Small Animal Emergency Front Desk

Inside Higher Ed; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 18,843 - 26,837; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

TRS retirement plan

Full benefits eligible

Job summary

A public research university seeks a Small Animal Emergency Front Desk professional to assist clients with bringing their pets for emergency care. Responsibilities include being the first contact point, managing appointments, and processing payments. Ideal candidates should have technical knowledge in the veterinary field and be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. This full-time position offers a salary of $16.58 per hour along with comprehensive benefits, located in Athens, Georgia.

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment demonstrating excellent customer service.
• Knowledge of general animal anatomy and ability to recognize medical needs.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for clients bringing pets for emergency care.
• Provide assistance regarding veterinary services and hospital policies.
• Enter patient information into the hospital database.

Skills

Customer service

Knowledge of veterinary terminology

Ability to handle distressing situations

Education

Technical knowledge from apprenticeship, 2-year degree, or professional certificate

Tools

MS Office suite

Hospital database system (Vetview)

Job description

About The University Of Georgia:

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full‑time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

About The College/Unit/Department:

The University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, founded in 1946, is dedicated to training future veterinarians, providing services to animal owners and veterinarians, and conducting investigations to improve the health of animals as well as people. The college benefits pets and their owners, food‑producing animals, and wildlife by offering the highest quality hospital and diagnostic laboratory services. Equipped with the most technologically advanced facilities located on a university campus, the college is dedicated to safeguarding public health by studying emerging infectious diseases that affect both animal and human health.

Values: The college values all members of the university community, recognizing that differences in experience and culture can only lead to a more well‑rounded, accepting academic environment as embodied in our Principles of Community (http://vet.uga.edu/principles-of-community/).

Posting Information:

Posting Number: S12935P

Working Title: Small Animal Emergency Front Desk

Department: VetMed-VTH Admin Services

Posting Date: 11/19/2024

Open Until Filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 12/08/2024

Location: Athens Area

Employment Type: Employee (Full Time)

Schedule: 40 hours per week; schedule may include nights, weekends and some holidays.

Advertised Salary: $16.58 per hour

Benefits:

TRS retirement plan, full benefits eligible.

EEO Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

USG Core Values:

Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Classification Title:

Animal Care Veterinary/Animal Science Paraprofessional/Professional (Non‑Exempt)

Minimum Qualifications:

Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2‑year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working within a fast paced environment that involves a high volume of phone calls, communicating with clients that may be distressed during the process of dealing with an unwell animal.
• Experience with handling cashier responsibilities while answering phones and entering information into system.

Position Summary:

The primary responsibility for this position will be to assist the Emergency Critical Care team on setting appointments and receiving emergency patients during evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays. The ECC Vet Asst. will assist clients in delivering their pets to the ECC team which may include lifting/restraining and transporting into the ER. This incumbent will also answer phones, set up appointments from local referring veterinarians, open patient charts in the hospital database system, and process payments for services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be the first point of contact via phone or in‑person for clients to bring their pets for emergency care or having been referred by a local referring veterinarian.
• Provide assistance to clients regarding veterinary services rendered by communicating hospital charges and policies.
• Receive in‑coming patients at the Emergency front desk.
• Assist in triage of patients, when able, to determine level of care needed by assisting in the completion of patient profile information.
• Enter patient information into the hospital database system, Vetview, to create a chart for service charges to be entered into.
• Provide cashier services for patients that are released during the shift.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities And/or Competencies:

• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment while demonstrating excellent customer service, high degree of confidentiality, openness to teaching and providing consultation to a variety of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of general animal anatomy and ability to recognize signs of medical needs in a patient.
• Possess proven knowledge of veterinary terminology.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite applications and office machines like fax, copier, scanner, etc.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Remember, organize, and consistently focus on large amounts of detail and come to appropriate conclusions.

Physical Demands:

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds, both assisted and unassisted.
• Sit or stand for long periods of time and use of repetitive actions during the entire work shift.
• Use of stairs and different/uneven walking surfaces is common.
• Communicate effectively via telephone, e‑mail, and in person to varied stakeholders.
• Utilize computer technology for all applications in a manner that meets performance expectations.

Operational Duties:

Driving is not a responsibility of this position.

Position is a Position of Trust and has operation, access, or control of financial resources. A credit check will be required. The position may be subject to pre‑employment drug testing for high‑risk responsibilities.

Position involves direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care. Position may have security access such as public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications.

Credit and Background Policy:

A credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job‑based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre‑employment drug test for positions with high‑risk responsibilities, if applicable.

Contact Details:

Recruitment Contact Name: Kris Mitchell

Recruitment Contact Email: [e-mail]

Recruitment Contact Phone: [phone]