Veterinary Customer Service Representative

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this position is to serve as receptionist at Gregg Animal Hospital, to perform record keeping duties, to perform clerical duties related to patient care and treatment, and to provide miscellaneous support to the veterinary practice manager and health care team. These service functions include, but are not limited to, reception (visitor and telephone), maintenance of veterinary medical records, accounts maintenance, cash processing, data entry, word processing and mail service. This position requires a practical knowledge of hospital organization and services, the basic rules and regulations governing visitors and animal patient treatment, data transcribing, word processing, and a practical knowledge of the standard procedures, veterinary records and terminology used in the hospital.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide friendly, quality client care to the patients and clients of Gregg Animal Hospital.

· Receive incoming calls, screen those that are handled by other health care team members and take care of routine calls. The routine calls include those seeking information about veterinary services (“telephone shoppers”). Provide knowledgeable sub-professional advice concerning the care and treatment of animals.

· Follow established hospital policies and procedures in referring clients for immediate treatment of their pets when requests are accompanied by complaints of acute symptoms. Determine nature of injury/illness and attempt to reassure distressed pet owners. Determine whether immunizations and/or tests are current. Recommend update of necessary immunizations and/or tests to clients when applicable.

· Schedule appointments, obtaining all necessary data concerning the patient and owner. Prepare all required forms in advance when possible.

· Prepare to receive appointments by retrieving client records, preparing needed forms in advance of clients’ arrival. Complete required forms such as new client form, patient visit form, client report, consent forms including euthanasia, estimates, payment agreements, etc. and obtain all necessary information.

· Check clients in - Greet clients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner.

· Discharge patients. Review charts of patients being discharged from the clinic for completeness of information, make new appointments or note changes in patient status as necessary. Enter charges and set up future reminders in system. Present clients with medications, instruction.

· Assure that all financial obligations are met by owners. Collect client fees, make change, process credit card transactions and assist in making count of cash drawer, run end of day transactions.

· Perform over-the-counter selling of specialty merchandise comprised of pet grooming aids and sundry veterinary items. Exercise technical knowledge of products sold and demonstrate salesmanship abilities. Explain and demonstrate products, answer questions concerning products purchase/ use.

· Fill veterinary prescriptions with appropriate medication; provide routine instructions to owners concerning prescriptions for medications.

· Collect lab specimens from pet owners, match patient record to the sample and submit samples to veterinary technician or nurse.

· Assist in the updating of client files; prepare and mail thank you cards and “welcome aboard” cards, reminders. Follow-up with clients when clinic records indicate no recent visits.

· As required, enter data into the computer system, retrieve and modify computerized records. The practice management software includes, but is not limited to, such areas as reminder list of patients for periodic notifications, receipt and/or invoicing to update medical/financial records; accounting to include the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing and aging of accounts, income distribution, inventory control, client records, pet records, medical records, payroll; word processing to produce letters for general correspondence and special mailings to clients, etc.

· Perform a variety of clerical duties, receiving, sorting, distributing mail, sending out mailings, cleaning, organizing reception area, type memos, correspondence, reports and other documents. Assist in the ordering, receiving, stocking and distribution of supplies.

· Work well with all employees and ensure that your actions support the hospital, the doctors, and the practice philosophy.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

CONTROLS OVER WORK

The receptionist works under the direct supervision of the receptionist team leader/office manager and/or veterinary practice manager, who will indicate general assignments, limitations and priorities. Recurring assignments are performed independently. Deviations or unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor. Completed work is reviewed for technical accuracy and compliance with established procedures.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

· Possession of strong organizational skills.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Possess exceptional interpersonal communication skills.

· Knowledge of hospital procedures and operating instructions for making appointments, assembling patient medical records, recording test results, relaying information regarding patient’s condition, and compiling and submitting data on patients treated.

· Knowledge of the spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary medicine to accurately record results of tests and file veterinary medical reports according to alpha, numeric or subject matter headings.

· Requires strong client service skills. Personal contacts are with pet owners affected by a variety of problems, visitors and other healthcare team members. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Must accurately relay owner’s account of the medical complaint(s) of the pet(s) involved to the healthcare team member who will be involved in treating the patient(s).

· Knowledge of principles and processes for providing client and personal services. This includes client needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of client satisfaction.

· Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

· Ability to work independently on assigned tasks as well as to accept direction on given assignments.

· Critical thinking - Understanding logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

· Knowledge of computers and relevant software applications including MS Office (Word).

PHYSICAL EFFORT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.

· Frequently position self and move about the reception area to file, use office machinery such as fax machines and computer, and assist clients with merchandise.

· Frequently transports inventory to stock shelves. Frequently handling 30 pounds and occasionally handling 50 pounds.

· Often transports patients to other areas of the hospital.

· Frequently required to communicate with clients, team members and associates. Must be able to exchange accurate information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to hazards associated with aggressive patients; hazards associated with infected animals, cleaning agents/products, pharmaceutical products, and controlled substances; exposure to unpleasant odors and noises; exposure to bites, scratches and animal wastes; possible exposure to contagious and zoonotic diseases, radiation and gas anesthetics.

Note: When duties and responsibilities change, job description will be reviewed and subject to changes of business necessity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Professionally administer all phone calls - answering client inquiries in a prompt and friendly manner, scheduling appointments, recording messages.

· Requires strong communication and client service skills. Considerable tact and diplomacy is required. Ability to greet clients in a professional, friendly, hospitable manner - check clients in, discharge patients.

· Collect client fees, post and record payments, make change, process credit card transactions and run end of day transactions.

· Input data into computer software system.

· Open and close practice.

· Perform a variety of clerical duties, mailings, cleaning, organizing reception area, type memos, correspondence, reports and other documents.

· Ability to multi-task.

· Regular attendance and timeliness are an essential function in order to fulfill the requirements of this position.

· Perform general physical activities that require bending, standing, stooping, moving from room to room, sit, talk, and listen; may be required to walk or stand for long periods of time; will use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; will reach with hands and arms and will interact with and safely hold/move animals.

· The employee must be able to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

· Follow federal and state animal health laws and regulations including OSHA and DEA.

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $12.00 - $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Holidays

Work setting:

• In-person

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Veterinary Customer Service: 2 years (Required)
• Avimark: 1 year (Required)
• Veterinary Receptionist: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person