Veterinary Receptionist (Maternity Leave)

IVC Evidensia; Portishead; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A premier veterinary hospital in Portishead is seeking a Veterinary Receptionist. In this role, you will be the first point of contact for clients, managing appointments, and providing professional service. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and the ability to handle inquiries with sympathy and professionalism. Competitive pay at £12.21 per hour, with benefits including additional annual leave and family-friendly policies.

Benefits

6.6 weeks annual leave

Birthday leave

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Cycle to work scheme

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted staff pet care

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role preferred.
• Professional demeanor required for client interaction.
• Ability to work flexible hours.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients and manage the reception area.
• Answer phone calls and convert inquiries into appointments.
• Maintain accurate client records and manage cash transactions.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Sympathy towards clients and animals

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a fantastic individual to join us as a Veterinary Receptionist at Vale Vets Portishead. You will be the first point of contact for clients and the general public both on the telephone and in person, providing a professional and knowledgeable impression to promote the Practice and give confidence to our clients.

Responsibilities

• Greet all visitors professionally and courteously.
• Prioritize and promptly answer phone calls.
• Provide clients with clear, professional, and sympathetic information.
• Convert enquiries into appointments to support pet healthcare.
• Efficiently manage the appointment diary.
• Record and follow up on enquiries promptly.
• Accurately input new client details into the system.
• Record relevant information to assist vets during consultations.
• Ensure accurate invoices and handle adjustments.
• Conduct appointment callbacks to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Reschedule missed appointments.
• Educate clients on practice services and promote healthcare plans, pet insurance, and promotions.
• Keep the reception area clean and organized.
• Adhere to practice policies to maintain excellent customer service.
• Take responsibility for personal development through training.
• Contribute to marketing efforts and business success.
• Manage appointments, payments, and end-of-day banking.
• Attend team meetings, dispense medications, and update records.
• Handle clinic emails, paperwork, and stock displays.
• Maintain stock levels and prepare client packs.
• Manage cash, post, messages, and surgery consent forms.

About the practice

Our small-animal Veterinary Hospital is situated in the town of Portishead and we have been in the heart of the community for over 25 years. Portishead is in North Somerset on the Severn Estuary, less than 10 miles west of Bristol. We are Portishead’s only veterinary hospital with a team of vets and qualified nurses who are available 24/7 with round the clock on-site care. We have a certificate holder in ECC and we have vets at various stages of certificates in medicine, exotics and surgery. We offer a high standard of patient care in a clean and professional working environment, and we are proud to have consistently achieved Tier 3 Hospital Status. We are well equipped with various diagnostic and clinical tools, including laparoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasonography, digital radiography (including dental radiography), in-house laboratory, multi-parameter monitoring equipment, and much more. We have been awarded Gold in the ICC cat-friendly clinic awards and the hospital has separate cat and dog waiting rooms for clients, separate inpatient wards for cats/dogs / isolation, and dedicated consulting times during the week for cat-only appointments. Vale Vets is committed not only to treating illness but also preventing it, and so we run a pro-active Nurse Clinic service, advising owners on preventative health care and nutrition, and offering services such as 2nd vaccinations, weight consultations and senior health checks. We have our own health care plan, which is regularly reviewed to promote the best options for preventative health care. Running alongside the hospital is our branch practice in Pill, which offers veterinary consultations at various times throughout the week. OOH work, hospital inpatients, and surgical/medical procedures are all managed at the Portishead hospital. The hospital is also home to a fully-equipped dog grooming salon ‘Barks and Bubbles’.

Working pattern

The role requires working 5 hour shifts four days a week and 1 in 6 Saturdays with time off in lieu the following week. Shifts will vary between 8.00am - 8.00pm, so flexibility is essential.

Benefits and salary

• 6.6 Weeks annual leave FTE
• Additional annual leave for your birthday which will be added to your holiday allowance
• Enhanced family-friendly policies, including maternity/ paternity/ adoption/ shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits - reward gateway giving discounts and cashback with 100\'s of retailers
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care

Salary: 12.21 ph