Medical Receptionist Jobs
What is a Medical Receptionist?
A medical receptionist (also known as a healthcare receptionist or clinic receptionist) is usually the first medical professional a person will see upon entering a doctor’s office or medical facility. This administrative position is part of a medical team in a healthcare setting.
There are a lot of moving parts in a busy medical practice. The medical receptionist is responsible for setting the cadence of the workflow and coordinating the movement of people and files. This requires keeping track of patients’ appointments and medical records, and making sure everyone on the team has what they need to begin patient care.
In some doctor’s offices or hospitals, medical receptionists may also be required to know and perform first aid and CPR. If there is a medical emergency in the lobby, the medical receptionist may be the first person to know about it. Therefore, it would be necessary to respond quickly.
What do People in Medical Receptionist Jobs Do?
Medical receptionists’ job duties consist of a wide variety of administrative tasks. In addition, face-to-face communication with patients and other people on the medical team is a major part of the job.
Administrative tasks for medical receptionists include answering phones, scheduling appointments, and calling patients to remind them of their appointments. Other tasks medical receptionists can expect to do are filing medical records and updating information in digital records. In addition, this role could be responsible for preparing documents like invoices, financial statements, letters, and reports.
The job of coordinating the workflow of the office also requires the medical receptionist to locate patient files and organize them for the day’s schedule.
Sometimes the medical receptionist’s day can be hectic. Often, multiple people need attention at once, and the person in this role will need to be able to prioritize tasks and work calmly under pressure.
Where do Medical Receptionists Work?
Some examples of where medical receptionists work are doctors’ offices, hospital inpatient units, hospital emergency departments, and walk-in clinics. This role in a dentist’s office is called a dental receptionist and has similar responsibilities and requirements. Because of the wide variety of facility types that require them, a medical receptionist could experience settings that range from hectic and fast-paced to slower, more moderate-paced.
The medical receptionist role is an office-based position and will likely be sitting at a reception desk. But in busy medical settings, the individual filling this role will likely spend a portion of the day standing and moving around the reception area.
What Degree is Required to Become a Medical Receptionist?
College degrees are not usually required to become a medical receptionist. In many places, a high school diploma is sufficient for this position. In more competitive areas, practices may require a certificate in medical administrative assistant, like the one offered by the National Healthcare Association. Certification as a medical secretary or in medical office technology may be required.
In addition, medical facilities that handle emergencies may require the medical receptionist to be certified in first aid and CPR.
While formal higher education is usually not required to become a medical receptionist, pursuing a college degree in a medical-related field will give an individual a competitive advantage and may assist with negotiating a higher salary.
How Much Money Does a Medical Receptionist Earn?
The average salary for a medical receptionist in the United States is $34,350 annually.
The pay rate can vary widely, depending on location, type of facility, and the individual’s education and experience level. The range is anywhere between $21,500 – $51,000.
Medical Receptionist Job Requirements
Job requirements for a medical receptionist can fluctuate a bit depending on the type and size of the medical facility. Required skills are equal parts clerical, person-centered, and task-related.
Clerical requirements for medical receptionists are proficiency with computer software like Microsoft Office and sophisticated phone systems. Medical receptionists are also required to have strong communication skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced office environment.
Being reliable, professional, courteous, and patient are personal qualities a medical receptionist should have. Sometimes job descriptions will list these qualities and others like them because they are crucial for this job. Medical receptionists must be skillful in dealing with people and handling stressful situations with calm confidence.
In some busy doctor’s offices and hospitals, the pace of the work environment is fast. The medical receptionist will be required to have the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and with excellence. In these settings, task management skills are important.
In addition to these job requirements, medical receptionists normally must be able to pass a background check, a drug screening and provide satisfactory references.
Medical Receptionist Career Path
A medical receptionist is often an entry-level role that can lead to more advanced career options. Once experience is gained working in a medical office environment, the next step a medical receptionist might consider is a practice manager. A medical practice manager oversees the administrative staff and general office staff and resources of the practice.
Personal preference and skill set strengths can influence the path an individual could take from the position of medical receptionist in his or her career. Other position options for career growth are patient finance manager, health insurance manager, or HR manager.
With further education, a medical receptionist can choose to advance in one of two directions in healthcare: 1) administration, 2) medical practitioner.
Medical administration includes overseeing the operations of a hospital or other medical care facility. Education and duties in this field are more advanced in all things required to manage the operations of the practice. This is the business side of the medical industry.
Medical practitioner means everything from nurses to physician assistants, phlebotomists, physicians, and medical specialists.
People who start their careers as medical receptionists are exposed to experiences and environments that could open doors to quick advancement in whichever direction they choose to go. The range of possibilities is wide and varied in the medical field, and all roles are in high demand.
Latest Medical Receptionist Jobs Listings
| Position | Company | Location | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant - Wellington (Full Time, Day shift) | Nicklaus Children's Health System | West Palm Beach, Florida US | 03/27/2024 |
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| Medical Assistant - Ortho (Full Time, Day shift) | Nicklaus Children's Health System | Miami, Florida US | 03/22/2024 |
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| Clinical Assistant, Health Services - Roger Williams University | Roger Williams University | Bristol, Rhode Island US | 03/21/2024 |
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| Medical Assistant/Receptionist | ADP | Elk Grove Village, Illinois US | 03/21/2024 |
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