Receptionist - Evenings and Weekends

About the Role

This is a permanent reception role supporting Vets Now Newport's emergency and critical care service. You'll work a rotating schedule of evenings, nights, and weekend shifts, providing the first point of contact for worried pet owners during emergencies. Your warm, professional demeanor will help settle anxious clients while you manage appointments, handle payments, and keep the veterinary team updated on incoming patients and urgent situations.

Vets Now operates 60+ out-of-hours clinics and two 24/7 pet emergency hospitals across the UK, serving over 1700 veterinary practices. Newport is a busy ECC location where every call and conversation matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for emergency calls and in-person visits, answering calls and greeting clients with professionalism and empathy
• Book emergency appointments and manage the flow of clients through the clinic
• Handle financial transactions accurately and efficiently
• Provide the veterinary team with timely updates on patients en route and clients requiring assistance
• Manage administrative duties to ensure smooth clinic operations
• Act as a liaison between worried clients and veterinary professionals, offering reassurance and clear information

Requirements

• Strong communication and customer service skills, especially in high-pressure emergency situations
• Ability to remain calm and professional when dealing with distressed pet owners
• Reliable and flexible, able to commit to the rota pattern (see below)
• Comfortable handling financial transactions and administrative duties
• A genuine desire to support both animals and their owners during emergencies

Rota Pattern

• Week 1: Monday and Tuesday 16:00 to 00:00
• Week 2: Saturday and Sunday 08:00 to 16:00
• Week 3: Friday 16:00 to 00:00
• Share of bank holidays

Benefits

• 7 weeks pro rata annual leave
• Your birthday as a paid day off
• Cash Health Plan provided by Simply Health
• Vets Now For You reward gateway offering discounts and cashback with hundreds of retailers
• £780 CPD allowance pro rata
• 10 hours paid CPD hours annually pro rata
• Family-friendly policies including sick, maternity, paternity and adoption pay schemes
• UK Standard Pension contributions: 5% employee, 3% employer
• Up to 50% discounted staff pet care
• Paid volunteering days
• Death in service benefit of two times annual salary

About Vets Now Newport

Vets Now is the UK's leading provider of emergency pet care, renowned for delivering compassionate, expert treatment when pets need it most. The Newport clinic is part of a network of highly skilled emergency teams operating across 60+ locations and two dedicated 24/7 pet emergency hospitals. You'll be joining a supportive, professional environment where animal welfare and client care are the top priority.