Kirsty Aherne
Margate,Kent
Summary
Highly organised and dedicated professional with experience in front-desk operations, administration, and veterinary/animal care.
Skilled in record-keeping, filing, telephone management, Microsoft Office, and email correspondence, with a strong focus on discretion and accuracy.
Confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, able to build positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and the public.
Experienced in animal care, including feeding, medication administration, surgical assistance, and post-operative support, with knowledge of zoo safety protocols and safe animal handling.
Adaptable and motivated, with a proactive approach to learning and professional development. Committed to supporting teams, maintaining high standards, and contributing positively to organisational goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work history
Receptionist & Administrator
Mockettswood NHS GP Surgery
Broadstairs , Kent
2023.10 - 2026.03
- Collaborated with doctors and healthcare professionals to support daily clinic operations, ensuring efficient patient care and smooth service delivery.
- Managed appointment scheduling and patient follow-ups using practice management software, improving clinic organisation and reducing administrative workload.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of medical records in line with data protection regulations while accurately handling sensitive documentation.
- Delivered professional front-desk and telephone support, welcoming patients, resolving complaints quickly, and maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction.
- Coordinated administrative tasks and monitored medical supply inventory, ensuring the clinic operated efficiently without delays or shortages.
Veterinary Care Assistant & Receptionist
DNA Vetcare, Kent
Deal, Kent
2022.03 - 2023.10
- Provided compassionate care to distressed and recovering animals, helping maintain a calm and safe clinical environment.
- Assisted veterinarians during surgical procedures and emergency treatments, supporting improved animal welfare and patient outcomes.
- Managed reception duties and appointment scheduling, ensuring smooth clinic operations and efficient patient flow.
- Maintained accurate patient records and monitored medical supply inventory, ensuring data accuracy and readiness for emergencies.
- Collaborated closely with veterinary staff on complex cases while caring for animals undergoing treatment or temporary boarding, minimising stress and promoting recovery.
Veterinarian Assistant
Cyprus Peyia Veterinary Clinic
Peyia , Cyprus
2016.01 - 2022.02
- Performed administrative duties and managed appointment scheduling, ensuring smooth clinic operations and efficient time management.
- Supported veterinarians during surgeries and emergency situations, preparing instruments, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with treatments to enhance animal welfare.
- Administered prescribed medications and provided post-operative care, promoting faster recovery and overall pet health.
- Maintained accurate patient records and updated files regularly, ensuring reliable documentation and compliance with clinic protocols.
- Built strong client relationships through compassionate service and effective communication, fostering trust and positive experiences for pet owners.
Parrot Trainer & Zoo Keeper
Phaphos Zoo
Peyia, Phaphos
2013.04 - 2016.01
- Ensured smooth zoo operations through effective coordination with multiple departments, maintaining safety and efficiency across daily activities.
- Supported veterinarians during medical procedures and monitored animal health, contributing to timely treatment and wellbeing of diverse species.
- Prepared species-specific diets and monitored behaviour, identifying early signs of distress or illness to promote optimal animal care.
- Trained new keepers and shared best practices, fostering team development and consistent high standards of animal welfare.
- Engaged visitors with informative talks and maintained clean, safe enclosures, enhancing public experience while upholding strict hygiene and safety standards.
Education
CPD Certificate - Exotic Avian and Reptile Healthcare
In-house training
Paphos National Diploma - Media Studies Distinction
Canterbury College
Canterbury, KentGCSEs - Drama – B, English – B, Media Studies – C, Science – B, Maths – C
Charles Dickens School
Broadstairs, KentSkills
- Front desk security protocols
- Filing system design
- Telephone operation
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Email correspondence
- Organisational efficiency
- Keyboard typing speed
- Customer Service
- Calm under pressure
- Attention to Detail
- Strategic planning
- Data Entry
- Microsoft Office
- Excellent telephone manner
- Customer and client relations
- Therapeutic feeding
- Clinical procedure support
- Intravenous injection administration
- Knowledge of zoonotic diseases
- Bandaging and wrapping
- Basic surgical assistance
- Emergency care readiness
- Laboratory sample processing
- Understanding veterinary pharmacology
- Surgical assistance proficiency
- Surgical equipment sterilisation
- Parasite identification and control
- Animal behaviour understanding
- Medication and vaccination administration
- Animal welfare advocacy
- Medication Administration
- Radiography procedures
- Euthanasia procedures
- Patient recovery monitoring
- Subcutaneous fluid administration
- Biohazard disposal
- Blood drawing expertise
- Parasite control methods
- Intravenous therapy application
- Post-Operation rehabilitation
- Zoo safety protocols
- Public education and outreach
- Zoological enclosure maintenance
- Public speaking fluency
- Animal training aptitude
- Safe animal handling
- Habitat maintenance
- Health assessment
- Equipment operation
- Record-keeping
References
References available upon request.
Accomplishments
- Established a specialised bird-care business, demonstrating initiative, entrepreneurship, and strong organisational skills.
- Delivered daily husbandry, enrichment, behavioural training, and welfare monitoring for a variety of companion birds.
- Educated clients on nutrition, enrichment, and behavioural cycles to support long-term bird welfare.
- Assisted owners with behavioural challenges and health monitoring, advising on veterinary care when needed.
- Built a trusted client base through professionalism, reliability, and high-quality, compassionate care.
Achievement – Founder, Independent Avian Care Service
Timeline
Receptionist & Administrator
Mockettswood NHS GP Surgery
2023.10 - 2026.03
Veterinary Care Assistant & Receptionist
DNA Vetcare, Kent
2022.03 - 2023.10
Veterinarian Assistant
Cyprus Peyia Veterinary Clinic
2016.01 - 2022.02
Parrot Trainer & Zoo Keeper
Phaphos Zoo
2013.04 - 2016.01
CPD Certificate - Exotic Avian and Reptile Healthcare
In-house training
National Diploma - Media Studies Distinction
Canterbury College
GCSEs - Drama – B, English – B, Media Studies – C, Science – B, Maths – C
Charles Dickens School