Are you passionate about animal welfare and delivering exceptional customer service? We are looking for a caring, enthusiastic, and organised Animal Care Assistant / Receptionist to join our friendly veterinary practice team.
This is a varied and rewarding role where you'll be at the heart of both client care and patient care; supporting pet owners, veterinary surgeons, nurses, and their animals every day.
About the Role
As an Animal Care Assistant / Receptionist, you will play a vital role in creating a positive experience for clients while helping to ensure the highest standards of care for our patients. Working across both reception and clinical support duties, you'll help maintain a welcoming environment, assist with animal care, and support the smooth running of the practice alongside our clinical team.
This role is for a full-time position across four weekdays, in addition to 1 in 4 Saturday mornings. Job shares will be considered.
The salary will be around £24,784.50 depending on hours and experience.
Key Responsibilities
Client Care & Reception
- Provide outstanding customer service in person, over the telephone, and through digital communication channels
- Welcome clients and their pets with empathy, professionalism, and compassion
- Manage appointments, bookings, payments, and administrative tasks accurately
- Handle client enquiries and direct clinical questions to the appropriate veterinary team member
- Maintain accurate client records and ensure confidentiality is upheld at all times
- Assist clients in understanding preventative healthcare options, pet health plans, insurance, and practice services
- Support the efficient flow of consultations and appointments
Patient Care & Clinical Support
- Assist veterinary surgeons and nurses with the safe handling and restraint of animals
- Prepare consulting rooms, equipment, and clinical areas
- Maintain excellent standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and infection control
- Support inpatient care, including feeding, cleaning, exercising, and monitoring patients as directed by a veterinary surgeon
- Observe and report changes in patient wellbeing and behaviour
- Assist with basic telephone triage and recognise emergency situations
- Ensure accurate and timely patient record keeping
- Advise on practice worming and vaccination policies
Teamwork & Practice Support
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across all areas of the practice
- Contribute to a positive, supportive, and inclusive working environment
- Demonstrate excellent organisation, time management, and problem-solving skills
- Follow all health and safety, infection control, and practice protocols
- Support stock management and responsible use of practice resources
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Has a genuine love of animals and a commitment to their welfare
- Enjoys building strong relationships with clients and colleagues
- Has excellent communication and customer service skills
- Is calm, compassionate, and professional in challenging situations
- Is reliable, organised, and able to manage multiple priorities
- Works well both independently and as part of a team
- Has strong attention to detail and a positive attitude
- Is keen to learn and develop within a veterinary environment
- Educated to GCSE level to include Maths and English to a C or above grade
- Previous animal handling experience
- Previous experience in a customer service role
- Computer literate and prior experience of working with Microsoft Office Packages, Outlook and Internet
- Confident communicator, both on the telephone and face to face
- Flexible team player
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle insured for business use
- Previous experience in a veterinary, animal care, customer service, or reception environment
- Completion of, or willingness to undertake, BVRA Foundation Level Training and Veterinary Care Assistant introductory training
- Understanding of animal welfare, handling, and basic clinical support duties
What We Offer
- A rewarding role helping animals and supporting their owners
- Ongoing training and professional development opportunities with support from experienced colleagues
- Access to continuing professional development; 1 day’s leave and £250 per year (based on a full-time role)
- A positive workplace culture where teamwork and wellbeing are valued; access to Westfield Health which provides cashback for dental, optical and physiotherapy costs, access to a Virtual GP, cashback for flu vaccinations and prescriptions amongst other benefits
- Opportunities to progress within the veterinary profession
- Holiday entitlement of 30 days per year inclusive on Bank Holidays with the opportunity to buy up to 10 extra days of holiday and sell 2 days of holiday (based on a full-time role)
- Discretionary Summer and Christmas bonus scheme for eligible colleagues
- Paid volunteer day to assist at a charity of your choice
So...
If you're passionate about animal care, enjoy helping people, and want to be part of a dedicated veterinary team, we'd love to hear from you.
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Contact Details:
The Firs Veterinary Surgery Recruitment Team
