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What does a clinic receptionist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

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.

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Clinic receptionist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real clinic receptionist resumes:

  • 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.
  • Enter and update patient information into electronics medical records (EMR) database, prepare chart paperwork.
  • Interview patients to obtain insurance information necessary for medical record and bill processing.
  • Maintain communications with physicians' offices and unit secretaries/nursing coordinator to ensure bed placement of direct admissions and in-patient surgery candidates.
  • Require knowledge of ICD and CPT for daily charge and pathology billing.
  • Process fee tickets for the daily batch, which include checking CPT codes, co-pays and diagnosis codes.
  • Manage Eaglesoft system thereby maximizing and balancing the calendar of appointments to drive practice revenue while maintaining optimal practice productivity.

Clinic receptionist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 31% of Clinic Receptionists are proficient in Patients, Customer Service, and Medical Terminology. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Technical skills, and Integrity.

We break down the percentage of Clinic Receptionists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 31%

    Register patients for Occupational Health Services and Convenient Care Verify Insurance and demographics Collect Co-payment and balance cash drawer

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Interacted with patients to keep positive environment and provide exceptional customer service.

  • Medical Terminology, 7%

    Received certificates in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and medical terminology.

  • Phone Calls, 7%

    Answered multiple incoming phone lines, took accurate messages and directed phone calls to staff or voice mailbox, as appropriate.

  • Appointment Scheduling, 5%

    Utilize the Epic Cadence IDX system for appointment scheduling and resolve scheduling conflicts.

  • Patient Appointments, 4%

    Scheduled patient appointments according to established protocols, performed data entry, and coordinated diagnostic imaging appointments.

Common skills that a clinic receptionist uses to do their job include "patients," "customer service," and "medical terminology." You can find details on the most important clinic receptionist responsibilities below.

Integrity. clinic receptionists are also known for integrity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to clinic receptionist responsibilities, because "receptionists may handle confidential data, especially in medical and legal offices." A clinic receptionist resume example shows how integrity is used in the workplace: "provided exceptional service as a trusted advisor who negotiated insurance benefits tailored to the specific needs of each client. "

Communication skills. For certain clinic receptionist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a clinic receptionist rely on this skill, as "receptionists must speak and write clearly when providing information and corresponding with customers." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what clinic receptionists do: "use electronic medical charting and hardcopy information to facilitate communication from patients to medical staff. "

Computer skills. Another common skill required for clinic receptionist responsibilities is "computer skills." This skill comes up in the duties of clinic receptionists all the time, as "receptionists should be adept at using computers." An excerpt from a real clinic receptionist resume shows how this skill is central to what a clinic receptionist does: "compile and record medical charts, reports, and correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer. "

Interpersonal skills. While "interpersonal skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to clinic receptionist responsibilities. Much of what a clinic receptionist does relies on this skill, seeing as "receptionists should be comfortable interacting with people in different types of situations." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of clinic receptionists: "required excellent interpersonal communication skills and an understanding of patient care, treatment, and medical terminology. "

See the full list of clinic receptionist skills

The three companies that hire the most clinic receptionists are:

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Compare different clinic receptionists

Clinic receptionist vs. 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. 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.

If we compare the average clinic receptionist annual salary with that of a front office clerk, we find that front office clerks typically earn a $596 lower salary than clinic receptionists make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both clinic receptionist and front office clerk positions are skilled in patients, customer service, and appointment scheduling.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between clinic receptionists and front office clerk. For instance, clinic receptionist responsibilities require skills such as "medical terminology," "phone calls," "compassion," and "pet." Whereas a front office clerk is skilled in "check-in," "emr," "hotel services," and "lab results." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Front office clerks earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $32,238. On the other hand, clinic receptionists are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $31,839.front office clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than clinic receptionists. In fact, front office clerks are 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Clinic receptionist vs. 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. Their duties and responsibilities include fielding telephone calls from patients, assessing patients' issues, and interacting with team members, medical personnel, and employees from other departments. Also, they are responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory and hospital requirements and maintaining quality service. Patient services coordinators must also ensure to maintain their technical knowledge by participating in personal networks, attending educational workshops, and reviewing professional publications.

A career as a patient service coordinator brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a clinic receptionist. In fact, patient service coordinators salary is $3,107 higher than the salary of clinic receptionists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Clinic receptionists and patient service coordinators both require similar skills like "patients," "customer service," and "medical terminology" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that clinic receptionist responsibilities requires skills like "appointment scheduling," "patient appointments," "compassion," and "pet." But a patient service coordinator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "check-in," "patient service," "home health," and "excellent organizational."

On average, patient service coordinators earn a higher salary than clinic receptionists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, patient service coordinators earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $35,469. Whereas clinic receptionists have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $31,839.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Patient service coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than clinic receptionists. In fact, they're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Clinic receptionist vs. Patient coordinator

A patient coordinator functions as the primary point of contact between health care professionals and patients in a medical facility. They mostly perform administrative tasks such as greeting visitors, answering calls, responding to inquiries, managing schedules, arranging appointments, processing payments, gathering information, and keeping records. Moreover, they assist in filling out forms, escorting patients to different rooms or offices, and setting treatment plans. Most importantly, they discuss and share necessary information with patients and families regarding medications, procedures, and proceeding care according to a physician's assessment.

An average patient coordinator eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of clinic receptionists. The difference in salaries amounts to patient coordinators earning a $1,307 higher average salary than clinic receptionists.Using the responsibilities included on clinic receptionists and patient coordinators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "patients," "customer service," and "medical terminology.rdquo;

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a clinic receptionist is likely to be skilled in "appointment scheduling," "word processing," "photocopying," and "lab reports," while a typical patient coordinator is skilled in "excellent organizational," "check-in," "patient satisfaction," and "taking care."

Patient coordinators earn the highest salary when working in the health care industry, where they receive an average salary of $33,131. Comparatively, clinic receptionists have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $31,839.When it comes to education, patient coordinators tend to earn similar degree levels compared to clinic receptionists. In fact, they're 1.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Clinic receptionist vs. Patient service associate

A patient service associate is responsible for providing high-quality care services to the patients, ensuring their satisfaction by assisting their medical needs and concerns. Patient service associates perform administrative duties, such as helping patients to fill-out forms, updating patients' information on the database, processing payments for medical procedures, storing patients' medical files, and monitoring the adequacy of medical tools and supplies. They may also conduct basic medical operations under the supervision of a physician or a health professional, adhering to strict protocols and regulations at all times to avoid hazards and health risks.

Patient service associates average a higher salary than the annual salary of clinic receptionists. The difference is about $345 per year.While both clinic receptionists and patient service associates complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like patients, customer service, and medical terminology, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between clinic receptionists and patient service associates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a clinic receptionist might have more use for skills like "appointment scheduling," "patient appointments," "office equipment," and "word processing." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of patient service associates require skills like "patient service," "excellent organizational," "allergies," and "patient rooms. "

In general, patient service associates earn the most working in the health care industry, with an average salary of $32,522. The highest-paying industry for a clinic receptionist is the education industry.The average resume of patient service associates showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to clinic receptionists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of clinic receptionist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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