20 Things You Learn From Being a Veterinary Receptionist

Between the ages of fifteen and nineteen, I spent every holiday working as a receptionist at a mixed veterinary hospital. At the time I wanted to be a vet, and there is no doubt in my mind that it was this experience that got me a place at vet school (I decided not to go, but that's another story). I loved my time working there, and now as I have been applying for graduate positions I have come to realise that this job taught me many, many important lessons.

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1. People will treat you badly. As a receptionist you're basically the bottom of the bottom as far as some of your clients are concerned.

2. Being nice can and does pay off. Not always, but sometimes.

3. For example, one notoriously demanding client once told a vet that I was the only good receptionist (definitely not true). The reason? They once asked for a discount and I went and asked one of the partners, rather than just saying no.

4. If it smells like a dog has pooped the other side of the desk... A dog probably has pooped the other side of the desk.

5. Cake is always, always welcome.

6. Never underestimate the importance of offering your colleagues tea.

7. The scales in the waiting room are accurate. Deal with it.

8. Having a higher- paying job will make some people think that they are better than you.

9. There is a certain satisfaction in putting prescription stickers on drugs.

10. You will love some of your clients.

11. And some of the animals.

12. However, there's nothing like working at a vet centre to make you realise that the shortest pet life lived well is better than the longest lives that some animals endure.

13. Equine clients pay in cash. And often late.

14. You will know the basic dose rate and usage of every drug in the pharmacy. Even when the farmer asks for it using a name that was changed a decade ago.

15. People genuinely believe that the entire vet bill goes directly to the vet. Pointing out the lack of Lamborghinis in the car park will never show them the truth.

16. There is never an available pen, even though a drug rep brings a fresh batch about once a week.

17. You will recognise the voices of all of your principal clients. And know the life history of their animals (small and equine clients).

18. You learn to always, always have your colleagues' backs.

19. Puppies never stop being cute.

20. Farm clients will always ask you to fill out their cheques for them. After the first time you stop joking that you're writing it out to yourself.