Customer Service Representative - Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Laseagrant; Urbana, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 24,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Veterinary Teaching Hospital seeks a Customer Service Representative to handle client interactions, registrations, admissions, and billing with a caring, problem-solving approach.

This full-time, weekend-heavy Civil Service role supports the Small Animal, Large Animal, and South Clinics, coordinating with veterinarians and staff to ensure smooth patient care and timely information exchange.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years (36 months) from customer service, public relations, office administration, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Greet clients in person and by phone and determine inquiry type.
• Register clients, admit patients, and process discharge and payments.
• Schedule visits and relay appointment reminders to clients.
• Coordinate communication between care staff and clients/veterinarians.
• Enter client/patient data into the medical record and update as needed.
• Respond to inquiries and resolve issues related to clinic services and policies.
• Maintain reception area cleanliness and manage clinic emails and mail.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Multi-tasking

Detail oriented

Teamwork

Medical terminology

Education

High school diploma

3 years related experience

Job description

Customer Service Representative - Veterinary Teaching Hospital

Job Summary

Under general supervision, the Customer Service Representative will represent the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in all communications with referring veterinarians, clients, faculty, staff, and students. This individual will be responsible for performing complex customer service and clerical duties as they pertain to the needs of the hospital and its clients utilizing caring and optimistic attitudes with quick and adaptable problem-solving skills. This position may assist in the Small Animal Clinic, Large Animal Clinic, and/or South Clinic as needed.

Duties & Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Greet clients in-person and over the phone in a friendly and helpfulmanner; determines nature and purpose of inquiry/visit and handles ordirects appropriately.
• Must determine whether the current visit is the patient's initial visitto the clinic; verify the client's credit status with the clinic, andadd new patient fee when appropriate.
• Perform all processes associated with client registration, patientadmissions, and discharge including creating a client account, obtainingpatient information and referral documents and receiving payment.
• Obtain/relay information to schedule patient visits, including facilitating appointment reminders in an efficient manner.
• Coordinate communication between clinical care staff and clients or referring veterinarians.
• Enter client and patient data into the medical record, utilizing theHealth Information System, updating information when needed.
• Respond to and resolve routine and complex inquiries from clients toprovide or clarify information on clinic services, policies, andprocedures.
• Research client inquiries as needed and provide point of contact for quality control concerns. Report customer feedback, identify problems and trends, and suggest resolutions. Refer unresolved customer grievances to designated personnel for further investigation.
• Enter all pertinent client communications into the electronic medicalrecord, detailing inquiries, complaints, and comments, including actionstaken.
• Coordinate patient care between the clinic and the services in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
• Communicate, verbally and in writing, with referring veterinarians with whom clients/patients are shared.

Business Processes

• Complete and maintain various hospital and University reports.
• Facilitate accounts receivable and billing processes as needed.
• Provide oversight of clinic emails, responding as appropriate.
• Process incoming and outgoing mail.

Facilities Maintenance

• Maintain cleanliness of reception area and exam rooms at all times;including cleaning and appropriately disposing of animal waste asneeded.
• Maintain office supplies by communicating needs to supervisor who facilitates ordering.

Clinical Service Support

• Assist with pet supply purchases including, but not limited to, dentalcare, grooming care, food, heartworm, and flea/tick preventatives.
• Retrieve prescriptions and accurately communicate home care instructions to the client as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Work Schedule

This is primarily a weekend position. However, candidates should also have the flexibility to assist with coverage on other shifts, including evenings, nights, and holidays.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Persons allergic to animals, pollen, hay, or straw may experience discomfort in this position. The work is very fast paced and the work environment can be hectic and stressful at times. Persons must have the ability to work in the presence of animal waste and fluids. To some extent, unpleasantness may be experienced under such conditions. This position may involve moving bags of food up to 40 lbs from one location to another.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the following categories:
  • Collegecoursework in business administration, communications, public relationsor a closely related field as measured by the following conversiontable or its proportional equivalent:
    • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
    • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
    • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
    • Bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
  • Responsiblework experience in customer services, public relations, officeadministration, business and financial operations, healthcareadministration or other closely related experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of general care of companion species of animals (dogs, cats, birds, exotics).
• Working knowledge of professional business office processes, clerical procedures, and medical office routines.
• Skilled in customer service and the ability to work well with others.
• Detail oriented with ability to think clearly and complete tasks in a busy work environment.
• Ability to multi-task as well as provide complete follow through.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and frequent interruptions on a daily basis.
• Ability to continue to develop new methods and skills for dealing with clients and clinical staff successfully.
• Working knowledge of medical and veterinary terminology.
• Knowledge of operating computers, phones, email, internet, faxing, credit card verification.
• Ability to perform basic math accurately.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 29, 2026.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4808 - Customer Service Representative position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The collective bargaining agreement sets an hourly wage of $21.401 per hour. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internalsalary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — the state’s flagship public university and one of the world’s leading research institutions — every staff member helps shape what’s next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you’re empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence — where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits.

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid time Off
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail] .