Job Roles at Beyond Pets Animal Hospital

A veterinary Client Service Representative (previously known as a veterinary receptionist) is a receptionist who works at the office of a veterinarian or “vet”. Like any other receptionist, a vet receptionist has to be able to handle basic duties such as answering phones, opening mail, and managing rudimentary office functions. Because a receptionist in a vet’s office also works with animals, they must generally be familiar and comfortable around cats, dogs, and other household pets.

Although the duties of a veterinary receptionist vary from office to office, most veterinary receptionists perform the same basic tasks. These tasks include greeting customers, answering telephone calls, and setting appointments. In many offices, veterinary receptionists must collect customer payments before leaving and check people in for appointments.

It may be helpful for a veterinary receptionist to have a rudimentary understanding of the types of care that household pets need. For example, when a customer calls to schedule a vaccination appointment for a cat, it may be helpful if the receptionist can provide the customer with instructions such as the types of vaccines the cat will be getting or steps the pet owner needs to take before bringing the animal in. In addition, when calls come in, the receptionist must be able to direct the pet owner to the appropriate person who can provide the owner with answers to their questions.

In addition to dealing with customers, many veterinary receptionists also manage the day-to-day paperwork that helps the office function. This can include ordering office supplies, opening mail, sending reminder cards to patients about appointments, or assisting the veterinarian in daily tasks. While larger vet offices may have an office manager or other assistants who serve these functions, many vet offices are small, and the receptionist fulfills these duties.

Because animals are often present in a vet office, a veterinary receptionist should be at least comfortable dealing with them. A vet receptionist in some offices will help weigh an animal when the pet first comes in for the checkup. The receptionist may also check on pets recuperating from procedures at various points in the day in case the vet or vet techs become busy.

Although the veterinary receptionist does not provide medical care to animals and is not usually qualified to do so, he or she may walk the pets staying at the office and recuperating from various medical treatments. The receptionist may also occasionally be called upon to help a vet get an animal in or out of a cage or to do other basic tasks with animals. Therefore, this is not an appropriate job for those uncomfortable coming into contact with domestic pets.

Generally, no special education or skills are required to become a vet receptionist other than the basic skills required. These skills may include customer service experience, familiarity with answering telephones or appointment setting, or typing skills. Additional qualifications, such as a degree in a related field, may also help set a vet receptionist apart from the other candidates during the employment process.

Some of the specific tasks of a vet assistant include checking the vital signs of patients, weighing them, and asking an owner questions about the animal.  Also, an assistant often calms a dog or cat during the veterinarian’s examination.  Vet assistants may exercise the dogs and cats that are staying overnight at the clinic.  Cleaning cages, wiping down exam tables, and feeding animals are other tasks of vet assistants.

Veterinary assistants are responsible for keeping the animals under their care clean and safe. They bathe, clean, and disinfect animal cages, sterilize surgical equipment, and perform daily caretaking tasks such as feeding and weighing animals. They also administer medications, collect blood, urine, and tissue samples for testing, perform lab tests, and monitor animals during surgery. Vet assistants also maintain the charts that document daily care.

In addition to animal care, veterinary assistants also assist pet owners. They are often the first point of contact for clients and, as such, set the tone for their experience. Veterinary assistants educate pet owners about illnesses, medications, and general care and answer their questions and concerns.

Pets are important family members in more than 60% of households in the United States today. As integral members of the veterinary care team, veterinary assistants have the reward and satisfaction of assisting these beloved companion animals and their owners.

Veterinary assistants work in several types of environments.  Some assistants work in animal hospitals or clinics.  Others work in the private practices of veterinarians.  In addition, some veterinary assistants work in mobile units that travel around giving medical care to dogs and cats where they live.  A veterinary assistant can work in a large practice with several veterinarians or in a small practice with just one vet.

Furthermore, a vet assistant’s work hours depend on where he or she works.  Some animal hospitals are open 24 hours a day, so a vet assistant may work overnight or during the day.

 Veterinary technicians are highly trained veterinary assistants. They provide patient monitoring, animal restraint, surgical and dental assistance, laboratory diagnostics, medicine and treatment administration, and anesthesiology, among other vital animal care and veterinary clinical tasks.

Some technicians are trained on the job by the veterinarian(s) or other technicians on staff. Some technicians attend schools that offer two—or four-year degrees in the science of veterinary technology. Upon completing a formal academic program or taking state-administered certification tests, one can become credentialed as a licensed or registered veterinary technician.

Credentialed technicians often have a better job outlook and higher income opportunities, but this varies with an individual’s level of experience and by local demand.

Various initials in the United States know credentialed veterinary technicians:

• CVT: Certified Veterinary Technician
• LVT: Licensed Veterinary Technician
• RVT: Registered Veterinary Technician

A kennel assistant is a person who works at a boarding kennel that houses cats or dogs. A boarding kennel is where owners can place their dogs, cats, or other domestic pets if the owner needs temporary care. Kennel assistants also work at animal shelters and occasionally veterinarians’ offices or other locations where many animals are boarded in kennels.

A kennel assistant assists in the care of the animals. While these types of workers are generally not licensed veterinarians and may have no formal training in animal care, many people who work in kennels love animals and become familiar with the steps required to care for animals ipositively In fact, most of the people who work in this profession receive a significant amount of on-the-job training in how to relate to animals positively.

The exact function of a kennel assistant varies depending on the nature of the kennel in which they work. Some facilities that board animals for private owners, and even some animal shelters or rescues, provide a “cage-free kennel.” In a cage-free kennel, the assistant helps keep order and ensures no problems develop between animals.

Standard kennels contain cages where animals are kept. In these types of kennels, an assistant may be called upon to walk an animal to provide exercise and give the animal a break from its cage. A kennel assistant in this environment may also be responsible for periodically cleaning animal waste from the cage.

Many owners need to temporarily kennel their animals for various reasons. For example, if a pet owner goes on vacation, he may be unable to take his dog with him. In this case, he may opt to place his dog in a boarding kennel staffed by animal care professionals.

In these types of private kennels or boarding facilities, a kennel assistant may be called upon to meet the needs of the individual owner. Some pet owners feed their pets a special diet, for example. The assistant may have to help the owner or main caregiver provide this special diet for the appropriate pet.