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What does a Medical Receptionist do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A medical receptionist is responsible for greeting patients and visitors, answering phones, scheduling appointments, and verifying insurance information. They may also be responsible for collecting co-payments, maintaining medical records, and filing insurance claims.

Medical Receptionist job duties include:

  • Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff
  • Schedule appointments
  • Greet patients and visitors
  • Verify insurance coverage
  • Prepare patient charts
  • Update patient medical records
  • Collect co-payments and patient balances
  • Code and process insurance claims
  • Perform clerical duties as needed

Medical Receptionist Job Requirements

A Medical Receptionist typically needs at least a high school diploma, although some jobs may require postsecondary education, and must complete on-the-job training. Some employers may prefer candidates who have certification from a professional organization, such as the National Healthcare Association. Medical Receptionists should have previous experience working in a medical office or hospital setting. They should be familiar with medical terminology and have excellent customer service skills.

Medical Receptionist Skills

  • Answering phones
  • Scheduling appointments
  • Greeting patients
  • Updating patient records
  • Insurance billing
  • Collecting co-pays
  • Scanning documents
  • Filing paperwork
  • Ordering supplies
  • Assisting with minor procedures
  • Directing visitors

Related: Top Medical Receptionist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Medical Receptionist

A medical receptionist is the first point of contact for patients at a healthcare facility. They are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, and handling general inquiries. As the first point of contact, medical receptionists play an important role in creating a positive experience for patients. If you have strong customer service skills and are interested in working in the healthcare industry, becoming a medical receptionist may be a good fit for you.

Here are a few tips on how to become a medical receptionist:

1. Get a high school diploma or equivalent. While some employers may require postsecondary education, most will require at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

2. Complete on-the-job training. Many employers provide on-the-job training for medical receptionists. This training will teach you the specific skills and knowledge you need to perform your job effectively.

3. Consider certification. Although not required, certification may give you an edge when applying for jobs. The Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) credential is available through the American Medical Technologists (AMT). To earn this credential, you must pass an exam and have at least one year of experience working as a medical receptionist.

4. Stay up to date on industry changes. The healthcare industry is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up to date on new developments. One way to do this is to join professional organizations such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or the National Healthcare Association (NHA). These organizations offer educational resources and networking opportunities that can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Related: Medical Receptionist Resume Example

Related: Medical Receptionist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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