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Clinic receptionist vs front office clerk

The differences between clinic receptionists and front office clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a clinic receptionist and a front office clerk. Additionally, a clinic receptionist has an average salary of $31,647, which is higher than the $31,051 average annual salary of a front office clerk.

The top three skills for a clinic receptionist include patients, customer service and medical terminology. The most important skills for a front office clerk are patients, check-in, and data entry.

Clinic receptionist vs front office clerk overview

Clinic ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Yearly salary$31,647$31,051
Hourly rate$15.21$14.93
Growth rate--5%
Number of jobs93,243163,789
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 28%
Average age4247
Years of experience22

What does a clinic receptionist do?

A clinic receptionist is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties to support clinical operations and provide the highest quality care services for the patients within a health care facility. Clinic receptionists receive and respond to patients' inquiries and concerns, manage doctor appointments, and verify medical procedure schedules. They also handle the patients' information, organize files, and confirm the patients' insurance details on the database. A clinic receptionist coordinates with suppliers and vendors to ensure the adequacy of medical inventories and maintenance repairs of equipment and machinery.

What does a front office clerk do?

A front office clerk performs various administrative and secretarial duties, including welcoming and greeting clients and visitors, answering telephone calls, and managing the office budget. You will be responsible for monitoring, organizing, and forwarding emails and maintaining files and records. Other duties include following company policies and procedures, organizing transportation for guests, and handling and resolving guest complaints. In addition, you will also be responsible for invoicing and billing guests for their stay and used services.

Clinic receptionist vs front office clerk salary

Clinic receptionists and front office clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Clinic ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Average salary$31,647$31,051
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $37,000Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityOxnard, CAMinneapolis, MN
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyEmanate HealthLimbach
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between clinic receptionist and front office clerk education

There are a few differences between a clinic receptionist and a front office clerk in terms of educational background:

Clinic ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 28%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-University of Pennsylvania

Clinic receptionist vs front office clerk demographics

Here are the differences between clinic receptionists' and front office clerks' demographics:

Clinic ReceptionistFront Office Clerk
Average age4247
Gender ratioMale, 8.5% Female, 91.5%Male, 13.9% Female, 86.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between clinic receptionist and front office clerk duties and responsibilities

Clinic receptionist example responsibilities.

  • Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
  • Perform all assign tasks relate to admitting patients, discharging patients, laboratory, radiology, and respiratory services.
  • Schedule radiology exams for patients.
  • Schedule appointments, register new patients, update patient demographics, and provide comprehensive information.
  • Record physician orders on patients' charts in hospital MediTech computerize charting system.
  • Collect and verify patients' identity and insurance information and enter it into the MEDITECH system.
  • Show more

Front office clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage front office check-in, insurance verification and certifications from doctors.
  • Maintain a high knowledge level of regulations on the confidentiality of medical records (HIPAA).
  • Verify releases of information according to HIPPA regulations.
  • Maintain confidentiality of patient information; abiding by HIPPA guidelines.
  • Register all patients per registration protocols, schedule appointments, and provide appointment reminder calls.
  • Respond to routine technical questions regarding patients' right and responsibilities and medical eligibility for care.
  • Show more

Clinic receptionist vs front office clerk skills

Common clinic receptionist skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Medical Terminology, 7%
  • Phone Calls, 7%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 5%
  • Patient Appointments, 4%
Common front office clerk skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Check-In, 8%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Front Desk, 4%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 4%

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