What does a call center operator do?

A call center operator is primarily in charge of handling inbound and outbound calls in a call center, aiming to provide clients with optimal support and service. They usually answer inbound calls from clients and assist them by answering inquiries, processing requests, and even handling issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently to ensure customer satisfaction. They also make outbound calls, reaching out to potential clients to offer products and services. They usually answer inquiries, discuss product specifications, arrange payment plans, and maintain records of all transactions.
Call center operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real call center operator resumes:
- Manage confidential documents and records with strict compliance to HIPAA.
- Manage patient's records and make sure they are protected under the HIPPA laws.
- Page all Dr's and staff when need.
- Comply with HIPAA regulations at all times.
- Create daily reports to monitor patient census, food allergies and nutritional plans.
- Oversee scheduling, re-scheduling, and input appointment information into the systems EMR.
- Assist customers place long distance calls, PBX, coin operate and credit calls.establish connections for residential and business phone service.
- Maintain patient files to ensure demographics are updated accordingly.
- Communicate with patients to receive their meal orders and provide guidance to facilitate adherence to dietary restrictions
- Maintain updated patients' records-document patient details including the treatments, demographics and personal facts while scheduling appointments.
- Demonstrate superb organizational and multitasking abilities
- Operate a multi-line phone -accept calls on behalf of different businesses (Dr. Offices, trucking companies, etc . )
- Develop graphs using AWT and applets.
- Access databases containing sensitive information while following HIPPA policies and procedures.
- Process and confirm pending DIRECTV customers account information, while providing exceptional customer service.
Call center operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 50% of Call Center Operators are proficient in Strong Customer Service, Patients, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Call Center Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Strong Customer Service, 50%
Surpassed Increasing Monthly Sales Targets * Symbolized Strong Customer Service Philosophy as Traveling Store Representative * Answering phone/handling transactions/setting and running appointments
- Patients, 10%
Maintained updated patients' records-documented patient details including the treatments, demographics and personal facts while scheduling appointments.
- Data Entry, 5%
Certified Customer Representative/Data Entry Specialist.
- Customer Service, 5%
Developed and managed nationwide delivery of training and development curricula to more than 1,000 customer service and telesales representatives and managers.
- Phone Calls, 4%
Answered, screened, all incoming telephone calls, specifically observing departmental courtesy policy and demonstrated professional conduct in performing duties.
- Telephone Calls, 3%
Received and directed telephone calls and relayed conversations and pertinent messages to others while maintaining accuracy, clarity and confidential.
"strong customer service," "patients," and "data entry" are among the most common skills that call center operators use at work. You can find even more call center operator responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a call center operator to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what call center operators do because "customer service representatives must be able to provide clear information in writing, by phone, or in person." Additionally, a call center operator resume shows how call center operators use communication skills: "gained strong customer service and communication skills"
Customer-service skills. call center operators are also known for customer-service skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to call center operator responsibilities, because "representatives help companies retain customers by professionally answering questions and helping to resolve complaints." A call center operator resume example shows how customer-service skills is used in the workplace: "apply personal ethics, honesty, initiative, flexibility, responsibility and confidentiality in carrying out customer support functions. "
Interpersonal skills. call center operator responsibilities often require "interpersonal skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "representatives should be able to create positive interactions with customers." This resume example shows what call center operators do with interpersonal skills on a typical day: "position required good interpersonal skills along with the ability to handle high volume of calls and data entry. "
Listening skills. Another crucial skill for a call center operator to carry out their responsibilities is "listening skills." A big part of what call center operators relies on this skill, since "representatives must listen carefully to ensure that they understand customers in order to assist them." How this skill relates to call center operator duties can be seen in an example from a call center operator resume snippet: "answered phones to provide assistance & solutions to customers-outbound calls to create business transparency- learned how to solve problems logically-empathize and listen"
Patience. Another skill commonly found on call center operator job descriptions is "patience." It can come up quite often in call center operator duties, since "representatives should be patient and polite, especially when interacting with dissatisfied customers." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day call center operator responsibilities: "have the ability and patience to support high call volume of inbound calls. "
The three companies that hire the most call center operators are:
- InfoCision
12 call center operators jobs
- Allied Universal
11 call center operators jobs
- Health First11 call center operators jobs
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Call center operator vs. Agent
