Career Profile: Medical Receptionist

Nurse Anesthesiologist

See Available Medical Receptionist Schools

Job Description:

A medical receptionist is usually the one who welcomes the patients as they enter the healthcare facility or the physician's clinic. They are tasked to perform a number of administrative duties and routine tasks, which commonly involve the following:



  • Greet, entertain, and welcome patients
  • Answer phone calls, and schedule patient appointments
  • Gather personal, medical, and insurance information from the patients
  • Verify insurance claims
  • File, copy, and scan medical documents
  • Safe-keeping of patients' records

Most employers prefer medical receptionist applicants with the following qualities:

  • superb communication and interpersonal skills
  • above average computer skills
  • knowledge on basic medical terminology
  • good verbal and written skills
  • efficient data-entry skills
  • ability to multi-task
  • determined, hard-working, punctual, and reliable
  • must have good phone etiquette
  • with positive and professional attitude
Work Environment:

Work settings of medical receptionist professionals vary greatly. Some work in low-stress office environments, while others are employed in a hectic and fast-paced health care facility. But most medical receptionist professionals enjoy a well-lighted, clean, air-conditioned, and comfortable work setting. Medical receptionist professionals work in set hours, usually 40 hours a week, with minimal overtime requirement.

Education and Training Requirements:

Medical receptionist aspirants can acquire proper training from medical receptionist schools, community colleges, or technical schools. Coursework of medical receptionist aspirants normally include the following subject matters:

  • Medical office procedures and terminology
  • Data entry and machine transcription
  • Medical setting customer service
  • Medical office administration and human relations
  • Health Insurance and billing
  • Medical reception and record management
  • Business communication

Medical reception aspirants who are enrolled in certificate programs will gain the necessary skills and knowledge required for entry level positions. Meanwhile, medical receptionist professionals who have pursued higher degrees will have better chances of finding more lucrative job offers.

Salary Range:

The income range of medical receptionist professionals is greatly influenced by their years of experience. Here is a breakdown of the hourly rate of medical receptionist professionals based on work experience:

  • Entry-level Medical Receptionist Professionals - $8.52 - $12.33/hour
  • Experienced Medical Receptionist Professionals - $10.88 - $15.99/hour
Job Outlook:

Employment rate of medical receptionist professionals is expected to grow faster than the average. The increase on the demand for medical receptionist professionals spawned from the growing number of physician offices as well as other healthcare facilities.

If you want to pursue a rewarding career as medical receptionist, start your training today by browsing through our comprehensive list of medical receptionist schools!

View the featured schools in your state. Click a state below:

California / Colorado /Georgia /Illinois / Indiana / Maryland / Massachusetts /Missouri / Ohio / Oregon / Pennsylvania /Texas /Virginia/Washington /West Virginia /Canada
 California Schools
Everest College (Alhambra, Hayward, Los Angeles, Reseda, San Bernadino, San Jose) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Colorado Schools
Everest College (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Thornton) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Georgia Schools
Everest College (Dekalb, Marietta) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Illinois Schools
Everest College (Burr Ridge, Chicago, North Aurora) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Indiana Schools
Everest College (Merrillville) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Maryland Schools
Kaplan College (Hagerstown) - Medical Secretary/Assistant, Medical Billing/Coding, Medical Transcriptionist, Medical Receptionist
 Massachusetts Schools
Everest College (Brighton) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Missouri Schools
Everest College (Springfield) - Medical Office Assistant
 Ohio Schools
Everest College (Gahanna) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Oregon Schools
Everest College (Portland) - Receptionist/General Office Assistant
 Pennsylvania Schools
Everest College (Pittsburgh) - Medical Administrative Secretary
 Texas Schools
Everest College (Austin, San Antonio) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Virginia Schools
Everest College (Chesapeake, Newport News) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 Washington Schools
Everest College (Renton) - Medical Administrative Assistant
 West Virginia Schools
Everest College (Cross Lanes) - Medical Office Administrator
 Canada Schools
Everest College (Multiple Locations in ON) - Medical Office Administrator

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