Our Veterinary

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, he or she generally also must be familiar and comfortable around cats, dogs, and other household pets.

Although the duties associated with being 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 also have to collect payments from customers before they leave the office and check people in for appointments.

It may be useful 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 his 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 otherwise assisting the veterinarian in daily tasks. While larger vet offices may have an office manager or other assistants that 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 have at least a basic degree of comfort when it comes to dealing with animals. 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 who are 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 who are staying at the office and recuperating from various medical treatments. The receptionist may also be called upon occasionally 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 who aren’t comfortable 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 to become a receptionist. 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 administer medications, collect blood, urine and tissue samples for testing, perform lab tests and monitor animals during surgery. Vet assistants also perform the important task of maintaining the charts that document daily care.

In addition to the animal care they provide, 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 members of the family 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, the work hours of a vet assistant are dependent upon where he or she works.  Some animal hospitals are open 24 hours a day which means that a vet assistant may work overnight or during the day.  Alternatively, a person working in a veterinarian’s private office often works regular office hours.

 Veterinary technicians are highly-trained veterinary assistants. Technicians provide patient monitoring, animal restraint, surgical and dental assistance, laboratory diagnostics, administration of medicines and treatments, 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 completion of a formal academic program or by 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.

Credentialed veterinary technicians are known by various initials in the United States:

• 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 a place where owners can place their dogs, cats or other domestic pets if the owner needs temporary care for the pet. Kennel assistants also work at animal shelters and occasionally veterinarian’s offices or other locations where large numbers of animals are boarded in kennels.

A kennel assistant functions to assist 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 in a positive manner. 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 in a positive manner.

The exact function of a kennel assistant varies depending on the nature of the kennel in which he or she works. 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 generally helps keep order and ensures that 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 in order to provide exercise and to give the animal a break from its cage. A kennel assistant in this environment may also be responsible for cleaning animal waste from the cage periodically.

Many owners need to place their animals in a kennel temporarily 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 that is 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 with providing this special diet for the appropriate pet.