How to hire a clinic receptionist

How to hire a clinic receptionist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step clinic receptionist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a clinic receptionist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new clinic receptionist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a clinic receptionist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your clinic receptionist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a clinic receptionist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A clinic receptionist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, clinic receptionists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of clinic receptionists and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Clinic Receptionist	Description	Hourly rate
   Clinic Receptionist	Receptionists perform administrative tasks, such as answering phones, receiving visitors, and providing general information about their organization to the public and customers.	$12-17
   Front Office Clerk	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... Show more	$12-17
   Patient Service Coordinator	Patient services coordinators act as a liaison between a healthcare organization and patients. Their primary job is to provide quality service to patients... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patients
   • Customer Service
   • Medical Terminology
   • Phone Calls
   • Appointment Scheduling
   • Patient Appointments
   • Office Equipment
   • Patient Care
   • Front Desk
   • Data Entry
   • PET
   • Computer System
   • Word Processing
   • Insurance Verification

   Check all skills

   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.

   More clinic receptionist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your clinic receptionist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A clinic receptionist salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, clinic receptionists' average salary in louisiana is 43% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level clinic receptionists earn 30% less than senior-level clinic receptionists.
   • Certifications. A clinic receptionist with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a clinic receptionist's salary.

   Average clinic receptionist salary

   $15.21hourly

   $31,647 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level clinic receptionist salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 29, 2025

   Average clinic receptionist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$37,489	$18
   2	Massachusetts	$36,654	$18
   3	Wisconsin	$36,185	$17
   4	Oregon	$35,549	$17
   5	Colorado	$33,024	$16
   6	Pennsylvania	$32,340	$16
   7	New Jersey	$32,315	$16
   8	Nevada	$31,817	$15
   9	Utah	$31,575	$15
   10	Illinois	$31,227	$15
   11	Iowa	$30,700	$15
   12	Ohio	$29,108	$14
   13	Tennessee	$28,426	$14
   14	Florida	$28,306	$14
   15	Texas	$27,364	$13
   16	Alabama	$24,702	$12

   Average clinic receptionist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Emanate Health	$37,332	$17.95	5
   2	Sycuan Casino Resort	$36,287	$17.45
   3	Yale University	$36,206	$17.41	5
   4	Fallon Health	$35,687	$17.16	4
   5	University of Pennsylvania	$35,541	$17.09	4
   6	PSEA	$34,880	$16.77	2
   7	El Centro Family Health	$34,705	$16.69	14
   8	Hawaii Pacific Health	$33,982	$16.34	44
   9	My.com	$33,971	$16.33	4
   10	Fostedale Inc.	$33,795	$16.25
   11	Blessing Hospital Emergency Room	$33,564	$16.14	10
   12	CITRUS VALLEY PHYSICIANS GROUP	$32,559	$15.65	3
   13	St. Peter's Health	$32,481	$15.62	4
   14	McLaren Health Care	$32,370	$15.56	55
   15	Banner Health	$32,250	$15.50	43
   16	Prime Healthcare	$32,188	$15.47	64
   17	Carson Tahoe Health	$32,109	$15.44
   18	Express Healthcare Professionals	$32,089	$15.43
   19	Lake Regional Health System	$32,062	$15.41	7
   20	Bothwell Regional Health Center	$32,048	$15.41	2

4. Writing a clinic receptionist job description

   A job description for a clinic receptionist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a clinic receptionist job description:

   Clinic receptionist job description example

   To assist the COVID-19 team by providing support to all administrative tasks including typing letters and reports, filing, scheduling appointments, phone messages, contacting patients, assist community and GTB members with information needed, and data entry. General duties of secretary/receptionist as assigned by Supervisor as needed.
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Must be punctual, self-starter, have good organizational skills and ability to work well with others. To work a regular schedule 8-5pm , Monday through Friday. To comply with all GTB policies and procedures. Answer daily incoming calls, prepare reports, enter data into RPMS and other relevant databases, monitor answering machines, schedule appointments, contact patients, provide information, direct visitors, GTB Members, clients, and guests to appropriate personnel. Assist in maintaining inventory of supplies. Become knowledgeable of all GTB service programs and make referrals as necessary. Assist in preparation of correspondence and reports for all programs, assist with mailings as requested. Be available for training to update skills and other skills necessary for growth of the position. Maintain highest level of confidentiality of all matters involved with GTB members, clients, staff and all related records. Other duties as assigned by your supervisor that relate to the overall coordination of events impacting the area.
   
   OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Must have good written and verbal communication skills Must have good time management and organizational skills. Must have good interpersonal skills with demonstrated patience, tact, and respect. Must have good detail and follow-up skills. Ability to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines. Work requires proficiency in computer literacy, preferably in Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook and other Microsoft office products and database applications.
   EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High School diploma, GED and 1 year experience in office administration
   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None
   EQUIPMENT TO BE USED Computers, Fax machines, modems, copiers, telephones, calculator, postage machine.
   TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS Physical demands are that one must be able to sit at the work station, use the computer, bend, stoop, stand while copying, some lifting and pushing may occur while filing, or relocating files, climbing stairs to retrieve stored files may occur. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. No unusual exertion required
   TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS Must work well in crisis situations.
   WORKING CONDITIONS The work environment is a one-story office building, handicap accessible and climate controlled. Culture and traditional ways may be practiced, but such observation is not mandated or always visible to non-Natives. Non traditional use of tobacco (smoking) is not permitted in the building. Designated smoking areas are outside. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
   COMMENTS Native American preference will apply. Must be willing and able to pass a background investigation and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy in regard to confidentiality is a must.
   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time. Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right clinic receptionist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with clinic receptionists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit clinic receptionists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your clinic receptionist job on Zippia to find and recruit clinic receptionist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with clinic receptionist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new clinic receptionist

   Once you've selected the best clinic receptionist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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