What does a front desk administration do?

A front desk administration professional is responsible for performing administrative duties related to the front desk reception of an organization. This professional must assist in conferences and meetings as well as maintain inventory and costs for building and office supplies. The administration must coordinate front desk operations and maintain customer relationships by interacting with them in a professional and courteous manner. This professional must also handle phone calls and important documents by scanning and placing them in their designated files.
Front desk administration responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real front desk administration resumes:
- Use EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality.
- Used EMR software to manage patient records and files; reinforce and uphold patient confidentiality as required by HIPAA and clinic.
- Access and dispense medical records in compliance with HIPPA regulations.
- Process paperwork for patient's file in accordance with HIPPA laws.
- Assist patients in acquiring Medicaid coverage.
- Maintain patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information.
- Maintain stocking of materials and cleanliness, check-ins, telephone, registrations/reservations
- Lead associate sales and supervise associate returns and overall museum cleanliness.
- Register new patients and update existing patient demographics by collecting details including personal and financial information in person or by phone.
- Coordinate administrative activities, retrieving, organizing, and disseminating information to staff and patients assisting coworkers and reviewing incoming memos.
- Perform other clerical duties as needed, such as filing, photocopying, faxing and collating.
- Create new law files and performs other relate clerical duties such as photocopying, faxing, scanning, filing and collating.
- Process purchasing orders for vendors, A/R and A/P.
- Maintain postage records for USPS meter.
- Prepare healthy meal replacement protein smoothies
Front desk administration skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Front Desk Administrations are proficient in Patients, Phone Calls, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Writing skills, Interpersonal skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Front Desk Administrations that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 18%
Coordinated administrative activities, retrieving, organizing, and disseminating information to staff and patients assisting coworkers and reviewing incoming memos.
- Phone Calls, 9%
Provide general administrative duties answering phone calls, take notes to communicate information to appropriate personnel or department.
- Customer Service, 9%
Recognized and was awarded Certificate of Appreciation by the Department Head of Public Relations for delivering exceptional customer service.
- Front Desk Operations, 8%
Managed front desk operations interacting with customers in a professional and courteous manner.
- Data Entry, 7%
Separated funds by account and used systematic data entry techniques into databases to ensure accuracy.
- Telephone Calls, 4%
Received and directed telephone calls and relay conversations and pertinent messages to others while maintaining accuracy, clarity and confidentiality.
Common skills that a front desk administration uses to do their job include "patients," "phone calls," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important front desk administration responsibilities below.
Organizational skills. front desk administrations are also known for organizational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to front desk administration responsibilities, because "general office clerks file and retrieve records." A front desk administration resume example shows how organizational skills is used in the workplace: "maintain outstanding interpersonal, customer service, leadership, and organizational skills; thrive within detail-oriented, deadline-driven environments. "
Customer-service skills. Another crucial skill for a front desk administration to carry out their responsibilities is "customer-service skills." A big part of what front desk administrations relies on this skill, since "general office clerks often provide general information to company staff, customers, or the public." How this skill relates to front desk administration duties can be seen in an example from a front desk administration resume snippet: "ensured customer retention by appointment scheduling and appointment reminders through smile reminder platform. "
Detail oriented. Another skill commonly found on front desk administration job descriptions is "detail oriented." It can come up quite often in front desk administration duties, since "general office clerks perform many clerical tasks that require attention to detail, such as preparing bills." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day front desk administration responsibilities: "prepared new patient charts with full detailed information. "
The three companies that hire the most front desk administrations are:
- Marriott International30 front desk administrations jobs
- Planet Fitness12 front desk administrations jobs
- Jefferson Dental & Orthodontics7 front desk administrations jobs
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Front desk administration vs. Office receptionist
An office receptionist, or administrative assistant, performs various administrative tasks for an organization. These tasks may include answering phone calls, providing the public and customers with information, and warmly welcoming, greeting, and directing visitors or guests accordingly. Additionally, an office receptionist is responsible for maintaining security by issuing visitor badges, monitoring logbooks, and following procedures. Administrative assistants are also responsible for preparing and processing travel vouchers and other documents. Some employers prefer someone with a college or bachelor's degree, telephone skills, and excellent communication skills.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between front desk administrations and office receptionist. For instance, front desk administration responsibilities require skills such as "front desk operations," "administrative tasks," "credit card," and "provides administrative support." Whereas a office receptionist is skilled in "front desk," "office support," "greeting visitors," and "fax machines." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Office receptionists really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $34,162. Comparatively, front desk administrations tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $39,950.The education levels that office receptionists earn slightly differ from front desk administrations. In particular, office receptionists are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a front desk administration. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Front desk administration vs. Receptionist/billing clerk
A receptionist/billing clerk is responsible for performing administrative and clerical duties as needed to maintain a smooth flow of operations for the business. Receptionist/billing clerks process the customers' payment transactions, manage account payables, releasing invoices, and immediately resolve account discrepancies. A receptionist/billing clerk must have excellent communication and analytical skills, responding to customers' inquiries and concerns, escalating high-level complaints to the billing management. They should also maintain records of financial documentation for reference and reconciliation as needed.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that front desk administration responsibilities requires skills like "phone calls," "front desk operations," "hr," and "administrative tasks." But a receptionist/billing clerk might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "front desk," "insurance forms," "icd-9," and "fax machines."
On average, receptionist/billing clerks earn a lower salary than front desk administrations. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, receptionist/billing clerks earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $35,383. Whereas front desk administrations have higher pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $39,950.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Receptionist/billing clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than front desk administrations. In fact, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Front desk administration vs. Receptionist
Receptionists are employees assigned at the entrances or lobbies of offices. They welcome guests, check identification, issue visitor badges, attend to questions or inquiries, and direct guests to where they are supposed to go. They also receive general mail or packages, answer calls, and manage schedules. Receptionists perform various clerical or administrative functions as assigned by their supervisors. They should have good client relations skills.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, front desk administrations are more likely to have skills like "front desk operations," "administrative tasks," "payroll," and "hipaa." But a receptionist is more likely to have skills like "front desk," "greeting visitors," "collating," and "visitor badges."
Receptionists earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $31,030. Comparatively, front desk administrations have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $39,950.When it comes to education, receptionists tend to earn similar degree levels compared to front desk administrations. In fact, they're 1.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Front desk administration vs. Clerical associate
A clerical associate is someone who carries out administrative tasks. Clerical associates photocopy, distribute mail, put together mailings, send faxes, respond to emails, and type letters. The associate's order office supplies, convey messages to staff members, handle payroll, and manage conference rooms. They check records for information accuracy and policy and procedure conformity. It is part of their responsibilities to perform projects for patient care facilitation. Also, they provide support to the mental health clinic in terms of patient care and satisfaction survey distribution and collection.
Types of front desk administration
Updated January 8, 2025











