Veterinary Receptionist

About the Role

You’ll be joining the Client Care team at Forest Veterinary Centre, working across a busy small animal hospital in Epping, a brand new practice in Harlow, and a smaller branch in Woodford. This is a part-time position (30 hours per week) with various shifts available, including weekends, giving you flexibility alongside meaningful work in a fast-paced environment.

The role is physical and demanding but genuinely varied and interesting. You’ll be the first point of contact for clients—both on the phone and face-to-face—and receptionists here are recognised as key to the practice’s commitment to excellent client care. You’ll need to stay calm under pressure, show genuine empathy, juggle multiple tasks, and maintain reliability and punctuality even during busy periods.

Key Responsibilities

• Answer phones and provide a warm, welcoming greeting to clients arriving at reception
• Book appointments and register new clients on the practice management system
• Process payments and handle client queries efficiently
• Respond to client emails with professionalism and care
• Maintain a clean, organised reception area
• Provide flexible cover during staff sickness or holiday periods
• Support the wider Client Care team across multiple practice locations

Requirements

• Proven experience in a reception or customer service role
• Good IT skills and competence with practice management software
• Excellent telephone and face-to-face communication skills
• Strong organisational and prioritisation abilities
• Ability to stay focused and multitask under pressure
• Reliability, punctuality, and a genuine passion for customer service
• Flexibility to cover shifts and absences when needed
• Previous veterinary experience is desirable but not essential

Benefits

• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays and birthday leave
• Career progression opportunities within Linnaeus
• Staff discount schemes
• Life assurance
• Enhanced sickness pay
• Enhanced equal family leave
• Employer contribution pension scheme
• Wellness programme including employee assistance programme
• Eyecare voucher scheme
• Free annual flu jab
• Cycle to work scheme
• Recruitment referral reward scheme

About the Practice

Forest Veterinary Centre is an established primary care practice delivering excellent levels of veterinary care across four locations: the main hospital in Epping (which also provides out-of-hours services for other local practices), plus branches in Harlow, Woodford, and the Isle of Dogs. The practice is part of Linnaeus and Mars Veterinary Health, the world’s largest family-owned veterinary company, giving you access to a vast network of specialists and development opportunities whilst maintaining a local, community-focused approach.

Linnaeus prioritises its 6,000+ associates through a comprehensive wellbeing package covering physical and mental health, inclusive culture, and genuine opportunities to progress your career. The organisation is driven by its purpose—to create a better world for pets and for people—and believes outstanding quality care starts with looking after its team.