Veterinary Receptionist / Client Care Advisor

About the Role

The Vets4Pets Colchester Referral Hospital is looking for a friendly and organised Veterinary Receptionist to join its established team. This is a day-based role—no nights or out-of-hours cover required—offering excellent scope to develop within a busy, professional environment that combines advanced patient care with exceptional client service.

Working in a purpose-built referral hospital equipped with advanced diagnostic and surgical facilities, you’ll be the first point of contact for clients and the operational hub supporting a multi-disciplinary clinical team of 22 vets, 18 RVNs, and 45+ other colleagues across the Colchester sites. You’ll coordinate referrals with first-opinion practices, manage admissions and discharges, handle payments and insurance documentation, and keep the reception area running like clockwork.

Key Responsibilities

• Welcoming clients and managing front-of-house operations in the referral hospital
• Handling inbound calls, emails, and appointment scheduling with efficiency
• Coordinating referrals and liaising with first-opinion partner practices
• Supporting patient admissions, discharges, and day-to-day administrative tasks
• Managing payments, invoicing, and insurance documentation accurately
• Maintaining precise client and patient records
• Ensuring the reception and waiting areas remain professional, organised, and welcoming

Requirements

• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Confidence using computer systems and managing appointments
• Ability to work efficiently in a busy, fast-paced environment
• Calm, professional manner—particularly with anxious clients
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritise workload
• Collaborative approach and teamwork mindset
• Reliability and a positive, can-do attitude
• High standards of client care and confidentiality
• Desirable: Previous reception or client-facing experience in veterinary, medical, or healthcare settings (full training provided if not)

Benefits

• Competitive salary from £26,500 per annum (FTE), reviewed after 12 months
• Pension scheme and life assurance (4x annual salary)
• 22 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Increasing to 26 days after 24 months’ service
• 20% colleague discount at Pets at Home, The Groom Room, and Vets4Pets
• Access to corporate benefits and wellbeing initiatives

About the Practice

Vets4Pets Colchester Referral Hospital is a modern, purpose-built facility providing high-level inpatient and outpatient referral care across advanced diagnostic, medical, and surgical specialities. The practice has experienced consistent growth over 20 years and continues to invest in facilities and team development. Across the wider Colchester sites, the team includes 22 Veterinary Surgeons, 18 Registered Veterinary Nurses, 5 Student Veterinary Nurses, 10 Veterinary Care Assistants, 3 Practice Managers, and 15 Client Care Advisors working in a supportive, collaborative culture.

Vets4Pets is part of Mars Veterinary Health and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a workplace where all team members can be their best selves. The practice values compassion, initiative, and a genuine commitment to animal welfare.