Post job

Scheduling specialist vs medical scheduler

The differences between scheduling specialists 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 scheduling specialist and a medical scheduler. Additionally, a scheduling specialist has an average salary of $37,269, which is higher than the $32,201 average annual salary of a medical scheduler.

The top three skills for a scheduling specialist include patients, medical terminology and home health. The most important skills for a medical scheduler are patients, customer service, and medical terminology.

Scheduling specialist vs medical scheduler overview

Scheduling SpecialistMedical Scheduler
Yearly salary$37,269$32,201
Hourly rate$17.92$15.48
Growth rate-8%-8%
Number of jobs73,38167,831
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 30%
Average age4949
Years of experience22

What does a scheduling specialist do?

A scheduling specialist is responsible for managing the department's meeting, conference, and event schedules, as well as negotiating with suppliers and third-party vendors for appointment and program needs. Scheduling specialists may also perform administrative and clerical duties as needed, especially on communicating with clients and informing them of meetings, and responding to their concerns and inquiries. A scheduling specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of the data processing procedures to maintain the organization's database, updating clients' information, and tracking business transactions.

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.

Scheduling specialist vs medical scheduler salary

Scheduling specialists and medical schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Scheduling SpecialistMedical Scheduler
Average salary$37,269$32,201
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $51,000Between $26,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew YorkWashington
Best paying companyBristol-Myers SquibbBeacon Hill Staffing Group
Best paying industryTransportationHealth Care

Differences between scheduling specialist and medical scheduler education

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

Scheduling SpecialistMedical Scheduler
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 30%
Most common majorBusinessHealth Care Administration
Most common college--

Scheduling specialist vs medical scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between scheduling specialists' and medical schedulers' demographics:

Scheduling SpecialistMedical Scheduler
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 23.9% Female, 76.1%Male, 8.0% Female, 92.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between scheduling specialist and medical scheduler duties and responsibilities

Scheduling specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage clinic visit schedules, rehabilitation conferences, medical exams, trial appearances, depositions, etc.
  • Treat all patients with compassion and dignity no matter what their socioeconomic status is.
  • Job entail becoming familiar with medical insurance carriers, which include Medicaid and Medicare programs.
  • Schedule patients for radiology procedures, including complicate scheduling for multiple exams in one patient visit.
  • Register patients into EMR system, ensuring accuracy when updating patient information, demographics and insurance.
  • Schedule outpatient appointment for radiology patients, verify insurance, obtain authorization from insurance companies for special procedures.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Scheduling specialist vs medical scheduler skills

Common scheduling specialist skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Medical Terminology, 8%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Insurance Verification, 4%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
Common medical scheduler skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Medical Terminology, 6%
  • EMR, 5%
  • Data Entry, 3%
  • Insurance Verification, 3%

Browse office and administrative jobs