Veterinary Receptionist / Patient Care Assistant

About the Role

This is a part-time weekend position at MiNightVet Hillsborough, a CVS Vets-owned out-of-hours practice in Northern Ireland. You’ll work Saturday and Sunday shifts between 09:00 and 19:00, giving you the flexibility of a daytime-only role while supporting crucial evening and weekend veterinary care. Whether you’re balancing study, another job, or simply prefer weekend work, this 12.5 hours per week opportunity offers genuine work-life balance.

You’ll be the welcoming face of the practice, managing incoming calls, scheduling appointments, and providing compassionate support to pet owners during what can be stressful times. The role combines traditional reception duties with hands-on animal care—from assisting vets and nurses with patient handling to cleaning, feeding, and walking animals in the practice’s care.

Key Responsibilities

• Answer and manage incoming calls with professionalism and empathy
• Schedule appointments efficiently using the practice’s system
• Greet and register new clients, ensuring a warm welcome
• Handle insurance forms, payments, and financial transactions accurately
• Dispense medications as required
• Provide emotional support and reassurance to clients, particularly during distressing situations
• Assist veterinarians and nurses with patient restraint and handling during treatment
• Run and process internal laboratory samples
• Perform animal welfare duties: feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating patients in care
• Liaise with other veterinary practices to address client and patient queries
• Manage debt recovery, refund requests, and lost property enquiries
• Maintain general cleanliness and hygiene standards throughout the facility

Requirements

• Previous reception experience (veterinary experience is a bonus, not essential)
• Practical experience in animal welfare, handling, and understanding animal care needs
• Resilience and ability to handle emotional situations with grace and professionalism
• Strong communication skills and genuine empathy for both clients and animals
• Excellent customer service experience working with the public
• Positive attitude, reliability, and strong teamwork abilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems
• Right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship not available for this role)

Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with National Minimum Wage (effective 1 April 2025)
• Generous 5-week annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Staff discounts on veterinary services and products
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Over 400 Mental Health First-Aiders available across CVS Vets
• Weekend-only shifts (Saturday and Sunday 09:00–19:00)
• Part-time hours (12.5 hours per week) for flexibility

About the Practice

MiNightVet Hillsborough is part of CVS Vets, one of the UK’s leading veterinary groups with over 500 practices and 8,000+ dedicated professionals. The practice operates as a dedicated weekend and out-of-hours facility, stepping in when daytime practices are closed to ensure pets always have access to care. You’ll be joining a mission-driven organisation where putting pets first isn’t just a slogan—it’s embedded in everything they do.

As a CVS Vets-owned practice, you’ll benefit from the support, resources, and professional development opportunities of a major group, combined with the collaborative, hands-on culture of a specialist facility. The team prioritises both animal welfare and staff wellbeing, making this an inclusive workplace where your skills and experience are truly valued.