Veterinary Receptionist

About the role

Canton Veterinary Hospital is seeking a Part-Time Veterinary Receptionist for early morning day shifts and evening shifts with rotating Saturdays. Veterinary medicine experience is required. The role involves providing exceptional client service while maintaining a smooth, efficient flow of clients and patients through the animal hospital. Primary duties include greeting clients, determining needs, and completing check-in and check-out processes. The position requires practical knowledge of clinic procedures and policies, performing office duties related to patient care, and assisting the Hospital Manager and doctors as needed. The Receptionist reports to the Hospital Manager (or the Managing Doctor in their absence). This role may require standing for long periods and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Schedule

Part-time; early morning day shifts and evening shifts with rotating Saturdays.

Responsibilities

• Communicate professionally and effectively with all team members and clients.
• Collaborate with veterinarians and technicians to maintain patient flow.
• Provide compassionate service to clients.
• Receive incoming calls using prescribed telephone techniques and address prospective clients’ needs.
• Schedule client appointments, answer questions, and return client calls.
• Follow established policies for scheduling ill/injured patients, vaccinations, rechecks, surgeries, in-hospital procedures, and other services requiring doctor/technician time.
• Contact clients with scheduled outpatient or pre-surgery appointments to remind them of time and requirements (e.g., stool samples, fasting instructions).
• Maintain appearance and cleanliness of the waiting room and reception area through close, including restocking products, office supplies, client educational materials, and hospital brochures.
• Demonstrate basic emergency procedures and provide proper information on patient transport; advise hospital staff of incoming emergencies.
• Greet clients cheerfully and professionally, ensuring continuous contact from arrival to departure.
• Complete client check-ins and check-outs, preparing all required forms (in-house patient/client forms, health certificates, euthanasia forms, vaccination certificates, handouts, rabies tags/certificates, consent/release forms, pre-surgery instruction sheets, etc.).
• Schedule follow-up medical progress exams and additional healthcare appointments as directed by a doctor.
• Assist emotional or grieving clients by escorting them to a private area; demonstrate empathy for companion animals and use trained techniques to reassure distressed pet owners.
• Invoice clients, collect fees, make change, process credit card payments and authorizations per hospital credit policies; counsel clients on payment options and assist with paperwork (e.g., Care Credit applications, promissory notes).
• Educate clients on products and services; respond to routine medical care questions (vaccination schedules, worming, flea treatment) in person or by phone.
• Assist with client reminders for annual health assessments, parasite checks, dentistry, senior care, etc.
• Follow time clock procedures for clocking in/out and report to work on time for each shift.
• Ensure the front office is clean, tidy, and professionally presented at all times.
• Assist the Hospital Manager with special projects during slow periods.
• Maintain sufficient supply of hospital forms and office supplies; reorder promptly or notify the Hospital Manager well in advance to prevent shortages.
• Maximize the schedule based on doctor availability and appointment time requirements.
• Assist the Hospital Manager with additional clinic tasks as needed.

Requirements

• Experience in veterinary medicine required.
• Genuine sense of caring for animals.
• Ability to lift approximately 50 pounds.
• Ability to multitask efficiently and work well both independently and within a team.
• Ability to handle the physical and emotional aspects of a veterinary clinic environment, including euthanasia.
• Active listening, critical thinking, complex problem solving, time management, judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional and courteous manner with all staff and clients.

Pay

$18–20 per hour, commensurate with experience.