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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Veterinary Care Coordinator

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

Veterinary MedicineAnimal CareClinic OperationsClient ServicesAnimal Health Management

🎯 Role Definition

A Veterinary Care Coordinator manages and oversees the delivery of veterinary care services, ensuring the well-being of animal patients and supporting seamless operations within a clinic or hospital. This role includes coordinating appointments, managing patient records, facilitating communication between pet owners and veterinary staff, and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. Veterinary Care Coordinators are critical for improving client satisfaction and optimizing clinical workflows.


📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Veterinary Assistant
  • Animal Care Technician
  • Front Desk or Clinic Administrative Support

Advancement To:

  • Senior Veterinary Care Coordinator
  • Practice Manager
  • Veterinary Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Veterinary Client Services Specialist
  • Animal Health Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  1. Coordinate and schedule patient appointments, surgeries, and follow-up visits efficiently.
  2. Maintain accurate and comprehensive patient medical records, including vaccinations, treatments, and lab results.
  3. Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, providing guidance and education regarding pet health and care plans.
  4. Collaborate with veterinarians and clinical staff to ensure proper treatment and care for all patients.
  5. Oversee clinic operations, ensuring compliance with health, safety, and veterinary regulations.
  6. Monitor patient progress and communicate updates to pet owners in a timely and professional manner.
  7. Assist in developing individualized care plans based on patient medical history and veterinarian recommendations.
  8. Manage inventory of medical supplies, medications, and equipment to ensure clinic readiness.
  9. Facilitate the onboarding of new clients and patients, including consent forms and intake procedures.
  10. Support billing, invoicing, and payment processing related to veterinary services.
  11. Organize and track lab results, imaging reports, and referral documentation for internal review.
  12. Coordinate with specialty clinics, emergency hospitals, or referral veterinarians as needed.
  13. Educate clients on preventive care, nutrition, and post-treatment recovery protocols.
  14. Support telehealth or virtual consultations by preparing patient information and scheduling sessions.
  15. Ensure clinic adherence to infection control, biohazard handling, and safety protocols.
  16. Participate in staff meetings, continuing education, and quality improvement initiatives.
  17. Assist in preparing reports on clinic performance, patient outcomes, and client satisfaction metrics.
  18. Manage patient reminders, follow-up calls, and recall programs to ensure continuity of care.
  19. Support marketing and client engagement initiatives by promoting health programs or services.
  20. Address client concerns, complaints, or emergencies professionally, escalating when necessary.
  21. Maintain confidentiality and ethical handling of patient and client information.
  22. Facilitate smooth communication between clinical, administrative, and support teams.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with clinical teams to translate patient data into actionable insights.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within operational improvement projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and patient care protocols.
  • Experience with electronic medical records (EMR) or practice management software.
  • Understanding of clinic operations, scheduling, and workflow management.
  • Ability to manage inventory of medical supplies and medications.
  • Competence in basic medical procedures (vaccinations, lab sample handling, monitoring).
  • Familiarity with billing, invoicing, and payment processing.
  • Knowledge of client communication and education strategies.
  • Ability to generate reports and analyze clinic performance data.
  • Understanding of health and safety, infection control, and regulatory compliance.
  • Basic proficiency in telehealth and virtual consultation coordination.

Soft Skills

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
  • High attention to detail and accuracy in patient records.
  • Effective problem-solving and conflict resolution capabilities.
  • Customer-focused with empathy and professionalism.
  • Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced clinical environment.
  • Collaborative and team-oriented mindset.
  • Adaptable to changing priorities and emergency situations.
  • Strong decision-making and critical thinking skills.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Health, or Business Administration with veterinary focus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Veterinary Technology
  • Animal Science
  • Animal Health and Care
  • Business/Clinic Operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of experience in veterinary care coordination, clinic support, or animal healthcare operations.

Preferred:

  • Experience working directly with veterinarians and veterinary teams in a clinical setting.
  • Familiarity with client education, animal care protocols, and EMR systems.