Be the Friendly Face of a Trusted Local Practice

At Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery, we know that exceptional client care starts the moment someone walks through our doors or picks up the phone. We're looking for a warm, professional, and customer-focused Veterinary Receptionist to join our welcoming team in Carlow.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a busy environment, and takes pride in providing outstanding service. As the first point of contact for our clients, you'll play a vital role in creating a positive experience while supporting both pet owners and our dedicated clinical team.

Whether you're an experienced veterinary receptionist or have a strong background in customer service, healthcare, hospitality, or office administration, this role offers the chance to join a supportive team where your contribution is genuinely valued.

The Role: Fast-Paced, Varied & Rewarding

As a Veterinary Receptionist, no two days are quite the same. You'll be at the heart of the practice, helping to ensure the smooth running of daily operations while providing a professional and compassionate service to clients.

You'll manage appointments, answer telephone and email enquiries, process payments, maintain accurate client records, and support the wider veterinary team with a variety of administrative tasks. You'll often be supporting clients during stressful or emotional situations, so empathy, patience, and professionalism are essential qualities for success in this role.

We are looking for someone who enjoys interacting with people, can remain calm under pressure, and has the organisational skills to effectively manage a busy reception area while maintaining excellent attention to detail.

Working as part of a close-knit reception team of three, you'll collaborate with one other full-time receptionist and a part-time colleague to ensure clients receive an exceptional experience every time they contact the practice.

About Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery

Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery is a long-established mixed veterinary practice proudly serving Carlow and the surrounding communities. We have built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality veterinary care while maintaining the personal, community-focused approach that our clients value.

Our team consists of five Veterinary Surgeons, three Veterinary Nurses, and four dedicated administrative professionals who work closely together to provide outstanding care to both companion animals and farm clients.

Conveniently located just a short distance from Carlow town centre and close to local bus and rail services, the practice offers an accessible and welcoming workplace with a loyal client base and a friendly team atmosphere.

As part of IVC Evidensia, we benefit from the support, opportunities, and resources of one of Europe's leading veterinary groups while maintaining the local feel and close working relationships that make Oaklawns such a great place to work.

Why You'll Enjoy Working Here

At Oaklawns, you'll become part of a supportive and collaborative team that genuinely enjoys working together. We believe that great client care comes from happy, engaged employees, and we work hard to create a positive environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

This role offers an excellent balance of responsibility, teamwork, and customer interaction. You'll have the opportunity to develop your skills, build strong relationships with clients, and play an important role in helping pets and their owners receive the best possible experience at our practice.

Full training will be provided on our internal systems and processes, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a rewarding career within the veterinary industry.

About You

We're looking for a friendly, professional, and organised individual who enjoys helping people and delivering excellent customer service.

Previous receptionist or customer service experience is essential, ideally gained within a veterinary, healthcare, medical, or similar professional environment. However, we welcome applications from candidates with strong transferable customer-facing skills who are eager to learn.

You will have excellent spoken and written English, strong computer literacy, and confidence using systems such as Microsoft Office, email platforms, and appointment management software. Previous experience with practice management systems would be an advantage, although full training will be provided.

The ideal candidate will be reliable, trustworthy, and highly organised, with excellent attention to detail and the ability to prioritise effectively in a busy environment. Most importantly, you'll be compassionate, resilient, positive, and able to build strong relationships with clients, colleagues, and patients alike.

Working Pattern

This is a full-time permanent position working 42.5 hours per week across five days.

The working pattern is: Tuesday to Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm or 9:00am to 6:30pm, and Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm

You'll benefit from a one-hour unpaid lunch break each day.

There is no Sunday working, and only occasional Monday working may be required to provide holiday cover within the team.

Why Join Us?

We believe in supporting our people and providing an environment where they can thrive both personally and professionally.

Work-Life Balance & Wellbeing

*Annual leave entitlement

*Birthday leave

*Paid maternity, paternity and adoptive leave

*Paid bereavement leave

*Company sick pay

*Cycle to Work Scheme

*Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

*Wellbeing Centre access

*Free flu vaccinations

*No Sunday working

Career Development

*Ongoing training and development opportunities

*Career progression pathways across the IVC Evidensia network

*Leadership Academy programmes

*Annual performance and salary reviews

Additional Benefits

*Employer pension contributions

*Discounted veterinary fees for your pets

*Access to Pawesome Benefits retail and lifestyle discounts

*Opportunity to participate in company initiatives and colleague networks

*Supportive and collaborative team environment

Interested?

If you're looking for a role where you can combine excellent customer service skills with a genuine passion for helping people and animals, we'd love to hear from you.

Join Oaklawns Veterinary Surgery and become part of a friendly, dedicated team that makes a difference to pets, owners, and the local community every day.