Medical receptionist vs receptionist/customer service

The differences between medical receptionists and receptionist/customer services can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a medical receptionist, becoming a receptionist/customer service takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a medical receptionist has an average salary of $31,960, which is higher than the $30,604 average annual salary of a receptionist/customer service.

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

Medical receptionist vs receptionist/customer service overview

	Medical Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Yearly salary	$31,960	$30,604
Hourly rate	$15.37	$14.71
Growth rate	-8%	-4%
Number of jobs	118,048	216,587
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	High School Diploma, 35%
Average age	49	40
Years of experience	2	12

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 receptionist/customer service do?

Receptionists or customer service professionals are considered as the first contact point of the clients. They usually greet and welcome guests visiting an office or organization. These are employees who serve as administrative or office support. They take responsibility for digital communication. It is their job to coordinate the front desk activities such as redirecting phone calls and distributing correspondence. They should be equipped with skills like attention to detail, dependability, and communication skills.

Medical receptionist vs receptionist/customer service salary

Medical receptionists and receptionist/customer services have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Medical Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Average salary	$31,960	$30,604
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $38,000	Between $25,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Billerica, MA
Highest paying state	Maine	Minnesota
Best paying company	CENTER FOR SIGHT	Uline
Best paying industry	Health Care	Manufacturing

Differences between medical receptionist and receptionist/customer service education

There are a few differences between a medical receptionist and a receptionist/customer service in terms of educational background:

	Medical Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 28%	High School Diploma, 35%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Business
Most common college	-	-

Medical receptionist vs receptionist/customer service demographics

Here are the differences between medical receptionists' and receptionist/customer services' demographics:

	Medical Receptionist	Receptionist/Customer Service
Average age	49	40
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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 25.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	7%

Differences between medical receptionist and receptionist/customer service 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.

Receptionist/customer service example responsibilities.

Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Assist office management and staff with administrative projects/responsibilities such as managing time-sensitive projects, filing, copying, and collating materials.
Bill and collect from private pay, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance companies.
Doctor authorization for treatments, understanding of Medicare and Medicaid, prior authorizations (if need).
Resolve problems with the buyers concerning invoices that do not match in the AS400 system.
Receive and apply checks into AS400 accounting database and scan checks into bank, on a daily basis.

Medical receptionist vs receptionist/customer service skills

Common medical receptionist skills

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

Common receptionist/customer service skills

Customer Service, 16%
Phone Calls, 15%
Data Entry, 14%
Telephone Calls, 8%
Front Desk, 8%
Scheduling Appointments, 8%

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Medical Receptionist
Medical Receptionist vs Receptionist/Customer Service

Updated January 8, 2025

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