Medical receptionist vs patient care technician

The differences between medical receptionists and patient care technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a patient care technician has an average salary of $32,806, 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 patient care technician are patients, vital signs, and phlebotomy.

Medical receptionist vs patient care technician overview

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Care Technician
Yearly salary	$31,960	$32,806
Hourly rate	$15.37	$15.77
Growth rate	-8%	9%
Number of jobs	118,048	167,520
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Average age	49	34
Years of experience	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 patient care technician do?

Patient care technicians are medical workers who work in clinics, hospitals, or other medical facilities under the supervision of doctors or other health professionals. They provide assistance to health professionals and patients. They help patients with mobility concerns get into hospital beds, bathrooms, wheelchairs, and more. They also help patients with their physical therapy sessions and other physical needs. They handle patient concerns and communicate these to attending physicians. They may be assigned to administer basic medical procedures such as checking vital signs and collecting samples from patients, among others.

Medical receptionist vs patient care technician salary

Medical receptionists and patient care technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Care Technician
Average salary	$31,960	$32,806
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $24,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Rochester, NH
Highest paying state	Maine	Vermont
Best paying company	CENTER FOR SIGHT	Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Best paying industry	Health Care	Health Care

Differences between medical receptionist and patient care technician education

There are a few differences between a medical receptionist and a patient care technician in terms of educational background:

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Care Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	Bachelor's Degree, 27%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Nursing
Most common college	-	Emory University

Medical receptionist vs patient care technician demographics

Here are the differences between medical receptionists' and patient care technicians' demographics:

	Medical Receptionist	Patient Care Technician
Average age	49	34
Gender ratio	Male, 5.2% Female, 94.8%	Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0%
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, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	9%	15%

Differences between medical receptionist and patient care technician 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.

Patient care technician example responsibilities.

Manage care and prepare medical records, transcription and supply orders.
Manage daily care of high acuity patients with neurological trauma/disorders and post-surgery.
Qualify to perform patient care responsibilities on catheter patients.
Transport patients using wheelchairs and stretchers and assist patients to ambulate safely.
Assist with transferring patients in and out of wheelchairs, recliners, and stretchers.
Apply protective restraints safely and appropriately, assist in the admission, discharge and transfer of patients as needed.

Medical receptionist vs patient care technician skills

Common medical receptionist skills

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

Common patient care technician skills

Patients, 24%
Vital Signs, 9%
Phlebotomy, 7%
CPR, 6%
Direct Patient Care, 5%
Customer Service, 5%

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Medical Receptionist
Medical Receptionist vs Patient Care Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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