biosecurity related to animals
Awareness of hygiene and bio-security measures when working with animals, including causes, transmission and prevention of diseases and use of policies, materials and equipment.
Veterinary receptionists provide reception and office/administrative support in a veterinary practice, scheduling appointments and receiving clients, sale and advice on animal related products, in accordance with national legislation.
Competences and skills
42 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 6 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
4 competencessafe work practices in a veterinary setting
Safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and working environment.
signs of animal illness
Physical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.
veterinary terminology
Spelling and meaning of commonly used terminology of veterinary terms.
Cross-sector
2 competencesanimal welfare
Universally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
green
animal welfare legislation
The legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.
- Scope note
- National and EU legislation relevant to occupation, regulatory body and codes of conduct. This may include . , health and safety, risk assessment requirements and codes of conduct, especially in the areas of animal welfare, health and public health, food and environmental safety in relation with clients.
Essential skills and competences 20 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesmaintain reception area
Organise and maintain the reception area, including hygiene, to keep up appearances for incoming guests and visitors.
receive veterinary clients and their animals for appointments
Receive veterinary clients, making sure that they and their animals are prepared for appointments.
Sector-specific
6 competencesapply animal hygiene practices
Plan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals, communicate site hygiene controls and protocols to others. Manage the safe disposal of waste according to destination and local regulations.
apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting
Apply safe work practices in a veterinary setting in order to identify hazards and associated risks so as to prevent accidents or incidents. This includes injury from animals, zoonotic diseases, chemicals, equipment and work environments.
maintain administrative records in the veterinary office
Create and maintain administrative records for activities such as appointments and sales in the veterinary office.'
manage animal biosecurity
Plan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working with animals, including recognising potential health issues and taking appropriate action, communicating site hygiene control measures and biosecurity procedures, as well as reporting to others.
manage veterinary practice waiting area
Manage the waiting area in a veterinary practice and ensure that both the clients' and the animals' needs are monitored and prioritised.
provide support to veterinary clients
Assist clients seeking veterinary treatment and during the provision of veterinary services. Aid clients with the care of their animals by demonstrating care techniques and use of veterinary products. Provide support during difficult situations.
- Scope note
- To include how to provide: emotional support to the client, demonstrate techniques, make recommendations on care and use of veterinary products.
Cross-sector
12 competencescommunicate by telephone
Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.
communicate with customers
Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
deal with challenging people
Work safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how to address them to promote personal safety and that of others.
handle customer complaints
Administer complaints and negative feedback from customers in order to address concerns and where applicable provide a quick service recovery.
handle veterinary emergencies
Handle unforeseen incidents concerning animals and circumstances which call for urgent action in an appropriate professional manner.
have computer literacy
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
digital
manage infection control in the facility
Implement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.
- Scope note
- Includes procedures such as hand washing, disinfection and proper skin care, universal hygiene precautions, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment, reporting and treatment of sharps injuries, and dealing with blood and body fluid spillages.
monitor the welfare of animals
Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
green
perform multiple tasks at the same time
Execute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.
process booking
Execute a booking of a place according to client's requirement in advance and issue all appropriate documents.
- Scope note
- Includes booking room in a hotel, seat in a plane etc. Does not necessarily include finalising payment, as the payment can be postponed or invoiced.
process payments
Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
use different communication channels
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Optional knowledge 3 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
3 competencesanatomy of animals
The study of animal body parts, their structure and dynamic relationships, on a level as demanded by the specific occupation.
animal behaviour
The natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.
physiology of animals
The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 13 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencesell veterinary materials
Provide information on and sell prescribed veterinary treatments and other animal-related products.
Sector-specific
8 competencescalculate rates per hours
Make simple calculations regarding the money that should be earned in relation to the number of hours worked.
collaborate with animal related professionals
Collaborate with veterinary and other animal related professionals through communication of animal details, case records and summary reports orally or via written or electronic transfer.
interview animal owners on animals' conditions
Ask questions appropriate to the setting and purpose, with the aim to elicit accurate information on the animal's health condition, in order to facilitate a correct diagnosis.
maintain stocks of veterinary materials
Maintain stocks of veterinary materials to ensure there is an adequate supply. Ensure appropriate storage, rotation and record keeping for veterinary materials.
maintain veterinary clinical records
Create and maintain clinical records for animals according to national regulatory requirements.
- Scope note
- Includes consultations, animal details, clinical measurements, communication with clients, prescription of pharmaceuticals, surgical and medical diagnostics and treatments, certification and monitoring of hospitalization records.
make decisions regarding the animal's welfare
Make a choice from several alternative possibilities that promote the animal's well-being.
manage a small-to-medium business
Manage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.
manage clinical environments
Ensure that clinical environments, including equipment and materials, are properly prepared and maintained for use. Prepare and maintain working environments and ensure that equipment and materials are available.'
Cross-sector
4 competencesaddress problems critically
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
apply numeracy skills
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
create solutions to problems
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.
handle financial transactions
Administer currencies, financial exchange activities, deposits as well as company and voucher payments. Prepare and manage guest accounts and take payments by cash, credit card and debit card.