Central scheduler vs scheduling specialist

The differences between central schedulers and scheduling specialists 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 scheduling specialist. Additionally, a scheduling specialist has an average salary of $37,269, which is higher than the $32,993 average annual salary of a central scheduler.

The top three skills for a central scheduler include patients, customer service and medical terminology. The most important skills for a scheduling specialist are patients, medical terminology, and home health.

Central scheduler vs scheduling specialist overview

	Central Scheduler	Scheduling Specialist
Yearly salary	$32,993	$37,269
Hourly rate	$15.86	$17.92
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	55,861	73,381
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
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 scheduling specialist do?

A scheduling specialist is responsible for managing the department's meeting, conference, and event schedules, as well as negotiating with suppliers and third-party vendors for appointment and program needs. Scheduling specialists may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, especially on communicating with clients and informing them of meetings, and responding to their concerns and inquiries. A scheduling specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of the data processing procedures to maintain the organization's database, updating clients' information, and tracking business transactions.

Central scheduler vs scheduling specialist salary

Central schedulers and scheduling specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Central Scheduler	Scheduling Specialist
Average salary	$32,993	$37,269
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $40,000	Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Bristol-Myers Squibb
Best paying industry	-	Transportation

Differences between central scheduler and scheduling specialist education

There are a few differences between a central scheduler and a scheduling specialist in terms of educational background:

	Central Scheduler	Scheduling Specialist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 29%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Central scheduler vs scheduling specialist demographics

Here are the differences between central schedulers' and scheduling specialists' demographics:

	Central Scheduler	Scheduling Specialist
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 8.9% Female, 91.1%	Male, 23.9% Female, 76.1%
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 scheduling specialist 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.

Scheduling specialist example responsibilities.

Manage clinic visit schedules, rehabilitation conferences, medical exams, trial appearances, depositions, etc.
Treat all patients with compassion and dignity no matter what their socioeconomic status is.
Job entail becoming familiar with medical insurance carriers, which include Medicaid and Medicare programs.
Schedule patients for radiology procedures, including complicate scheduling for multiple exams in one patient visit.
Register patients into EMR system, ensuring accuracy when updating patient information, demographics and insurance.
Schedule outpatient appointment for radiology patients, verify insurance, obtain authorization from insurance companies for special procedures.

Central scheduler vs scheduling specialist skills

Common central scheduler skills

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

Common scheduling specialist skills

Patients, 25%
Medical Terminology, 8%
Home Health, 7%
Patient Care, 5%
Insurance Verification, 4%
Excellent Interpersonal, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Central Scheduler
Central Scheduler vs Scheduling Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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