What are the duties and responsibilities of a medical receptionist

Medical receptionists work in healthcare settings as administrative professionals. They interact with patients for many different reasons, such as scheduling appointments, responding to billing inquiries, or checking patients into a hospital, clinic, or laboratory for an appointment. Medical receptionists have a basic knowledge of medical terminology and understand healthcare procedures. They act as the link between people seeking medical care and healthcare providers.

Medical receptionists are also responsible for coordinating the daily administration of doctors, staff, and visitors at a healthcare facility. They are responsible for handling patient emergencies and monitoring stock and supplies. Does working in the medical field sound interesting to you? A position as a medical receptionist where attention to detail is essential might be the right role for you.

Sample job description #1

Job summary:

The Medical Receptionist is expected to undertake all receptionist and clerical duties at the front desk of our main entrance and is responsible for the first impression we make on all patients and visitors.

Job responsibilities:

• Greet patients and visitors in a courteous and friendly manner
• Assist patients with paperwork
• Verify patient demographics and insurance benefits
• Perform billing and bookkeeping functions including collecting cash payments, posting, and balancing daily sheets of transactions, and bank deposits
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic medical records
• Answer phone calls professionally and screen calls using provided guidelines
• Assist provider or supervisor in emergent situations
• Maintain clean office environment

Supervisory responsibility:

• This position has no supervisory responsibility

Work conditions:

• This job operates in a professional medical office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines
• Mon-Sun, 8am-8pm on a flexible scheduling basis (incl. weekends and holidays)
• May require overtime and travel, depending upon patient volume and clinic needs
• Sedentary, sitting for extended periods of time

Skills and qualifications:

• 1+ years of proven experience as receptionist, customer service representative or relevant position
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization
• Outstanding customer service focus
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet organization’s needs as well as effective problem solving skills
• Fast learner with general understanding of medical terminology and ethics of confidentiality/HIPAA
• Computer savvy with working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites, knowledge of EMR (eClinicalWorks) a plus

Education:

• High School Diploma or equivalent

Sample job description #2

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Welcome patients to the Health Center; ensure that all pre-exam information is up to date and accurate before appointments; collect co-payments; make sure that referrals are received
• Provide schedule support to providers
• Perform clerical duties as requested
• Provide information to patients/outside callers
• Record and deliver messages
• Answer, screen and route outside calls to the appropriate area or individual
• Conduct scheduling/reminder/re-scheduling phone calls to patients

Competencies: 

• Ability to interact with others with tact and diplomacy; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of status or position; contribute to a positive team spirit; balance team and individual responsibilities; display highest degree of professionalism and ethics
• Respond appropriately to patient needs; manage difficult or emotional patient situations in a way that instills trust and respect; solicit feedback to improve performance
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work well under pressure, complete tasks correctly and on time with limited supervision, step in when needed and cross train for additional site coverage, and respond promptly to requests for service and assistance
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one or small group situations, respond well to questions, and complete administrative duties accurately and timely
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts, solve practical problems, interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
• Punctual and reliable; ability to maintain schedule commitments

Essential skills and qualifications:

• High School or Equivalent
• Spanish speaking/bilingual is a plus
• Function in a busy office setting
• Manage difficult or emotional customer situations
• Respond to requests for service and assistance
• Support organization’s goals and values
• Flexible

Sample job description #3

Position purpose:

Our medical receptionists welcome patients for their appointments, schedule/reschedule appointments, and assist with taking patient vitals as needed. They are responsible for collecting payment at time of service and also assist in maintaining patient demographic records and financial accounts. We are looking for a highly detailed, customer service driven individual to join our growing practice.

Key responsibilities:

• Demonstrate regard for the dignity and respect of all patients, visitors, and staff
• Welcome all visitors in person and answers telephone promptly
• Keep patient appointments on schedule by notifying provider of patient’s arrival as needed
• Comfort patients by anticipating concerns and answering questions and help patients in distress by responding to emergencies
• Obtain revenue by recording and updating financial information at each appointment, record and collect patient balances, and update patient accounts
• Obtain changes in insurance and provide documentation and consistent communication to billing department
• Verify patient insurance benefits
• Responsible for office inventory, ordering supplies, verifying receipt of supplies, scheduling equipment service and repairs, and maintaining a clean and tidy reception area
• Protects patient rights by maintaining confidentiality of personal and financial information

Skills & qualifications:

• Minimum of a High School diploma
• 1-2 years in a medical setting
• Ability to set priorities and work with minimal supervision
• Excellent organization and communication skills
• Excellent telephone communication skills: must speak well, clearly, and pleasantly while projecting care and helpfulness
• Ability to handle stress calmly and be flexible to change
• Excellent computer and keyboarding skills
• Knowledge of medical insurance
• Ability to prioritize workload while being flexible to meet the expectations of daily operations

Average salary and compensation

The average salary for a medical receptionist is $45,900 per year in the United States. Salaries will vary based on market and employer size.

• What experience do you have interacting with patients and visitors?
• What role does a receptionist play in a customer’s first impression of an organization?
• Are you familiar with scheduling patient appointments?
• Have you maintained patient accounts? If so, what type of software system did you use?
• What computer and technology skills do you have? Which programs and platforms have you worked with?
• How familiar are you with medical terminology?
• How would you describe your organizational skills?
• What relevant training do you have?
• How would you handle a challenging patient? 
• Why is patient confidentiality important? 
• How would you ensure confidential patient information is kept safe?
• Do you enjoy interacting with people?
• Are you comfortable with debt collection calls?
• How many calls did you take on an average day in your last job?
• How do you organize your tasks for the day?
• How would you handle a patient emergency?
• Are you comfortable multitasking in a fast-paced work environment?
• How do you prioritize calls, clients, deliveries, and other immediate issues?