A Day in the Life of a Vet Receptionist

After about a year in a kennel, I started training at the front desk and became a Veterinary Receptionist. Sometimes I heard, “Oh, you’re just a receptionist. You just sit around all day and talk on the phone.”

More Than Just Answering Phones

While a large part of the Veterinary Receptionist’s job is to answer the phones, it’s so much more than just saying “Hello” and “Thanks for calling,” and we are hardly ever “just sitting around all day.”

Juggling Multiple Tasks

Every morning, we prepare all the files for the day, admit surgeries and grooms, and help anyone that walks into the clinic—all while answering the four phone lines we have here at the clinic.

Triage and Communication Skills

We have to be able to triage over the phone, understanding what constitutes an emergency and what needs to be seen right away versus what can wait. We need to get detailed information from panicked owners and relay that information to technicians and veterinarians.

Managing Schedules and Emotions

Juggling multiple doctors’ and technicians’ schedules is another key part of our job. We are often the empathetic shoulder for clients during times of trouble or sadness and share in their joy during moments of triumph. We also help families welcome new pets and guide them when it’s time to say goodbye to a longtime companion.

Multitasking and Prioritizing

We must ask the right questions in every situation, legally document patient information, and relay messages between clients and veterinarians. Prioritizing tasks and multitasking are essential skills we use daily.

The Face of the Clinic

As the first and last face clients see when visiting the clinic, and often the first voice they hear when calling, we play a crucial role in creating a positive impression of the clinic.

The Importance of Veterinary Receptionists

As you can see, being a Veterinary Receptionist is much more than “just sitting around talking on the phone all day.” It requires compassion for both people and animals, and often years of training and experience to be fully comfortable in this role. It is an important role that we certainly take pride in.

Written by Kathy Raepple