Admitting clerk vs registration representative

The differences between admitting clerks and registration representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an admitting clerk, becoming a registration representative takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a registration representative has an average salary of $34,021, which is higher than the $31,833 average annual salary of an admitting clerk.

The top three skills for an admitting clerk include patients, customer service and medical terminology. The most important skills for a registration representative are patients, medical terminology, and patient care.

Admitting clerk vs registration representative overview

	Admitting Clerk	Registration Representative
Yearly salary	$31,833	$34,021
Hourly rate	$15.30	$16.36
Growth rate	-	-4%
Number of jobs	106,698	118,803
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age	42	40
Years of experience	2	4

What does an admitting clerk do?

The job of an admitting clerk is to register and admit patients to a hospital. Admitting clerks interview patients in getting the necessary financial and medical information for the admission. They verify the insurance of patients and make sure that their registration forms are accurately signed. Usually, they work on the medical profession and hospital front lines. They welcome and face customers and need to understand medicine. Also, they are expected to manage doctors, nurses, patients, and hospital policies.

What does a registration representative do?

In medical facilities, a registration representative serves as the patients' first point of contact in clinics and hospitals. They primarily greet patients, identify their needs, gather personal and medical information, and assist them in filling out forms. They must also handle admission and discharge procedures, process payments, arrange payment plans, and collect insurance information. Furthermore, as a registered representative, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.

Admitting clerk vs registration representative salary

Admitting clerks and registration representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Admitting Clerk	Registration Representative
Average salary	$31,833	$34,021
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $41,000	Between $26,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Boston, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	UMass Memorial Health
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between admitting clerk and registration representative education

There are a few differences between an admitting clerk and a registration representative in terms of educational background:

	Admitting Clerk	Registration Representative
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Admitting clerk vs registration representative demographics

Here are the differences between admitting clerks' and registration representatives' demographics:

	Admitting Clerk	Registration Representative
Average age	42	40
Gender ratio	Male, 9.3% Female, 90.7%	Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 4.5% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 21.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between admitting clerk and registration representative duties and responsibilities

Admitting clerk example responsibilities.

Manage confidential patient information according to HIPPA guidelines.
Assist patients with benefit verification, including Medicare and Medicaid.
Perform online verification of Medicaid and Medicare admissions to insure eligibility.
Schedule patients for special procedures and radiology exams, obtain prior authorizations and referrals.
Release medical records upon request and maintain confidentiality of patients information under HIPPA law.
Process paperwork for various departments including insurance, surgery, radiology, laboratory and the emergency room.

Registration representative example responsibilities.

Work with third party payer requirements including Medicare, Medicaid (AHCCCS), manage care plans, and commercial plans.
Manage and update demographic and insurance information, including authorizations and referrals, while demonstrating HIPPA confidentiality regulations.
Verify eligibility and insurance benefits for patients, including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance and workers' compensation.
Maintain patient privacy in accordance with HIPAA with a high level of professionalism, compassion, productivity, and accuracy.
Maintain proficient level of knowledge regarding Medicare requirements, HIPAA compliance and reimbursement criteria.
Complete registration process for inpatients, outpatients, and emergency patients accurately and efficiently in accordance with policies and procedures.

Admitting clerk vs registration representative skills

Common admitting clerk skills

Patients, 40%
Customer Service, 10%
Medical Terminology, 5%
Data Entry, 5%
Computer System, 3%
Phone Calls, 3%

Common registration representative skills

Patients, 25%
Medical Terminology, 10%
Patient Care, 6%
Customer Service, 6%
Health Insurance, 5%
Patient Registration, 4%

Admitting Clerk vs. similar jobs

Admitting Clerk related careers

Admitting Clerk related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Admitting Clerk
Admitting Clerk vs Registration Representative

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs