Job description

Job advert

Would you enjoy working with animals, while receiving great pay and benefits? Becoming a Veterinary Receptionist might be for you!

Here at the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospital, we are looking for an enthusiastic people to join our reception team. You will receive full training but experience in a fast-paced customer facing environment is required.

In this role you will carry out a range of reception and administration duties efficiently and effectively to support the clinical, nursing and administrative staff of the Small Animal Hospital. Tasks include, but are not limited to; managing a busy switchboard, booking referral appointments, communicating via email, over the phone and in person with clients, vets and nurses.

You will aid with any account and insurance queries that may arise and aim to resolve them accordingly. In addition, you will provide support to ensure that insurance claims are processed in a timely manner.

Salary offered is Grade 4 on the University of Glasgow scale, £24,685 - £26,707 per annum. Other benefits include:

* 35-hour working week (pro rata Monday – Sunday)

* 28 days leave

* 9 days public holidays and 4 other days (worked on a rotational basis)

* 20% discount on Veterinary products and services

* Fantastic working environment

* Access to 24 hr x 365-day confidential employee support service and a health & wellbeing app

* A range of benefits available to all University staff, including exclusive discounts from high street retailers (see website)

We currently have a full-time open-ended position available but will also consider part-time – please indicate your preference on application.

Our core hours are 8am to 8pm:

Full-time: Rotation between reception (12–8pm) and insurance/accounts support (typically 9–5pm). Includes 1:4 weekends with two midweek days off.

Part-time: Reception cover plus 1:4 weekends with two midweek days off.

Core hours for both posts - 8am to 8pm

Job Purpose

To be the first point of contact for clients and carry out a range of reception and administration duties to support the clinical, nursing, and administrative staff of the Small Animal Hospital.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Communicate with clients and referral vets via email, over the phone and in person. Answering queries, checking patients in/out and processing payments.
Greeting clients and their pets, explaining the hospitals policies and procedures, while displaying empathy, tact and diplomacy at all times.
Scheduling appointments and dealing with emergencies efficiently and professionally, ensuring that defined protocols are followed to ensure consistency of service.
Working a busy switchboard; transferring calls to the relevant person or department, making appointments over the phone, obtaining relevant information for emergency referrals.
Daily use of all Microsoft Office software, practice management system and Zoom calls/messaging.
Processing and handling of cheques, cash and credit cards in relation to client and insurance payments.
Ensure that balances are settled as promptly as possible. Completing insurance forms and maintain insurance database.
Use of initiative and judgement to resolve queries/problems independently with clients and/or insurance companies
Assist in the training of new staff and trainee veterinary nurses with regards to both reception and insurance standard protocols.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 SCQF level 4 or equivalent work-related experience

A2 Knowledge of Microsoft Office software

Desirable

B1 Knowledge of Veterinary/Medical terminology

Skills

Essential

C1 Accuracy and attention to detail

C2 Excellent IT, numeracy, and literacy skills

C3 Use of initiative and judgement to resolve problems independently and the ability to prioritise a busy workload

C4 Excellent organisational skills

C5 High standard of written and verbal communication skills

C6 Ability to work as part of a team

Experience

Essential

E1 Relevant experience in a similar customer facing role, such as hospitality, retail or call centre.

E2 Proven record of working in a fast-paced environment

Desirable

F1 Previous experience of working in a doctor, dentist, or veterinary surgery practice

F2 Experience with handling insurance claims

F3 Familiarity with working a busy switchboard

F4 Cash handling experience

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 4, £24,685 - £26,707 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

We currently have a full time open ended position available but will also consider part time – please indicate your preference on application.

Our core hours are 8am to 8pm:

Full-time: Rotation between reception (12–8pm) and insurance/accounts support (typically 9–5pm). Includes 1:4 weekends with two midweek days off.

Part-time: Reception cover plus 1:4 weekends with two midweek days off.

For informal enquiries, email laura.neil@glasgow.ac.uk

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

Closing date: 23:45 on Wednesday 4th March 2026