails, notes, and professional communication
• Reading Body Language – Recognizing client stress and emotions
• Understanding Personality Types – Adjusting communication styles to fit different client needs
• When to Involve the RVT or DVM – How and when to escalate client interactions
• Appointment Booking:
  • Small Animal: Vaccines, checkups, emergencies
  • Large Animal: Farm visits, triage, and scheduling logistics

Open Learning Faculty Members are teaching staff in the Open Learning division of TRU, and the role of the Open Learning Faculty Member is to actively encourage, support and guide students toward success in their academic studies. Open Learning Faculty Members must be skilled in teaching, fully knowledgeable of the subject matter and demonstrate a positive, open and caring attitude in all interaction with students.

Responsibilities of the Open Learning Faculty Member (Web) include but are not limited to:

• Administrative set up and record keeping
• Initiating and maintaining regular contact with the student as specified in the collective agreement
• Responding to all student queries by phone, e-mail or other method as appropriate within the time frame outlined in the collective agreement.
• Marking all assignments, posting results, and providing prompt feedback
• Marking exams and posting results

We anticipate up to 25 students in this course per year. These numbers are only estimates and actual numbers for the course may be greater or less than the estimated numbers.

QUALIFICATIONS

What you need to Apply:

• Be a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
• Have at least 5 years of hands-on clinical experience after graduation
• Maintain active and good standing membership in your provincial professional association
• Have teaching experience at the post-secondary level, especially with online and blended learning
• Be skilled in assessing student learning and progress, adjusting teaching approaches as needed
• Work well on interdisciplinary teams
• Show strong communication skills (written, verbal, digital)
• Have high-speed internet and your own equipment for online instruction
  • Completion of the Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW) is an asset

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• You’re an experienced veterinary professional or educator with a passion for client service
• You have worked in a receptionist role within a veterinary clinic and have experience booking appointments.
• You are skilled at reading body language of humans and animals
• You have extra education in leadership and communication
• You’re a clear communicator who’s comfortable teaching online
• You understand the workflow of a busy veterinary clinic
• Bonus if you’re familiar with practice management software (Cornerstone, Avimark, ezyVet, etc.)

The Open Learning Faculty Member must:

• Be knowledgeable and experienced in the subject matter of the course
• Have received training or have successful experience in the active facilitation of learning in a collaborative online environment
• Have direct experience working with current educational technologies, tools and Learning Management Systems
• Have demonstrated knowledge of effective pedagogy in the use of current educational technology and tools
• Have demonstrated skills and abilities in the delivery of flexible learning materials, the application of instructional technology and in the application of adult learning principles

The pay for Open Learning Faculty Members varies based on several factors including the number of students in the course, the type of work, the type of course and the number of assessments completed by students in the course. The total pay includes amounts based on hourly rates as well as set dollar amounts for certain types of work. For more information, please refer to the TRU/TRUOLFA Collective Agreement: https://truolfa.ca/assets/documents/Collective Agreement-2022-2025- TRU-TRUOLFA.pdf

Pay Band

Location

BC CA (Primary)

Qualified TRUOLFA applicants will be given first consideration filling this post

# of Hires Needed

2

Organizational Unit

Thompson Rivers University -> Open Learning -> Program Delivery

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment:

Thompson Rivers University is strongly committed to hiring based on merit with a focus on fostering diversity of thought within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, Indigenous, Black and People of Colour, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply, however applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.