Receptionist

About the Role

This is a temporary, fixed-term receptionist position covering holiday leave for approximately 7 months at Penmellyn Vets’ St. Columb Major Hospital. You’ll be working part-time on a shift pattern of 21 hours per week across 2 days, with a 1:4 weekend responsibility. Based in the heart of beautiful mid-Cornwall, you’ll join a busy, fast-paced six-site practice where the front-of-house team is central to delivering an exceptional client experience.

As the first point of contact for clients visiting the practice, you’ll play a crucial role in creating a warm, professional, and compassionate atmosphere from the moment they walk through the door. This is a role that rewards organisation, genuine friendliness, and the ability to juggle multiple priorities without losing your composure—or your smile.

Key Responsibilities

• Greeting clients with professionalism and warmth, setting the tone for their visit
• Managing the appointment diary and booking consultations efficiently
• Handling telephone and email enquiries promptly and professionally
• Supporting client communications and managing follow-ups
• Liaising between clients and clinical staff to ensure a smooth patient journey
• Contributing to the smooth day-to-day running of a busy practice across multiple team members

Requirements

• Excellent communication skills with a naturally welcoming and professional manner
• Experience in a customer-facing role, with strong attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a busy, fast-paced environment
• A collaborative team player who supports colleagues willingly
• Organised, proactive, and open to feedback and learning

Benefits

• 6.6 weeks’ annual leave, plus additional leave on your birthday
• Increasing annual leave accrued through length of service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, and surrogacy pay
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Learning and development opportunities through the IVC Evidensia Academy
• Pension scheme
• Discounted staff pet care
• Voluntary benefits—choose from a range of perks to suit your needs
• Access to discounts and cashback with hundreds of participating retailers

About the Practice

Penmellyn Vets is a six-site practice serving mid-Cornwall with a focus on small animal care. The St. Columb Major Hospital welcomes dogs, cats, small pets, and is exotic, rabbit, and chicken friendly. The practice is part of IVC Evidensia, the UK and Europe’s leading veterinary care group comprising over 900 practices and referral hospitals united by a shared purpose: happier animals, happier owners.

IVC Evidensia is committed to supporting career development without limits. The organisation invests in learning, innovation, and wellbeing to create environments where teams can grow in confidence, capability, and fulfilment at every stage of their career. You’ll benefit from clear career pathways with progression opportunities within client care and practice leadership roles, supported by experienced colleagues and a values-led culture focused on care, community, and continuous improvement.