What Does a Hospital Receptionist do? Salary, Requirements, Cost

A hospital receptionist is a key employee in any healthcare facility. They provide excellent customer service and assist patients with their needs. 

A receptionist typically works in a front desk area, greeting patients and helping them with their prescriptions or questions about the hospital. 

They may also handle insurance information or direct patients to the correct department. A receptionist must have excellent communication and organizational skills and knowledge of hospital policy.

This article provides relevant information about Hospital receptionists, their salary, cost, and the process of becoming a hospital receptionist.

Who is a Hospital Receptionist?

A hospital receptionist is a professional who helps patients and visitors get the most out of their stay. They answer questions, handle paperwork, and provide information about the hospital. 

Hospital receptionists typically have a degree in nursing or a related field, and many have certification in patient care. They must work well under pressure, be highly organized, and have excellent communication skills.

Is Hospital Reception a Good Career?

Yes, building a career as a hospital receptionist is good and rewarding. 

Usually, patients’ first interaction with a clinic is with the receptionist. The receptionist will serve as the practice’s voice and face, whether over the phone or in person.

This implies that the receptionist will contribute to shaping the clients’ perceptions of the practice and other medical departments, vendors, and professions.

Any business can benefit significantly from having a professional receptionist, and a medical receptionist frees doctors and nurses to focus on what they do best—treating patients. The value of a medical receptionist cannot be overstated.

​​Always have the answers to issues that arise at the most inconvenient times, medical receptionists. An excellent receptionist can think quickly, resolve problems, and give customers the impression that they are in good hands when handling challenging phone calls, processing medical accounts, soothing upset patients, and mending the copy machine.

A receptionist’s flexibility and capacity to change with the times are assets. The receptionist interacts with people across the entire organization and will become active in all departments, unlike most office workers who concentrate on their particular responsibilities and may not necessarily get involved in other parts of the business.

Read Also: 14 Best Hospitality Schools In The World 2024

What Does a Hospital Receptionist Do?

As a hospital receptionist in any medical organization, there are some roles and responsibilities you are expected to perform both on a regular and weekly basis. Some of these roles include:

• Attending to patients’ calls. These calls can come from doctors, patient’s family members, nurses, or medical staff. 
• Letting the staff or doctor on duty know patients’ arrival, social security numbers, and other relevant information about the patient.
• Another of a hospital receptionist’s sole responsibilities is offering medical staff administrative support and scheduling meetings when necessary.
• Then, attend to patients who want a session with a physician or doctor. They do this by screening and processing patients’ requests. 

• Also, handle patient medical information. 
• Communicate with insurance companies to verify coverage for services provided by the hospital or clinic.

What is a Hospital Receptionist’s Salary?

Just like other professional salaries, a Hospital receptionist’s salary varies. Typically, the salary range depends on location, work experience, organization, and qualifications. 

A medical receptionist’s median yearly compensation in 2024 was $33,996, according to salary.com. This is higher than the BLS annual pay of $31,110 for the category of receptionist in 2020. The BLS reports that receptionists employed in healthcare settings often make higher money than those employed in other sectors of the economy. 

The median hourly pay for receptionists in the hospital and social assistance sectors was $15.46, but the median hourly salary for receptionists in other contexts ranged from $15.09 to $12.91. 

You could have to work weekends and nights as a hospital receptionist because hospitals are open every day of the week and at all hours.

What are the Hospital Receptionist Job Requirements

To become a hospital receptionist in any medical organization or firm, you must meet some criteria. These criteria are grouped into education, Certifications, and work experiences.

Education: 

To get a hospital receptionist job, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some hospitals may prefer candidates having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in health care administration or a similar profession. 

When applying for jobs as hospital receptionist, receptionists with a background in healthcare or another relevant subject may have an advantage.

Work Experience: 

New employers often provide on-the-job training for hospital receptionists. The policies and practices of the hospital, computer applications, and patient registration procedures may all be covered during this training.

Licenses & Certifications: 

Hospital receptionist certifications are uncommon but not unheard of. Go after certification if it increases your chances of landing a job or a promotion.

What are the Required Hospital Receptionist Skills?

