How to become a veterinary receptionist

How to become a veterinary receptionistHealthcare careers are a hot ticket unterstellung daysbut thats not just human healthcare. The veterinary industry is also growing, with job openings in clinics and facilities that take care of our furry (and aquatic/scaly/feathered) friends. If you find yourself more drawn to animal patients than human patients, then becoming a veterinary receptionist could be a good option for your administrative career.What does a veterinary receptionist do?A veterinary receptionists job is pretty similar to fruchtwein receptionist jobs. These administrative professionals may be responsible for being the face of the veterinary amtsstube, handling the daily traffic in and out of the practice.A veterinary receptionists day-to-day responsibilities may includeAnswering phone callsScheduling appointmentsGreeting patients (and their humans)Arranging for follow-up careTaking patient informationUpdating and filing patient chartsAssisting with pet supply purchasesProc essing payments and insurance informationMaintaining the waiting roomVeterinary receptionists often work standard full-time hours, though nights and weekends may be required for emergency vets or animal hospitals that provide round-the-clock care.What skills do veterinary receptionists need?Veterinary receptionists need to have a combination of administrative skills and clinical knowledge, since theyre working in a medical environment.Skill with animalsThis is a must, given the nature of the daily work of a veterinary receptionist. You dont have to love all creatures great and small, but it helpsand being afraid of patients who come through the door can lead to more stress and unhappiness than you would want out of your job.Skill with peopleYes, animals are the patients, but they almost always come with humans in towhumans who may be nervous wrecks about their animal family members health concerns. Being friendly and customer service-oriented is a very helpful skill for veterinary r eceptionists to have, even when the focus is on the animals.Knowledge of medical/veterinary terminologyA veterinary receptionist should be well-versed in the medical terms and general knowledge that is specific to the vets office. The receptionist is often taking down preliminary information about a patients condition and recording it in a chart, so there needs to be a strong base of knowledge about pet care and animal medical needs.Organizational skillsDepending on the size of the veterinary practice, the receptionist may be the only front-line defense for the entire office. That means being able to organize all incoming information (like phone calls, messages, appointments, arriving patients, etc.) in a way that helps the practice run smoothly.Tech-savvinessLike any modern medical practice, a vets office increasingly relies on digital technology to make appointments, store patient information, and handle incoming calls. The veterinary receptionist should be able to tackle things l ike email, digital record management, and digital or multi-line phone systems in order to do the job efficiently.What do you need to become a veterinary receptionist?A high school degree is typically sufficient for this job, although some veterinary receptionists also have some schooling or degrees in an administrative or animal-related field. Direct experience working with animals is a major asset if youre looking for a job in this field.How much do veterinary receptionists make?According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, receptionists in general make a median annual salary of $27,920, or $13.42 per hour.Whats the outlook for veterinary receptionists?Receptionist jobs in general are expected to grow about 9% by 2026 (about average), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, healthcare-specific careers, including veterinary roles, are expected to grow at a much faster rate, so this specialty is expected to grow faster than average as well.One of the best things about a job in the healthcare industry is that you can find a niche for your interests and experience. And if youve always liked animals a little more than humans (its okay to admit that here), becoming a veterinary receptionist could be a great way to parlay your administrative skills into a job where you get to greet and pet dogs and cats every day.