Veterinary Patient Care Assistant / Receptionist

Are you ready to put pets first? Join our team as our new  Veterinary Patient Care Assistant / Receptionist.

At Alnorthumbria Veterinary Centre, we make pets a priority every day!

Role Details:

Location: To be based across our Alnwick and Wooler sites

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 36.25 hours per week

Shift Pattern: Monday – Friday with a 1:2 share in the Saturday rota. The exact shift patterns are detailed below:

Mondays and Tuesdays based at Wooler 09.00 – 18.00 in a PCA capacity

Thursdays and Fridays based at Alnwick 08.00 – 18.00 in a Receptionist capacity

2:4 Saturdays based at Alnwick 08.30 – 13.00 in a Receptionist capacity

Discover Our Practice:

Get a glimpse of what makes us special:

Alnorthumbria Veterinary Centre, Alnwick | CVS Vets

Alnorthumbria Veterinary Centre, Wooler | CVS Vets

About CVS Vets:

Joining a CVS Vets-owned practice is more than just starting a job—it's the beginning of a rewarding career with one of the UK's leading veterinary groups.

Our mission is simple yet meaningful: to provide the best possible care for animals, and this dedication guides everything we do. 

With a network of over 500 practices and more than 8,000 devoted professionals, you'll become part of a supportive community focused on one goal: putting pets first. 

It's in our nature – to care, to support, to learn and to progress. That's what sets us apart at CVS Vets.

About the role:

The Patient Care Assistant and Receptionist positions are crucial in any veterinary practice. You'll support our skilled RVN's and Vets in providing exceptional care to our animal patients.

Your responsibilities will include:

Patient Care Assistant

• Providing nursing care to our patients
• Assisting Vets and Nurses with animal restraint
• Walking, feeding, and cleaning patients
• Preparing emergency and operating facilities
• Performing general cleaning and maintenance
• Running internal lab samples
• Answering emergency calls

Receptionist

• Manage Communication: Handle incoming calls and schedule appointments efficiently
• Inquiries Resolution: Respond to queries via phone, email, and in-person interactions with professionalism
• Client Reception: Greet and register new clients, ensuring a warm welcome
• Insurance Management: Process and manage insurance forms adeptly
• Medication Distribution: Dispense medications as required
• Financial Transactions: Process payments accurately and efficiently
• Emotional Support: Provide empathy and understanding to clients during distressing times, while maintaining professionalism
• System Utilisation: Organise patients using the in-house system efficiently
• Inter-practice Communication: Liaise with veterinary practices to address patient needs and queries
• Debt and Refund Management: Make necessary phone calls regarding debts, belongings, and refunds
• Client Care: Above all, ensure that every client feels welcomed and valued at our practice

Who We're Looking For:

• Skilled in customer service and public interaction
• Resilience and the ability to handle emotional situations with kindness and professionalism
• Strong communication skills paired with genuine empathy
• Experienced in animal welfare, including feeding, cleaning, and handling – this is essential!
• Resilient and capable of handling emotional situations
• Positive and a team player
• Preferably have experience in a veterinary environment
• Resilience and the ability to handle emotional situations with kindness and professionalism
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems

Our Offer to You:

We understand that benefits matter. Here are just a few of the perks you'll enjoy:

• Salary aligned with the National Minimum Wage
• Five weeks' annual leave (pro rata) per annum, plus bank holidays
• Staff discount scheme on Veterinary bills and care
• Staff discount on Animed Direct, our online dispensary, where you can benefit from discounts on pet medicines, products and food
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential wellbeing support
• And lots more, as part of our commitment to help you feel recognised, supported and appreciated!

For a full list of what we offer, click here: CVS Vets | What We Offer

CVS Vets is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their true selves, celebrating diversity and empowering each team member to perform at their best.

We're committed to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.

Ready to join us? Click the 'Apply Now' button below.

Please note: We can only accept and progress applications from candidates with the Right to Work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for clinical support roles due to Home Office criteria.