Veterinary Receptionist (Customer Care)

Veterinary Receptionist Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery, Carlow Full-Time | Permanent 42.5 Hours per Week Salary: €31,271.50 per annum At inspiring vet care, our people are at the heart of everything we do. As part of one of Europe’s leading veterinary care groups, Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery combines the support and opportunities of a wider network with the close-knit feel of a trusted local practice. We are seeking a warm, professional and customer-focused Veterinary Receptionist to join our team at Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery in Carlow on a full-time, permanent basis. Oaklawns is a long-established mixed veterinary practice serving Carlow and the surrounding communities. Our team of five Veterinary Surgeons, three Veterinary Nurses and four administrative colleagues works closely together to provide high-quality care to companion animals and farm clients. Conveniently located close to Carlow town centre, with nearby bus and rail services, you’ll join a friendly and supportive practice with a loyal client base and strong connections to the local community. How You’ll Make a Difference As a Veterinary Receptionist, you will be the first point of contact for our clients, playing an important role in delivering a welcoming, professional and compassionate experience at every interaction. You’ll support the smooth running of the practice by managing appointments, responding to telephone and email enquiries, processing payments, maintaining accurate client records and providing administrative support to the wider veterinary team. You’ll also support clients during what can sometimes be stressful or emotional situations, using empathy, patience and professionalism to ensure they feel listened to and supported. Working Pattern 42.5 hours per week across five days Tuesday to Friday, working either 8:30am – 6:00pm or 9:00am – 6:30pm Saturday 8:30am – 5:30pm One-hour unpaid lunch break each day No Sunday working Occasional Monday working may be required to provide holiday cover Key Responsibilities Welcome clients and their pets in a friendly, professional and compassionate manner Manage appointments and support the smooth running of clinician diaries Respond to telephone, email and face-to-face enquiries Process payments and maintain accurate client and patient information Provide administrative support to the clinical and wider practice team Support clients sensitively during stressful or emotional situations Help maintain an organised and professional reception environment Work collaboratively with the wider reception team to deliver an excellent client experience You Might Be a Great Fit If... You are a friendly, professional and organised individual who enjoys helping people and delivering excellent customer service. You’ll bring: Previous reception or customer service experience, ideally within a veterinary, healthcare, medical or similar professional environment Excellent spoken and written English Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with clients and colleagues Good computer literacy, with confidence using Microsoft Office, email and appointment management systems Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail The ability to prioritise effectively and remain calm in a busy environment A reliable, trustworthy and compassionate approach A positive attitude and willingness to learn and develop Previous experience with veterinary practice management systems would be an advantage, although full training will be provided on our internal systems and processes. How We’ll Support You We’re committed to supporting your development and wellbeing. When you join us, you’ll benefit from: A key client-facing role within a supportive and collaborative practice team Full training on our internal systems and processes Ongoing training and development opportunities Career progression pathways across the wider veterinary network Access to Leadership Academy programmes Annual performance and salary reviews A supportive team environment where your contribution is valued What We Offer Our Team Annual leave entitlement Birthday leave Paid maternity, paternity and adoptive leave Paid bereavement leave Company sick pay Employer pension contributions Cycle to Work Scheme Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Wellbeing Centre access Free flu vaccinations Discounted veterinary fees for your pets Access to Pawesome Benefits retail and lifestyle discounts Opportunity to participate in company initiatives and colleague networks We’re committed to supporting our people through career development opportunities, wellbeing initiatives and access to learning and development throughout their careers. If you’re looking for a role where you can combine excellent customer service skills with a genuine passion for helping people and animals, we’d love to hear from you. €2 - €31,271.50 a year €31,271.50 per annum We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.