Veterinary Receptionist

About the Role

This is a full-time, temporary position covering maternity leave for approximately 10 months across New Priory Vets’ three Brighton-area locations. You’ll be the first point of contact for clients and their pets, both face-to-face and over the telephone, working in a well-equipped flagship hospital in the heart of Brighton alongside a large team of veterinary surgeons, nurses, and support staff.

The role offers the chance to experience how both larger referral hospitals and smaller first-opinion practices operate, building a strong professional network across the group. You’ll work 40 hours per week across Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (10-hour shifts) with weekend cover on rotation—realistic scheduling that balances service delivery with team wellbeing.

Brighton itself is a fantastic location: vibrant seaside culture, beautiful beaches, excellent transport links to London and Gatwick, and plenty of outdoor activities—just a 5-minute walk from the train station and 20 minutes from the town centre.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for clients arriving at the practice and calling with enquiries
• Triage emergency calls and provide appropriate advice to clients
• Welcome and register new clients, make and manage appointments
• Record and relay all messages accurately and promptly
• Dispense medicines under veterinary direction
• Process payments, handle cash, and reconcile tills
• Manage social media content
• Complete referral documentation and general administrative tasks
• Maintain a courteous and professional manner with clients at all times

Requirements

• Proficiency with computer systems including Outlook, Word, OneDrive, and Excel
• Strong communication skills and professional telephone manner
• Enthusiasm for pet health and excellent customer service
• Previous reception experience preferred but not essential—training will be provided
• Driving licence preferred but not essential

Benefits

• Competitive salary up to £25,484.71 DOE
• 6.6 weeks annual leave
• Additional paid leave for your birthday
• Enhanced family-friendly policies: maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee wellbeing initiatives and non-accidental injury support
• Learning and development via the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pawsome Benefits: discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care

About the Practice

New Priory Vets operates three interconnected locations across Brighton: a flagship hospital in central Brighton providing comprehensive general practice services (medicine, surgery, radiography, ultrasound, dentistry, and nursing clinics), with on-site access to Brighton Veterinary Referrals for specialist support; Peacehaven Clinic delivering advanced general practice on the coast with access to Brighton’s facilities; and Beech House in Preston Park, a small first-opinion practice with referral pathways to the main hospital. The team includes veterinary surgeons, registered veterinary nurses, animal care assistants, and client care staff, led by a clinical director and practice director. Team wellbeing and work-life balance are priorities, enabling the practice to provide friendly, excellent care to many long-standing clients.

New Priory Vets is part of IVC Evidensia, a leading independent veterinary group operating practices across the UK and Ireland.