Central scheduler vs medical receptionist

The differences between central schedulers and medical receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a central scheduler and a medical receptionist. Additionally, a central scheduler has an average salary of $32,993, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

The top three skills for a central scheduler include patients, customer service and medical terminology. The most important skills for a medical receptionist are patients, customer service, and check-in.

Central scheduler vs medical receptionist overview

	Central Scheduler	Medical Receptionist
Yearly salary	$32,993	$31,960
Hourly rate	$15.86	$15.37
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	55,861	118,048
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Associate Degree, 28%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	2	2

What does a central scheduler do?

Central schedulers are professionals who are responsible for setting up all the appointments from various departments in a medical facility. These schedulers are required to receive incoming medical records of patients while contacting their families to schedule clinic appointments. They must contact the offices of physicians and various hospital personnel so that they can coordinate patient care with multiple health facilities and providers. Central schedulers must also facilitate phone calls from patients to schedule medical procedures.

What does a medical receptionist do?

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

Central scheduler vs medical receptionist salary

Central schedulers and medical receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Central Scheduler	Medical Receptionist
Average salary	$32,993	$31,960
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $40,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Portland, ME
Highest paying state	-	Maine
Best paying company	-	CENTER FOR SIGHT
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between central scheduler and medical receptionist education

There are a few differences between a central scheduler and a medical receptionist in terms of educational background:

	Central Scheduler	Medical Receptionist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Associate Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Health Care Administration
Most common college	-	-

Central scheduler vs medical receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between central schedulers' and medical receptionists' demographics:

	Central Scheduler	Medical Receptionist
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 8.9% Female, 91.1%	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 3.8% White, 70.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between central scheduler and medical receptionist duties and responsibilities

Central scheduler example responsibilities.

Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
Bill HMO's and commercial insurances.
Adjust medical providers' schedule templates within EMR software.
Check for correct CPt and ICD-10 matches to ensure correct billing.
Train new hires and cross-train current employees in two EMR software programs.
Check all physicians orders for correct CPT, ICD-10 codes, and prior authorizations.

Medical receptionist example responsibilities.

Conduct analysis to address long wait times which lead to faster triage, shorter wait times.
Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Greet and check-in patients, including obtaining accurate patient demographic information, patient registration, and checking insurance eligibility.
Learned and operate chiropractic equipment (decompression; Leander) & x-rays; enabling Dr to have more time for patients.
Resolve concerns of terminally ill patients with compassion and professionalism.
Identify patients' specific scheduling requirements while demonstrating care and compassion via telephone.

Central scheduler vs medical receptionist skills

Common central scheduler skills

Patients, 25%
Customer Service, 11%
Medical Terminology, 10%
Phone Calls, 4%
Patient Demographics, 4%
Patient Care, 3%

Common medical receptionist skills

Patients, 30%
Customer Service, 9%
Check-In, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Patient Care, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

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Central Scheduler
Central Scheduler vs Medical Receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

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