What is a Veterinary Receptionist?

A veterinary receptionist is a person who works in a veterinarian’s (or “vet”) office. A vet receptionist, like any other receptionist, must be capable of performing basic tasks like answering phones, opening mail, and managing rudimentary office functions. Because a receptionist in a veterinarian’s office also works with animals, he or she must be familiar with cats, dogs, and other household pets.

Although the responsibilities of a veterinary receptionist differ from one office to the next, the majority of veterinary receptionists perform the same basic tasks. Customers are greeted, phone calls are answered, and appointments are scheduled. In many offices, veterinary receptionists must also collect payments from customers and check people in for appointments before they leave.

A basic understanding of the types of care that household pets require may be beneficial to a veterinary receptionist. When a customer calls to schedule a vaccination appointment for a cat, for example, it may be beneficial if the receptionist can provide instructions such as the types of vaccines the cat will receive or the steps the pet owner must take prior to bringing the animal in. Furthermore, when calls come in, the receptionist must be able to direct the caller to the appropriate person who can answer the caller’s questions.

In addition to dealing with clients, many veterinary receptionists are also in charge of the office’s day-to-day paperwork. This could include ordering office supplies, opening mail, sending appointment reminder cards to patients, or assisting the veterinarian with other daily tasks. While larger veterinary practices may have an office manager or other assistants to handle these tasks, many smaller practices rely on the receptionist to do so.

Because animals are frequently present in veterinary offices, a veterinary receptionist should have a basic level of comfort dealing with them. When a pet first comes in for a checkup, a vet receptionist may assist in weighing the animal. In the event that the vet or vet techs become overworked, the receptionist may check on pets recovering from procedures at various times throughout the day.

Although the veterinary receptionist is not usually qualified to provide medical care to animals, he or she may walk the pets who are staying at the office and recovering from various medical treatments. The receptionist may also be called upon on occasion to assist a veterinarian in getting an animal into or out of a cage, or to perform other basic animal tasks. As a result, this is not a job for those who are afraid of coming into contact with domestic animals.

Aside from the basic skills needed to work as a receptionist, no special education or skills are required to work as a vet receptionist. Customer service experience, familiarity with answering phones or scheduling appointments, and typing skills are examples of these skills. Additional credentials, such as a degree in a related field, can also help a vet receptionist stand out from the competition during the hiring process.