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What does a pbx operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
What does a pbx operator do

A PBX operator is an individual who works in an office environment and is responsible for answering incoming calls and transferring calls to other individuals within the organization. PBX operators are required to provide excellent customer service and must handle basic questions of customers, such as hours of operation, directions, and direct phone numbers for individuals and departments. They should know how to use the private branch exchange switchboard that can include new connections for long-distance and transmit messages. PBX operators must also perform various tasks such as typing, checking, and recording information.

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Pbx operator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real pbx operator resumes:

  • Manage incoming calls from switchboard and delivery of accurate messages to appropriate individuals in timely manner
  • Process all guest reservations including guest follow up obtaining all necessary information and accurately entering it into computer system.
  • Utilize the features of the PBX consoles, headsets, telephones and other relate equipment.
  • Direct call to guest rooms, staff, or departments through the switchboard or PBX system.
  • Deliver patient messages, up holding HIPAA standards, and perform special projects assign by multiple departments.
  • Operate a multi-line telephone console system, alerting system and TDD system for the deaf and hearing-impair.
  • Operate a multi line telephone console system, alerting system and TDD system for the deaf and the hearing impair.
  • Handle a large volume of incoming emergency calls while dispatching emergency personnel, to include area police, fire and ems.
  • Maintain a high degree of accuracy and alertness in dispatching police vehicles to disorders and complaints in accordance with prescribe routines.
  • Maintain and protect HIPAA confidentiality and information.
  • Maintain alumni address databases, while soliciting donations to the university's alumni program.
  • Contact alumni to request donations and gifts for various areas and activities associate with university.
  • Process reservations and administer group and corporate accounts while maintaining daily alarms and reminders for guests.
  • Process incoming patients profile information and medical insurance information into database readying patients for arrival and departure.
  • Initiate hospital codes for safety and demonstrate effective verbal communication while directing incoming calls from patients and physicians.

Pbx operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 21% of PBX Operators are proficient in Customer Service, Patients, and Emergency Codes.

We break down the percentage of PBX Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 21%

    Provided outstanding customer service within a hospitality business setting and completed daily given business task.

  • Patients, 18%

    Initiated hospital codes for safety and demonstrated effective verbal communication while directing incoming calls from patients and physicians.

  • Emergency Codes, 7%

    Monitored fire and security alarms, radio dispatched engineering and security and communicated all emergency codes using overhead paging system.

  • Reservations, 6%

    Processed reservations and administered group and corporate accounts while maintaining daily alarms and reminders for guests.

  • Front Desk, 5%

    Represented a role model attitude for front desk agents while organizing and maintaining mandatory Hilton training initiatives.

  • Phone Calls, 5%

    Route emergency calls as appropriate Page individuals to inform them of telephone calls using paging and interoffice communication equipment.

"customer service," "patients," and "emergency codes" are among the most common skills that pbx operators use at work. You can find even more pbx operator responsibilities below, including:

All pbx operator skills

The three companies that hire the most pbx operators are:

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Compare different pbx operators

Pbx operator vs. Central communications specialist

A central communications specialist is in charge of overseeing the public and media relations of an organization. Although their duties may vary upon their company or industry of employment, it usually involves handling media requests and press releases, developing newsletters and press kits, facilitating communication lines with clients, and coordinating with media partners and advertising agencies. Moreover, in some companies, a central communications specialist may also participate in utilizing social media and other web platform strategies to raise brand awareness and public interest.

If we compare the average pbx operator annual salary with that of a central communications specialist, we find that central communications specialists typically earn a $11,141 higher salary than pbx operators make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both pbx operator and central communications specialist positions are skilled in customer service, computer system, and inbound calls.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between pbx operators and central communications specialist. For instance, pbx operator responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "emergency codes," "reservations," and "front desk." Whereas a central communications specialist is skilled in "data entry," "administrative tasks," "traffic flow," and "sops." This is part of what separates the two careers.

The education levels that central communications specialists earn slightly differ from pbx operators. In particular, central communications specialists are 2.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a pbx operator. Additionally, they're 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pbx operator vs. Answering service telephone operator

On average, answering service telephone operators earn a $5,302 higher salary than pbx operators a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both pbx operators and answering service telephone operators have skills such as "customer service," "emergency codes," and "two-way radio. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that pbx operator responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "reservations," "front desk," and "phone calls." But an answering service telephone operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "appointment scheduling," "place telephone calls," "public address systems," and "funeral homes."

Answering service telephone operators earn similar levels of education than pbx operators in general. They're 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pbx operator vs. Switchboard operator, receptionist

An average switchboard operator, receptionist eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of pbx operators. The difference in salaries amounts to switchboard operators, receptionist earning a $4,053 lower average salary than pbx operators.By looking over several pbx operators and switchboard operators, receptionist resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "front desk," and "telephone calls." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, pbx operators are more likely to have skills like "patients," "emergency codes," "reservations," and "phone calls." But a switchboard operator, receptionist is more likely to have skills like "greeting visitors," "data entry," "direct calls," and "clerical support."

Switchboard operators, receptionist earn the highest salary when working in the finance industry, where they receive an average salary of $28,656. Comparatively, pbx operators have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $30,607.Most switchboard operators, receptionist achieve a similar degree level compared to pbx operators. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Pbx operator vs. Switchboard operator supervisor

Switchboard operators supervisor average a higher salary than the annual salary of pbx operators. The difference is about $528 per year.While both pbx operators and switchboard operators supervisor complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, emergency codes, and front desk, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A pbx operator uses "patients," "reservations," "phone calls," and "emergency situations." Switchboard operators supervisor are more likely to have duties that require skills in "switchboard operators," "pbx," "payroll entry," and "phone directory. "In general, switchboard operators supervisor hold similar degree levels compared to pbx operators. Switchboard operators supervisor are 0.1% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of pbx operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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