Receptionist, Victoria Animal Hospital

**Contract: Permanent, full time**

**Salary: £26,208 plus £3,954 London Weighting Allowance per annum**

**Location: Victoria, London, SW1V 1QQ**

**Closing date: Friday 24 January 2025**

**Interview date: w/c commencing 3 February 2025**
- We’re excited to be recruiting a Receptionist for our Blue Cross animal hospital in Victoria, London 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.

More about the role
- 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.

**Working pattern**
- This is a full-time role working 42 hours per week on a rota basis including late shifts, weekends and bank holidays. Due to the nature of the work of Blue Cross, and this post, it may be necessary to exceed these hours when the workload demands.

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.

**How to apply**
- We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

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 the