Emergency Receptionist

Position Overview: Supports and adds value to an efficient organization dedicated to quality care and exceptional service. Performs a variety of clerical and customer service work in providing support to the hospital. 

Essential Functions:

• Offer owners and potential owners a warm and friendly greeting in person or on the phone; answer their questions

• Provide top-notch customer service

• Maintain a professional appearance (clothes and attitude)

• Identify and work compassionately with clients in various emotional states

• Respond to inquiries about the range of services the practice provides and the species it treats; refer to appropriate department/staff member as needed

• Coordinate the flow of pets and owners in the lobby; placate owners distressed by long waits, scheduling glitches, and other problems

• Recognize the symptoms of pet(s) and owners in crisis; handle basic medical emergencies appropriately

• Assist owners when picking up medications or special dietary products; answer questions

• Input data to practice management software to check pets in; make simple postings to accounts; compile data for various reports

• Type and edit a variety of correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other material ensuring accuracy

• Receive and distribute incoming mail; process and stamp outgoing mail

• Perform cashiering duties; process refunds, returns, and credits as needed

• Organize and process all payment plans

• Process billing statements and collections

• Coordinate and schedule appointments; call owners scheduled for the next day to remind them of their appointments, appointment times, and any special instructions (e.g., fasting, withholding or administering medications)

• May assist with retail sales

• May weigh pets when they come in for exams, procedures, etc.

• Respond to client emails

• Process faxes

• Show up for work regularly; full-time presence at work is essential for every shift

• Obtain previous records from other facilities and add to patient chart

• Call clients whose pets are overdue for vaccines, grooming, medication refills, etc.

• Learn basic veterinary medicine terminology

• Become familiar with retail products, medications, vaccinations, routine testing, and heartworm and flea preventatives and be able to confidently discuss with clients

• Have a strong sense of excellent customer service and be able to provide that to clients even during high-stress situations

• Be able to multi-task efficiently

• Able to identify conditions over the phone that can potentially be emergencies and schedule those appointments appropriately

• May take medication refill requests and messages for doctors

• Able to use Windows-based computer systems, word processing, email, web search, and other skills needed to effectively use software

• Able to reconcile the drawer and complete end-of-day duties at the close of the day

• Performs other duties as assigned

Competencies:

• Customer Service: Displays a desire to provide outstanding services and exceed customer expectations

• Communication: Uses effective and appropriate methods of interacting with others

• Energy and Productivity: Completes tasks quickly and thoroughly without prompting

• Flexibility and Multi-tasking: Adapts easily to changing demands and manages multiple priorities effectively

• Administrative Ability: Uses appropriate administrative and clerical procedures and systems for managing office work

• Dependability: Demonstrates responsibility in completing all job tasks

• Team Orientation: Works cooperatively with the team to address tasks and accomplish goals

• Organization and Attention to Detail: Monitors and reviews information thoroughly and maintains an organized system for all documents

• Time Management: Manages time and prioritizes work tasks effectively

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED

• Has CSR experience in a veterinary setting  (preferred) 

• Knowledge of clerical procedures such as alphabetizing files and records

• Ability to provide great customer service in a courteous, prompt, and efficient manner

• Ability to perform cashier duties accurately

• Ability to multitask and pay close attention to details

• Must be flexible with scheduling and able to work some weekends and holidays

• Depending on functional area of assignment, tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation and/or extended periods of time standing and/or walking

• May involve some climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling

• Some tasks involve the periodic performance of moderately physically demanding work, usually involving lifting or carrying moderately heavy animals (up to 50 pounds)

Note: The list of essential functions, as outlined in this job description, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of any job function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.