Medical receptionist vs medical clerk

The differences between medical receptionists and medical 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 medical receptionist and a medical clerk. Additionally, a medical clerk has an average salary of $32,439, which is higher than the $31,960 average annual salary of a medical receptionist.

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

Medical receptionist vs medical clerk overview

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Clerk
Yearly salary	$31,960	$32,439
Hourly rate	$15.37	$15.60
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	118,048	166,322
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Average age	49	49
Years of experience	2	2

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.

What does a medical clerk do?

A medical clerk works in the administrative area of a medical facility or hospital. The medical clerk collects all patient information and medical records. The clerk also does all the clinic or hospital paperwork and generates reports of all transactions that transpired in a day's work. The medical clerk also processes admission and discharge papers, medical charts, properly file and safeguard all patient records and secure them from unauthorized access. The medical clerk is expected to be highly organized, capable of handling pressure, and has good communication skills.

Medical receptionist vs medical clerk salary

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

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Clerk
Average salary	$31,960	$32,439
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	Maine	Minnesota
Best paying company	CENTER FOR SIGHT	Brinks Gilson
Best paying industry	Health Care	Government

Differences between medical receptionist and medical clerk education

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

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Clerk
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 26%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	-	-

Medical receptionist vs medical clerk demographics

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

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Clerk
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%	Male, 15.5% Female, 84.5%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between medical receptionist and medical clerk duties and responsibilities

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.

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Medical clerk example responsibilities.

Evaluate all EOB's to insure accurate payment is received and when necessary will file appeals to achieve optimal payments.
Follow HIPPA patient confidentiality guidelines making patients or facility have filled proper forms to release records.
File results of laboratory tests, x-rays, EKG's, etc., in patients records.
Respond and resolve patient inquiries with compassion and patience.
Prepare request for EKG tests, eye examinations, audio and dental records.
Enter deficiencies into MediTech program.

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Medical receptionist vs medical clerk skills

Common medical receptionist skills

Patients, 30%
Customer Service, 9%
Check-In, 6%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Patient Care, 4%
Front Desk, 4%

Common medical clerk skills

Patients, 32%
Medical Terminology, 6%
Data Entry, 6%
Phone Calls, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Telephone Calls, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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