Veterinary Assistant/Receptionist

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 role 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.

Responsibilities

Veterinary Technician Assistant

• 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

• 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. Flexibility with scheduling—including occasional evenings, weekends, or holidays—may be beneficial.