Veterinary Receptionist in Gateshead

Location: Sheriffs Highway Vets, Gateshead

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Sheriffs Highway Vets is ideally located within easy commuting distance to the Newcastle City Centre, renowned for its culture, the north east coast and beautiful countryside of Durham and Northumberland. The main location of Sheriffs Highway Vets is a 24‑hour site located in Gateshead. We also have branches in Whickham, Sunderland and Crawcrook which perform their own operations and procedures.

We have digital radiography, dental radiography, flexible and rigid endoscopes, in-house lab including haematology, biochemistry and EPOC machines, excellent ultrasound machine with Doppler and a wide range of specialised equipment for performing most soft tissue, orthopaedic and endoscopy surgeries including laparoscope. We have a dedicated and specialised OOH emergency and critical care team.

IVC Evidensia is the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group, made up of over 900 practices and referral hospitals, united by a shared purpose of happier animals, happier owners. At IVC Evidensia, we believe careers should be built without limits. Our people are supported to make more clinical impact, access more career opportunities, and play an active role in their local and professional communities. Through investment in learning, innovation, and wellbeing, we create environments where our teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment—at every stage of their career.

How you'll make a difference:

As a Receptionist, you will be the first point of contact for clients, playing a key role in delivering a welcoming, professional, and compassionate experience at every interaction. You’ll support the smooth running of the practice by managing appointments, handling enquiries, supporting client communications, and working closely with clinical and non‑clinical colleagues to ensure a positive client and patient journey. In this role you will also need to have a full driving licence and your own vehicle.

Key responsibilities:

• Welcoming clients and patients to the practice
• Handling telephone enquiries and booking appointments
• Managing the reception desk and client records
• Processing payments and admin tasks
• Supporting the veterinary and nursing teams

This is a full‑time permanent role working 38 hours over 4 days per week and working 1 in 2 Saturday mornings.

You might be a great fit if:

• Excellent communication skills and a professional, welcoming manner
• Experience in a customer‑facing role, with a strong focus on service and attention to detail
• The ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a busy environment
• A collaborative approach and willingness to support colleagues
• A proactive attitude, with openness to feedback and learning

How we’ll support you:

• A key client‑facing role within a supportive and collaborative practice team
• Clear career pathways with progression opportunities within client care and practice leadership roles
• Ongoing learning and development supported by experienced colleagues and practice teams
• A values‑led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement

What we offer our team:

• 6.6 weeks' annual leave
• Additional annual leave for your birthday, which will be added to your holiday allowance
• Increasing annual leave accrued through length of service
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental and surrogacy pay
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Learning and development opportunities via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care
• Voluntary benefits: choose from a range of benefits to suit you
• Access to discounts/cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

Up to £25,201.9 per annum