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What Is a Medical Receptionist and How to Become One

Medical Receptionist

What Are a Medical Receptionist Job Duties?

Medical Receptionists are the front desk workers at doctor’s offices, clinics, hospitals, and other health care facilities. They are responsible for checking in patients, ensuring health insurance and all information is updated, scheduling appointments, answering questions, and handling co-pays and billing. In addition to managing patient check-ins, they are also responsible for filing and organizing patient documentation.

How to Become a Medical Receptionist

Most entry-level Medical Receptionist jobs require a high school diploma or GED certificate and will usually provide in-office training. Employers may prefer candidates with knowledge of medical terminology and medical records. Some schools and community colleges offer programs for medical receptionists and secretaries.

Top 10 Skills Needed for Medical Receptionists

Do your skills line up with what hiring managers are looking for when they are reviewing resumes for a Medical Receptionist position? ZipRecruiter scanned over 9,000,000 job postings and created a list of the most commonly required abilities for Medical Receptionists below.

Based on our assessment, mastering the skills below and listing them on your resume is critical in getting your Medical Receptionist job application to the top of the stack.

  1. Receptionist Experience
  2. Scheduling
  3. Customer Service
  4. Healthcare Experience
  5. Communication Skills
  6. Electronic Medical Record
  7. Clinic Experience
  8. Data Entry
  9. Bilingual
  10. Attention to Detail

What Types of Medical Receptionist Jobs Are There?

Every health facility needs a Medical Receptionist. This includes facilities such as nursing homes, physicians’ offices, and hospitals. For job seekers looking for set office hours, a Medical Receptionist job in a daytime practice is key. Specialists such as Gynecologists or Optometrists will keep regular business hours and see scheduled patients throughout the day. Experienced Medical Receptionists and those that do not mind extended hours can find employment in hospitals or urgent care centers.

How much does a Medical Receptionist make in the US?

The salary of a Medical Receptionist in the United States can vary based on several factors including location, experience, education, the specific healthcare facility, and responsibilities associated with the position. On average, a Medical Receptionist in the US can expect to earn an annual salary ranging from around $25,000 to $40,000.

Medical Receptionist Job Description Sample

With this Medical Receptionist job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Medical Receptionist role.

Job Summary

Job Summary: We are seeking a friendly and organized Medical Receptionist to join our growing healthcare team. In this role, you will work at the front desk of our medical office and assist our patients and other visitors. Your primary job duties will include greeting and checking in patients, answering questions, collecting patient co-pays, processing paperwork, and scheduling appointments. You will also help keep our records and work areas clean and organized, as well as ensure our office provides a welcoming environment for our patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Greet patients and other visitors when they arrive
  • Answer patient questions and provide assistance when necessary
  • Distribute forms and paperwork to patients and check them over to ensure that required fields are completed properly
  • Collect co-pays
  • Field phone calls and respond to emails
  • Manage inventory of necessary office supplies and coordinate reordering

Requirements and Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Completion of a certificate program in the medical field preferred
  • 1+ years of experience working as an administrative assistant or in a relevant role
  • Familiar with medical terminology
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills

Medical Receptionist Job Description Sample

With this Medical Receptionist job description sample, you can get a good idea of what employers are looking for when hiring for this position. Remember, every employer is different and each will have unique qualifications when they hire for a Medical Receptionist role.

Job Summary

Job Summary: We are seeking a friendly and organized Medical Receptionist to join our growing healthcare team. In this role, you will work at the front desk of our medical office and assist our patients and other visitors. Your primary job duties will include greeting and checking in patients, answering questions, collecting patient co-pays, processing paperwork, and scheduling appointments. You will also help keep our records and work areas clean and organized, as well as ensure our office provides a welcoming environment for our patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Greet patients and other visitors when they arrive
  • Answer patient questions and provide assistance when necessary
  • Distribute forms and paperwork to patients and check them over to ensure that required fields are completed properly
  • Collect co-pays
  • Field phone calls and respond to emails
  • Manage inventory of necessary office supplies and coordinate reordering

Requirements and Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Completion of a certificate program in the medical field preferred
  • 1+ years of experience working as an administrative assistant or in a relevant role
  • Familiar with medical terminology
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills