Medical receptionist vs medical scheduler

The differences between medical receptionists and medical schedulers 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 scheduler. Additionally, a medical scheduler has an average salary of $32,201, 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 scheduler are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Medical receptionist vs medical scheduler overview

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Scheduler
Yearly salary	$31,960	$32,201
Hourly rate	$15.37	$15.48
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	118,048	67,831
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Associate Degree, 30%
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 scheduler do?

A medical scheduler typically works with patients to coordinate appointment dates and times with health care professionals. Medical schedulers often work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and other medical practices. They perform other duties aside from managing patients' schedules that includes providing patients the information they need about the hospital and its policies, providing patient support, and handling and managing questions from patients. Medical schedulers also act as a link between patients, clinical staff, and referral sources.

Medical receptionist vs medical scheduler salary

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

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Scheduler
Average salary	$31,960	$32,201
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Maine	Washington
Best paying company	CENTER FOR SIGHT	Beacon Hill Staffing Group
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical receptionist and medical scheduler education

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

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Scheduler
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Associate Degree, 30%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Health Care Administration
Most common college	-	-

Medical receptionist vs medical scheduler demographics

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

	Medical Receptionist	Medical Scheduler
Average age	49	49
Gender ratio	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%	Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
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 scheduler 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.

Medical scheduler example responsibilities.

Manage patient pre-op responsibilities, and generate all necessary paperwork.
Schedule patients for any testing that is necessary including MRI's, EMG's and Doppler's.
Transcribe physician orders including schedule labs, testing and screening/specimens and occasionally transport patients to various location of the hospital.
Prepare class for transition techniques to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.
Perform basic medical assistant duties such as triage, vitals, administer IM injections.
Answer multiple phone lines simultaneously, schedule patient appointments, and interact with physicians and triage patient calls.

Medical receptionist vs medical scheduler skills

Common medical receptionist skills

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

Common medical scheduler skills

Patients, 29%
Customer Service, 15%
Medical Terminology, 6%
EMR, 5%
Data Entry, 3%
Insurance Verification, 3%

Medical Receptionist vs. similar jobs

Medical Receptionist related careers

Medical Receptionist related jobs

Medical Receptionist jobs by location

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Medical Receptionist
Medical Receptionist vs Medical Scheduler

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs