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Receptionist: Victoria (Part time)
at Blue Cross For Pets London in London (Published at 21-08-2024)
Contract: Permanent, part time (3 days per week) Salary: £15,912 + £2,401 London Weighting Allowance per annum Location: Victoria, London, SW1V 1QQ Closing date: Tuesday 3 September 2024 Interview date: week commencing 9 September 2024 We’re excited to be recruiting a permanent part-time Receptionist for our Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London!
Our veterinary care services are accessible to pets whose owners receive certain means-tested benefits and reside within the catchment area of one of our animal hospitals or pet care clinics.
Our reception team play a key role in the effective delivery of our services and in ensuring the best outcome for our patients and their owners by providing the highest level of customer service. They are the link between our clients and the veterinary team and build relationships with clients, their pets, and all members of the hospital teams. As a Receptionist at our Blue Cross veterinary hospital, you will be the first point of contact for visitors and callers, ensuring a warm, compassionate, and friendly welcome that leaves a positive first impression.
In addition to providing excellent customer service, you will play a crucial role in offering administrative support and collaborating with our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Your warm and compassionate welcome sets the tone for all interactions at our hospital, contributing to the overall atmosphere of care and support. By providing administrative support, you ensure the smooth operation of our hospital, allowing our veterinary team to focus on delivering high-quality care to animals in need. What you will be doing
Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion.
We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help.
Pets change lives. We change theirs.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to recruit the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this.
At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are.
Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating a workplace where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities.
We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress – a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us.
If you would like to talk to us about any reasonable adjustments or changes to our recruitment process to support you to be your best, then please get in touch either via email at jobs@bluecross.org.uk, via telephone on 01993 825515 or if you would prefer a video call then we can arrange this using Microsoft Teams.
Our values
Our values define the way we do things. We use them every day to guide us, and to make sure we put people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Compassionate: We listen, we are non-judgmental, we are kind and caring to the pets and people we encounter, and we offer support in difficult times
Courageous: We make brave decisions, embrace change, and encourage innovation, ensuring we always act with integrity – doing the right thing even when no one is looking
Inclusive: We value all our relationships and work in an open and positive culture where we celebrate our diverse talents and empower you to be you
More about the role
Blue Cross animal hospitals and pet care clinics play a vital role in providing veterinary treatment to sick and injured pets, particularly when their owners are unable to afford private veterinary fees.Our veterinary care services are accessible to pets whose owners receive certain means-tested benefits and reside within the catchment area of one of our animal hospitals or pet care clinics.
Our reception team play a key role in the effective delivery of our services and in ensuring the best outcome for our patients and their owners by providing the highest level of customer service. They are the link between our clients and the veterinary team and build relationships with clients, their pets, and all members of the hospital teams. As a Receptionist at our Blue Cross veterinary hospital, you will be the first point of contact for visitors and callers, ensuring a warm, compassionate, and friendly welcome that leaves a positive first impression.
In addition to providing excellent customer service, you will play a crucial role in offering administrative support and collaborating with our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. Your warm and compassionate welcome sets the tone for all interactions at our hospital, contributing to the overall atmosphere of care and support. By providing administrative support, you ensure the smooth operation of our hospital, allowing our veterinary team to focus on delivering high-quality care to animals in need. What you will be doing
- Greet clients and visitors warmly, addressing inquiries both face-to-face and over the telephone.
- Keep clients and visitors informed while they wait in the reception area.
- Provide general advice on responsible pet ownership with support from the Veterinary Services team.
- Admitting and discharging hospitalised patients
- Dispensing medication, processing payments and booking appointments
- Making pre-operation calls to clients
- Triaging emergency phone calls to the hospital and assessing their priorities.
- Handle cash, credit card, and cheque payments from clients.
- Assess client eligibility and maintain accurate records.
- Provide administration support including database updates, filing, and adhering to GDPR regulations.
- Coordinate with other hospitals for the transportation of animals when necessary.
- Attend and actively participate in team meetings.
- Assist with deliveries of stock and conduct stocktakes.
- Support open days and event organisation.
- Maintain cleanliness in client areas, ensuring all Blue Cross materials are up-to-date and replenished within brand standards.
About you
You will have exceptional communication skills, prioritising client care and inclusivity while maintaining a positive outlook and adaptability to various situations. With strong numerical skills and meticulous attention to detail, you'll confidently provide effective administrator support within a dynamic reception environment. Working in an animal hospital can often involve supporting clients who are distressed. You will understand the importance of meeting their needs and be comfortable working in an emotionally charged environment. You will have the resilience to ‘bounce back’ quickly and the ability to keep calm under pressure, re-prioritising tasks where needed. Knowledge, skills, and experience- Experience of working in a busy customer service role.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
- IT literate with MS Office and web-based databases and platforms.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our Blue Cross values
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today. In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are. Our benefits package is designed to empower you every step of the way. From promoting your wellbeing to ensuring financial security and fostering professional growth, we've got you covered. Our generous benefits package includes:- Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
- Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
- Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
- Free physiotherapy advice and face to face intervention
- Health cash plan
- Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
- Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and Personal development support.
- Life assurance
- 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Recognition scheme
- Annual volunteer days
- Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
About Blue Cross
Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897.Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion.
We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help.
Pets change lives. We change theirs.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to recruit the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this.
At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are.
Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating a workplace where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities.
We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress – a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us.
If you would like to talk to us about any reasonable adjustments or changes to our recruitment process to support you to be your best, then please get in touch either via email at jobs@bluecross.org.uk, via telephone on 01993 825515 or if you would prefer a video call then we can arrange this using Microsoft Teams.
Our values
Our values define the way we do things. We use them every day to guide us, and to make sure we put people and pets at the heart of everything we do.
Compassionate: We listen, we are non-judgmental, we are kind and caring to the pets and people we encounter, and we offer support in difficult times
Courageous: We make brave decisions, embrace change, and encourage innovation, ensuring we always act with integrity – doing the right thing even when no one is looking
Inclusive: We value all our relationships and work in an open and positive culture where we celebrate our diverse talents and empower you to be you
Application Deadline
September 03, 2024
Department
Veterinary Services
Employment Type
Permanent
Location
Victoria animal hospital
Workplace type
Onsite
Compensation
£18,313 / year
Reporting To
Senior Receptionist
