Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

National Veterinary Associates; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Animal Clinic of Rapid City is seeking a dependable, compassionate individual for a blended Veterinary Technician Assistant and Customer Service Representative role. This part-time position offers potential to transition to full-time based on clinic needs and performance.

The role involves assisting veterinarians and technicians, supporting the front desk, and ensuring a positive client experience, with opportunities to grow into a full-time schedule depending on hours and performance.

Qualifications

• Genuine interest in animal care and helping people.
• Friendly and professional customer service.
• Effective communication with clients, veterinarians, technicians and team members.
• Comfortable handling dogs and cats of varying sizes and conditions.
• Remain calm and professional in a busy veterinary environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle front-desk and patient-care duties.
• Reliability, punctuality, teamwork and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to learn and accept feedback.
• Basic computer and telephone skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with patient care and handling of dogs and cats.
• Help prepare patients and treatment areas for examinations and procedures.
• Obtain patient weights and basic information.
• Maintain clean, organized, and stocked hospital spaces.
• Support with laboratory prep and other patient-care tasks within scope.
• Assist with laundry, cleaning, and infection-control standards.
• Transport patients safely within the hospital.
• Communicate concerns to technicians or veterinarians.
• Provide compassionate support to patients and families during visits and emergencies.
• Answer front-d desk phones and assist clients with questions, scheduling, and payments.
• Coordinate communication between clients, technicians, and doctors.

Skills

Animal care interest

Customer service

Effective communication

Animal handling

Calm under pressure

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Reliability & punctuality

Willingness to learn

Basic computer skills

Job description

Veterinary Technician Assistant / Customer Service Representative

Animal Clinic of Rapid City

Part-Time Position with Potential for Full-Time

Position Summary

Animal Clinic of Rapid City is seeking a dependable, compassionate, and motivated individual to join our team in a unique Veterinary Technician Assistant / Customer Service Representative (CSR) position.

This is a part-time position with the potential to transition to full-time based on clinic needs, performance, and availability. This blended role is ideal for someone who enjoys both working directly with animals and providing excellent service to pet owners.

The successful candidate will work throughout the clinic, assisting our veterinary technicians and doctors with patient care while also supporting the front desk and helping create a positive experience for our clients.

Veterinary Technician Assistant Responsibilities

• Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians with the handling and restraint of dogs and cats.
• Help prepare patients and treatment areas for examinations, procedures, and treatments.
• Assist with obtaining patient weights and basic patient information as directed.
• Prepare and clean examination rooms, treatment areas, kennels, and equipment.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and properly stocked hospital.
• Assist with patient comfort, feeding, walking, and general care of hospitalized animals.
• Support technicians with laboratory preparation, diagnostic procedures, and other patient-care duties within the scope of the position.
• Assist with laundry, cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining appropriate infection-control standards.
• Help transport patients safely throughout the hospital.
• Recognize changes in a patient's condition and promptly communicate concerns to a veterinary technician or veterinarian.
• Provide compassionate support to patients and their families during routine visits, emergencies, and difficult situations.
• Perform additional patient-care duties as trained and assigned.

Customer Service Representative Responsibilities

• Greet clients and patients in a friendly, professional, and compassionate manner.
• Answer incoming telephone calls and assist clients with questions, scheduling, and general information.
• Schedule appointments according to clinic protocols and patient needs.
• Check clients and patients in and out efficiently.
• Obtain and update client and patient information in the clinic's practice-management system.
• Communicate appointment information, hospital policies, and veterinary recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Process payments and assist clients with invoices and account questions.
• Help coordinate communication between clients, veterinary technicians, and doctors.
• Assist with prescription and medication requests according to clinic procedures.
• Respond appropriately to clients experiencing stressful or emotional situations.
• Help identify potentially urgent or emergency situations and immediately involve appropriate medical staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and patient information.
• Provide exceptional customer service in person, over the telephone, and through electronic communication.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Have a genuine interest in animal care and helping people.
• Provide friendly and professional customer service.
• Communicate effectively with clients, veterinarians, technicians, and other team members.
• Be comfortable working with dogs and cats of different sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions.
• Be able to remain calm and professional in a busy veterinary environment.
• Be comfortable assisting clients who may be worried, frustrated, grieving, or experiencing an emergency with their pet.
• Have strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Be able to prioritize multiple responsibilities and transition between front-desk and patient-care duties.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, teamwork, and a positive attitude.
• Be willing to learn and accept coaching and feedback.
• Have basic computer and telephone skills.

Previous veterinary, animal-care, medical, reception, or customer-service experience is preferred but may not be required for the right candidate. Training will be provided based on experience.

Physical Requirements

This position may require the ability to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods.
• Bend, kneel, reach, and work at floor level when assisting with animals.
• Safely lift and/or assist with lifting animals, supplies, and equipment.
• Work around animal hair, bodily fluids, cleaning products, medications, and other materials commonly encountered in a veterinary hospital.
• Safely handle animals that may be frightened, painful, anxious, or unpredictable.

Schedule

This position will begin as part-time, with scheduling based on hospital needs and the employee's availability.

There is potential for this position to develop into a full-time role as additional hours become available and based on demonstrated performance, reliability, flexibility, and the needs of the hospital.

Because Animal Clinic of Rapid City provides both general veterinary care and emergency services, flexibility with scheduling - including occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays - may be beneficial.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who understands that exceptional veterinary care involves caring for both ends of the leash. One moment you may be helping comfort a nervous patient or assisting a technician, and the next you may be answering a client's questions or helping a worried pet owner at the front desk.

The right person will be willing to jump in wherever needed, treat clients and coworkers with kindness and respect, and take pride in helping our hospital provide excellent care to the pets and families of our community.

Animal Clinic of Rapid City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

National Veterinary Associates is a leading global pet care organization united in the love of animals and the people who love them.

At NVA, we’re on a mission to improve the lives of pets and the people who love them. That starts by empowering our care teams. We nurture their growth with resources to practice medicine their way. Our network of 1,000 hospitals connects them to a community of professionals who share their passion so they can learn and grow together. Our national presence enables us to deliver technology and innovations that simplify work and expand care for all. At NVA, we're committed to your professional growth. We support your entire career journey, offering opportunities ranging from mentorship to ownership.

NVA offers a comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, a 401k with employer match, and paid time off (including sick time) for all eligible employees. The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process. For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.