Veterinary Receptionist

Caring Hands Animal Hospital - Merrifield; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Structured onboarding

Job summary

Caring Hands Merrifield is seeking a dedicated veterinary receptionist to join our team as a friendly front desk advocate for clients and their pets. You will learn veterinary workflows, software, and terminology through structured onboarding and mentorship, supporting a compassionate, high-volume practice.

We offer comprehensive benefits, PTO, and a 401(k) plan for full-time employees, with caring emphasis on work-life balance and professional growth within a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in front desk, receptionist, or customer service in a medical, dental, veterinary, or high-volume service environment.
• Proven customer service skills with strong verbal and written communication, including active listening and conflict resolution.
• Experience with appointment scheduling, multi-line phone systems, data entry, and payment processing or POS.

Responsibilities

• Greet and check in clients and patients at the front desk, collect intake information, and confirm appointment details professionally.
• Answer and manage a multi-line telephone system, direct calls, and respond to scheduling/information inquiries.
• Process client check-out, including payments and scheduling future appointments.
• Provide composed and compassionate customer service to clients experiencing anxiety or distress.
• Perform accurate data entry and maintain organized records in the practice management system after onboarding and training.
• Communicate with clinical staff to relay messages, flag urgent situations, and support daily operations.
• Maintain a clean, organized reception and waiting area.

Skills

Front desk experience

Customer service

Scheduling

Multi-line phone system

Data entry

Payment processing/POS

Microsoft Office

Reliability & punctuality

Animal care familiarity

Tools

Cornerstone

Avimark

ImproMed

eVetPractice

ezyVet

Job description

Caring Hands Merrifield is seeking a dedicated and client-focused veterinary receptionist to join our team. This position is open to candidates who bring strong transferable experience from adjacent fields, including human medical or dental offices, urgent care clinics, emergency services, or high-volume hospitality and customer service environments.

We are looking for a professional whodemonstratescomposure under pressure, a genuine affinity for animals, andthe interpersonalskills to support clients across a wide range of experiences — including those that are emotionally demanding. Veterinary-specific knowledge is notrequired; comprehensive onboarding and training will be provided.

What to Expect

As you join our mission, expect to be supported in your work and home life with:

• A comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and a 401(k) plan for full-time employees
• Structured onboarding and mentorship covering veterinary workflows, software, and medical terminology

Salary

$17.00-$23.00 per hour dependent on skills and experience

Schedule

Monday- Friday 8AM-8PM, Every other Saturdays 8AM-4PM

Responsibilities

• Greetand check in clients and patients at the front desk, collect intake information, and confirm appointment details in a professional and welcoming manner
• Answer and manage a multi-line telephone system, directing calls and responding to inquiries regarding scheduling, services, and general information
• Perform client check-out, including payment processing, posting charges, and scheduling future appointments
• Provide composed and compassionate customer service to clients experiencing anxiety, distress, or difficult news regarding their pet's health
• Perform accurate data entry and maintain organized records in the practice management system following onboarding and training
• Communicate effectively with clinical staff to relay messages, flag urgent situations, and support efficient daily operations
• Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming reception and waiting area

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of experience in a front desk, receptionist, or customer service role in a medical, dental, urgent care, veterinary, or high-volume service environment
• Proven customer service skills with strong verbal and written communication, including active listening and conflict resolution
• Experience with appointment scheduling, multi-line phone systems, data entry, and payment processing or point-of-sale (POS)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; comfortable learning new software and workflows
• Reliable, punctual, and professional; ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Genuine affinity for animals and comfort working in a clinical setting

Experience in a veterinary clinic, animal care facility, or medical office; familiarity with veterinary or medical terminology; or PIMS software experience (Cornerstone,Avimark,ImproMed,eVetPractice, orezyVet) is considered a strong asset.

About Caring Hands Merrifield

At Caring Hands Animal Hospital, compassion and purpose are at the heart of everything we do. We provide transparent, personalized veterinary care, attracting a team of dedicated professionals who uphold our core values every day.

Our team leads with integrity, delivers reliable care, and supports one another—and you with a true spirit of teamwork. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment where both pets and their owners feel valued, understood, and cared for.

We go above and beyond to accommodate the unique needs of every pet and client, fostering a strong sense of community within and beyond our hospitals. With shared values and a unified mission, we work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their families.