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Medical internship vs medical receptionist

The differences between medical interns and medical receptionists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical internship, becoming a medical receptionist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a medical internship has an average salary of $50,843, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

The top three skills for a medical internship include patients, patient care and vital signs. The most important skills for a medical receptionist are patients, customer service, and check-in.

Medical internship vs medical receptionist overview

Medical InternshipMedical Receptionist
Yearly salary$50,843$31,960
Hourly rate$24.44$15.37
Growth rate16%-8%
Number of jobs127,692118,048
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 28%
Average age3749
Years of experience122

What does a medical internship do?

When it comes to a medical internship, one of the primary duties is to attend to the patients' needs while under a more experienced physician's supervision. During this period, the medical interns must rotate in various fields of specialties or departments for exposure. Aside from learning and observing, there are also instances when medical interns are required to produce necessary reports and documentation, communicate with patients and families, and take part in more challenging cases.

What does a medical receptionist do?

Medical receptionists are responsible for manning the front desk at a medical facility such as a clinic or a hospital. They manage schedules and appointments in the clinic or hospital. They help patients to their respective appointments. They also assist doctors, nurses, and other medical practitioners by ensuring that the schedule for the day is being followed. They are also in charge of assisting visitors by directing them wherever they would need to go. Medical receptionists also answer inquiries by patients or visitors. Medical knowledge, great customer service skills, and a friendly attitude are needed.

Medical internship vs medical receptionist salary

Medical interns and medical receptionists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical InternshipMedical Receptionist
Average salary$50,843$31,960
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $77,000Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAPortland, ME
Highest paying stateNew YorkMaine
Best paying companyTakeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc.CENTER FOR SIGHT
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between medical internship and medical receptionist education

There are a few differences between a medical internship and a medical receptionist in terms of educational background:

Medical InternshipMedical Receptionist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 39%Associate Degree, 28%
Most common majorHealth Care AdministrationHealth Care Administration
Most common college--

Medical internship vs medical receptionist demographics

Here are the differences between medical interns' and medical receptionists' demographics:

Medical InternshipMedical Receptionist
Average age3749
Gender ratioMale, 24.9% Female, 75.1%Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.2% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 Percentage6%9%

Differences between medical internship and medical receptionist duties and responsibilities

Medical internship example responsibilities.

  • Adhere to OSHA guidelines while performing instrument sterilization in addition to managing medical inventory.
  • Room patients, vitals, schedule, injections, clia waive tests, womb care ,
  • Learned how to triage patients and make sure they are ready for the doctor to see.
  • Organize and fill patient medical records, telephone triage, schedule appointments, and provide patient education.
  • Organize, prep, and assist patients in putting on heart monitors for EKG and heart rate readings in the lab.
  • Assist physicians in taking blood pressure, EKG, ultrasound, measuring heart beat and recording all vitals in physical examinations.
  • Show more

Medical receptionist example responsibilities.

  • Conduct analysis to address long wait times which lead to faster triage, shorter wait times.
  • Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
  • Greet and check-in patients, including obtaining accurate patient demographic information, patient registration, and checking insurance eligibility.
  • Learned and operate chiropractic equipment (decompression; Leander) & x-rays; enabling Dr to have more time for patients.
  • Resolve concerns of terminally ill patients with compassion and professionalism.
  • Identify patients' specific scheduling requirements while demonstrating care and compassion via telephone.
  • Show more

Medical internship vs medical receptionist skills

Common medical internship skills
  • Patients, 34%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Vital Signs, 6%
  • Surgical Procedures, 4%
  • Surgery, 4%
  • EKG, 3%
Common medical receptionist skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Check-In, 6%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Front Desk, 4%

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