Medical Receptionist Career Overview

Answer 1

The work of a medical receptionist is vital to the medical practice, as they serve as the initial point of contact and are typically the first person that patients communicate with upon entering the clinic or doctor's office. A positive interaction with the medical receptionist often shapes the patient's first impressions of the facility and may play a role in patient retention.

Job Description

Answering phones and greeting patients when they enter the facility are the typical duties of a medical receptionist. They will often take messages and forward calls to other medical personnel. Medical receptionists will also check the patient in when they arrive for their appointment and schedule appointments for patients. This may involve cancelling appointments, rescheduling appointments and making phone calls to remind patients of their upcoming appointment.

Most medical receptionists will also handle medical records and gather them for the physician or nurse. They may also be in charge of making copies of prescriptions and faxing them to the appropriate pharmacy. Other possible duties of a medical receptionist include maintaining office supplies, updating patient demographic information, processing mail and maintaining the receptionist area.

Job Requirements

A high school diploma is the minimum requirement for a medical receptionist position, although many medical facilities will prefer candidates who have an Associate's degree. While previous experience as either a medical receptionist or within a medical setting is preferred, it is possible for candidates with no experience to gain entry into the medical receptionist field.

Medical receptionists must also be knowledgeable about medical terminology, be able to multi-task, possess superior computer skills and perform accurate data entry. A pleasant and positive personality in addition to exceptional interpersonal skills are also essential to the position. A certification in CPR may also be required for many medical receptionists.

Expected Salary

The rate of pay for this position is variable and often depends on the skills and experience level of the individual. Entry-level medical receptionists without previous experience can expect to receive an average of $9.00-$10.00 per hour. Medical receptionists with many years of experience typically receive $12.00-$15.00 an hour.