In a medical office, a medical receptionist is the person who greets patients, vendors, and medical and pharmaceutical sales representatives both in person and over the phone. His responsibilities may include both the front and back offices, depending on the work environment. He could work for a single private practice doctor or a group of doctors in a medical office or clinic.
Because the medical receptionist is frequently the first point of contact for new and returning patients, he is expected to be outgoing, compassionate, and friendly. In most cases, his job entails scheduling, verifying, and rescheduling appointments as needed. He is frequently called upon to resolve scheduling conflicts to the satisfaction of doctors and patients.
A medical receptionist is usually required to communicate via email and regular mail in addition to verbal communication. He is frequently required to obtain information from other doctors and insurance companies, as well as communicate with vendors, medical testing facilities, and hospitals. In most cases, the receptionist is expected to initiate communication to resolve insurance or billing issues.
A good working knowledge of computer hardware and software is expected of most medical receptionists. He is frequently required to write memos, office signs, and spreadsheets, as well as maintain patient information databases. All of these tasks necessitate the use of a variety of software applications as well as hardware peripherals like printers and external disc drives.
A medical receptionist’s job entails filing charts and other paperwork. Medical billing and filling out insurance paperwork for private and public carriers are common responsibilities. Keeping X-rays and lab reports in good working order is usually part of the job.
Some employees in this position, especially those in small offices, are expected to interact with vendors and suppliers on a regular basis. This communication is frequently required to keep track of office supplies and schedule maintenance and repair of office equipment like copiers and fax machines. If the office has a stockroom, the medical receptionist is usually in charge of keeping it clean and stocked with necessary supplies.
To apply for this position, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer two-year programs in medical assistance or medical reception, which are frequently offered by technical institutes and some colleges. Experience working in a medical or general office setting is preferred. Medical receptionist job applicants who are familiar with medical terminology, insurance billing procedures, or medical office software will have an advantage.