As I mentioned in my last blog post, I am currently employed at my veterinarian’s office. After searching all summer for a job, my mom called to inform me that two receptionists had resigned from the vet’s that day. My family has known our vet, Dr. Frosch*, since before I was born so he is a very close family friend. I called him immediately to inquire about the job and we set up a time for me to come and interview.
That was in early July. I filled out an application and interviewed with Dr. Frosch. He warned me that being a receptionist at a vet’s office is not like being a normal receptionist. I would be expected to perform the normal duties of a receptionist, which includes: dealing with all the patients in person and on the phone, filing paperwork, entering ever single detail about the client’s pets into the computer, and much more.
However, I would also be expected to fill medications, which includes: memorizing the medications, knowing where each of them are, remembering which medications have to go in baggies and which have to go in bottles, which medications are “controlled medicines” (in which case, they are kept in a lock box and we must remember to log each use of them), and informing the client how to administer each medication.
I would also need to clean. That includes handling and safely disposing used needles and items contaminated with blood or disease; cleaning and decontaminating reusable items that have come in contact with fecal matter; disinfecting all surface areas; taking care of animal hair, nails, etc.; and much more. One must keep in mind that animals do everything we humans do except vote and pay taxes. . . and as a vet receptionist I would be expected to clean, disinfect, and dispose of it all.
The hardest part, despite how complicated and/or disgusting the above things may be, is pretty obvious. It’s having to see animals hurting, dying, and being put to sleep. As a receptionist, we have to charge pet parents for euthanasia (putting the animal down). One must be both professional and empathetic.
In the end, none of the bad, complicated, dirty, sad, or stressful stuff can outweigh the reward of helping pets and reuniting them with their pet parents!
For more information about the responsibilities of a veterinarian receptionist, check out this article!
Interested in being a receptionist? Even if it’s not at a vet clinic, this article defines a receptionists and lists a lot of the duties of a receptionist.
Do you work at a vet’s office? Got in crazy stories? Share below!
* names have been changed
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