Agents are individuals who are employed by their clients to represent them in various dealings. Agents are usually employed by people in the show business industry, such as actors, writers, or directors. They meet people who are interested in dealing with their clients. They listen to the plans and vision for the project and assess if the project fits their clients' interests or public image. In the case of agents whose clients are actors, they send their clients to auditions upon review of the project details. Agents are also responsible for negotiating terms on behalf of their clients, such as salary, royalties, and set benefits, among others. They also inform the project leaders of their clients' demands on set. Agents are expected to be business-savvy and good negotiators.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between call center operators and agent. For instance, call center operator responsibilities require skills such as "strong customer service," "patients," "data entry," and "phone calls." Whereas a agent is skilled in "insurance products," "life insurance," "hr," and "financial services." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that agents earn slightly differ from call center operators. In particular, agents are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a call center operator. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Call center operator vs. Order entry clerk
An Order Entry Clerk is primarily in charge of receiving and processing customer orders, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Upon receiving orders, an order entry clerk is responsible for entering customer information into databases such as names, billing details, address, and item specifications. They communicate with customers through calls or email to confirm their orders and information, answering inquiries should there be any. Besides handling databases, an Order Entry Clerk Prepares and processes shipping documents, invoices, and contracts, tracking procedures to ensure smooth workflow. Moreover, there are also instances where they must receive and handle customer complaints, resolving them promptly.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that call center operator responsibilities requires skills like "strong customer service," "patients," "data entry," and "phone calls." But an order entry clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "purchase orders," "data entry errors," "edi," and "sales orders."
Order entry clerks may earn a higher salary than call center operators, but order entry clerks earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,204. On the other hand, call center operators receive higher pay in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $33,331.In general, order entry clerks achieve similar levels of education than call center operators. They're 1.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Call center operator vs. Customer service representative
Customer service representatives are the first point of contact of the customers, acting as the frontiers of the company and help in driving customer loyalty and retention by leaving a great impression and resolving all of their concerns. They accommodate customer queries by providing useful and comprehensive information about any products or services. Some would use that as an opportunity to market and promote more sales. The most challenging issues they use to handle are customer complaints and processing of refunds and returns. They also assist in basic troubleshooting or accounts and payment setup with the use of specific guidelines or step by step procedures. At most, they help and solve customer issues on their own, but sometimes they would need support from supervisors or other departments.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a call center operator is likely to be skilled in "phone calls," "inbound calls," "emergency situations," and "emergency calls," while a typical customer service representative is skilled in "cleanliness," "pos," "sales floor," and "home health."
Customer service representatives earn the best pay in the insurance industry, where they command an average salary of $34,074. Call center operators earn the highest pay from the media industry, with an average salary of $33,331.When it comes to education, customer service representatives tend to earn similar degree levels compared to call center operators. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Call center operator vs. Representative
Representatives are lawmakers who represent the people in a specific district. They run for office to represent their districts in their hometown or their current place of living. Representatives are usually charismatic and good communicators. These characteristics are especially important during campaign and election periods. Representatives should be able to capture the hearts of the voters through their planned projects and advocacies. They are then elected by their constituents. Upon election, representatives author bills that will eventually be passed into law should it be approved by the majority of the congress. They also vote on the passage of bills authored by other representatives. They also participate in discussions and debates regarding different bills, issues, and laws. Representatives are expected to vote according to their conscience and in consideration of the voice of their constituents.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between call center operators and representatives, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a call center operator might have more use for skills like "strong customer service," "phone calls," "strong work ethic," and "emergency situations." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of representatives require skills like "cleanliness," "product knowledge," "sales floor," and "quality standards. "
Representatives enjoy the best pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $36,557. For comparison, call center operators earn the highest salary in the media industry.The average resume of representatives showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to call center operators. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.2%.Types of call center operator
Updated January 8, 2025











