Medical Office Receptionist Job Description

Medical Office Receptionist Job Description and Profile

The medical office receptionist assists in running, organizing, and maintaining the front desk of any medical facility. The receptionist must handle the paperwork, answer incoming calls, and input data in to the computer. The individual is the first contact between the patients and the physicians. He/she provides general information, replies to patient queries, or directs patients as required. The medical office receptionist must maintain updated data to provide relevant information to the doctors and the patients. Moreover, the receptionist is the first individual providing security by monitoring the inflow and outflow of people. Multitasking and people skills are important aspects of a medical office receptionist profile.

Medical Office Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities

• Checking patients for doctors’ appointments
• Handling incoming phone calls, and sending and receiving fax
• Providing guidance to patients
• Collecting and assisting patient information
• Receiving payments and maintaining these
• Overall responsibility of the happenings in the reception of the facility

Medical Office Receptionist Education, Training, and Qualifications

The individual must possess a high school diploma or GED as the minimum educational qualification. However, some employers require individuals with college certification programs offering medical receptionist or administrative training. The incumbent must be well versed with handling computers, telephones, and faxes. Knowledge on basic human anatomy, medical terminology, office procedures, and requirements of medical insurance are added qualifications that are preferred. Additional certification in billing, coding, and physiology is beneficial when looking for a career as a medical office receptionist.

Medical Office Receptionist Degrees, Courses, and Certifications

A high school diploma or equivalent from a local school is necessary. Additional certification courses that provide training on office duties, medical terminology, and health insurance are advantageous. College degree with a specializing in medical receptionist and administrator skills are available. An associate degree in clinical program offering knowledge on anatomy, physiology, phlebotomy, first aid, and other medical terms is optional. Basic computer knowledge of working with spreadsheets and word documents is necessary.

Medical Office Receptionist Skills and Specifications

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to answer calls and schedule appointments
• Collecting basic information for first-time patients
• Providing general information to patients
• Collecting the payments from patients and providing receipts
• Inputting payment information in the database
• Managing the reception area

Medical Office Receptionist Salary

The average rate of a medical office receptionist ranges from $9 to $15.5 per hour. Considering other benefits and overtime, the average salary for this job is between $19506 and $33608 per annum.