What Does A Medical Receptionist Actually Do?

Being a medical receptionist is one of the most popular careers in Australia. Generally, this role is responsible for clerical and/or basic administrative tasks including welcoming visitors/patients, answering phone calls, responding to emails, and scheduling appointments with physicians.

As the job title imposes, you’ll find medical receptionists in a hospital, a physician’s clinic, a dental clinic or any other medical facility. This role is also referred to as a healthcare administrative professional or a medical assistant.

If you’re considering applying for this kind of job, we’ve listed some details below of what you can expect after you get hired. Ready to learn more about what a medical receptionist actually does? Stay with us and keep reading.

Job Responsibilities of a Medical Receptionist

Aside from the tasks we’ve mentioned above, medical receptionists are also responsible for the following:

• Welcome and politely attend to patients and visitors, whether scheduled or walk-in
• Collect patient information and record them for documentation purposes
• Answer phone calls, and respond to enquiries and/or email regarding the clinic schedule, physician’s information, etc. in a professional manner
• Keep the reception area presentable, neat and organised
• Facilitate the flow of check-ups or clinic appointments and coordinate changes in schedule to both the patients and the doctors or clinical staff
• Organise doctor and staff meetings
• Process billing and other clinic invoices
• Replenish medical office supplies and other medical inventory needs
• Keep medical equipment clean and sterilised
• Ensure the confidentiality of patient information by logging off the computer properly and by not allowing anyone to access the information
• Comfort distressed or panicking patients and/or relatives

Qualifications and/or Skills Required

Medical receptionists must have at least a high school diploma (completed year 12), and basic computer skills to ace this role. This is also why some students consider this role as a part-time job. However, knowledge of medical terminology is also required, and thus doing extra study can help.

We offer medical reception courses that can serve as the perfect entry point for anyone looking to land this role.

On top of the above, a medical receptionist also needs to have proper telephone etiquette, good customer service skills, multi-tasking abilities, and the willingness to learn as they embark on the journey.

Although having prior administrative experience is not always required, having knowledge about administrative procedures and other office tasks would also be an advantage. The courses we offer are also relatively short and can significantly fast track your chances of landing a medical reception role.

Salaries

According to PayScale Australia, a medical receptionist receives AU$38,953 – AU$56,077 per year. The median salary for this role is $44,440 as per the same source. However, the actual wages still vary depending on the nature of the medical facility, whether it’s a private clinic or a public hospital.

How To Land This Role

Based on the qualifications, anyone who has finished high school can submit a resume and apply for this role. But if you want to be the head (and not the tail) on the list of applicants, it’s best to show you’ve gone the extra mile by studying receptionist courses online.

Acquiring these skills before applying for the role will show your employer you have more skin in the game and are a better fit compared to other applicants. It can also genuinely help you better understand unfamiliar medical terminology and jargon, as well as the crucial processes in a medical facility which can make starting the role less overwhelming.

Most of the medical reception courses we offer also include first aid and medical emergency training which you can benefit from even outside the workplace.

Medical receptionists are highly organised and flexible people who have the heart to assist and make a difference in the medical field. If this role sounds like you, remember that equipping yourself is the best way to prepare for all the responsibilities mentioned above. Consequently, please don’t hesitate to send us an enquiry regarding any of our medical reception courses.

Enhancing your skills as a medical receptionist? Consider dental office administration courses to expand your career opportunities and deepen your healthcare expertise.

Hope this post has given you new insights regarding the role. All the best!