To succeed, hospital receptionists require the following abilities:

Hospital receptionists interact with patients, physicians, nurses, other hospital employees, and members of the general public. It takes good communication skills to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

Both verbally and in writing, hospital receptionists should be able to explain ideas effectively and succinctly.

Aside from this skill, a hospital receptionist’s other skills include the following:

Good Customer Service Skill

Hospital receptionists regularly speak with patients, guests, and other hospital staff members. For this position, it’s crucial to have good customer services abilities, such as active listening, empathy, and patience. You should know how to respond to queries, guide patients to the appropriate departments, and tell them about hospital policies.

Multitasking

Hospital receptionists frequently need to accomplish several responsibilities at once. They might take calls, welcome clients, complete paperwork, respond to inquiries, point clients in the proper direction, and more. Excellent multitasking abilities are necessary for this position to handle all duties on schedule.

Computer Knowledge

Hospital receptionists utilize computers to perform several functions, including making appointments, entering patient data, sending emails, and completing paperwork.

Pay close attention 

Hospital receptionists keep track of patient files, appointment schedules, and other crucial papers. Hospital receptionists must pay close attention to detail to ensure that all information is accurate and available when needed.

Workplace Conditions for Hospital Receptionists

Medical receptionists use different settings. Some people might work in public hospitals, while others might work in private ones. Every hospital front desk employee should know the following items from their workplace:

These professionals work indoors in an office used by medical staff and other receptionists.

An essential component of a hospital receptionist’s employment is using computers and phones.

The first thing patients see when they enter a hospital is their desk.

While some receptionists could work part-time during regular office hours, most work full-time. These professionals typically work nine to six, and obligations at work, they cannot do so.

Read Also: Medical Transcriptionist Job Description: Careers, Salary, Cost, Schools

Hospital Receptionist Trends

Hospital receptionists must know of these advancements to keep their knowledge current and maintain a competitive edge at work.

The Evolution of the Online Receptionist

In the business world, the advent of the virtual receptionist is a trend that is gaining popularity swiftly. This is because of its several advantages, including decreased costs and better productivity.

Hospital receptionists must learn to collaborate with virtual receptionists as more companies follow this trend. Hiring a virtual medical receptionist from a company specializing in the medical industry, such as My Mountain Mover, ensures your virtual receptionist has all the training and HIPAA compliance qualifications you need.

More Technology Use

Hospitals are increasingly using technology to enhance patient care and cut costs.

Receptionists must understand how to use technology as it becomes more common in hospitals. Learning how to use EMRs and other computer systems falls under this category. They must also be capable of offering customer assistance for these systems, which might be difficult if they need more familiarity.

Increased Attention to Patient Experience

The patient experience is becoming a bigger priority for hospital administrators as a strategy to boost general satisfaction. This implies that receptionists’ duties have expanded beyond only taking calls and guiding guests.

Receptionists must be capable of performing a variety of duties, such as extending courtesy, responding to inquiries, and guiding clients toward the resources they require. 

How to Become a Hospital Receptionist

You require a high school diploma or a GED to work as a hospital receptionist. Although it’s not widespread, some positions call for an administration-related associate’s or bachelor’s degree. 

Many of your tasks may be like those you performed as a receptionist. 

Still, you must take additional precautions to preserve privacy because you can access sensitive data. To keep that protection, you must abide by all HIPPA privacy requirements.

Once you have the education requirements and certification, create a professional CV. With a good CV, any hospital receptionist can quickly get a job. 

How Long Does it Take to Become a Hospital Receptionist?

To become a medical receptionist, it two to four years are usually needed. This is typically how long it takes to get the minimal training and work experience required to perform the responsibilities of this position.

Most positions call for a high school diploma or its equivalent as the minimum educational need for a position as a medical receptionist. At the same time, some employers prefer people with higher credentials.

What are the Qualities of a Good Hospital Receptionist?

Here are the hospital receptionist qualities:

Excellent Communicator

You must communicate well to work as an excellent medical receptionist. However, there are occasions when listening skills are just as important as what you say. For a competent medical receptionist, this is accurate.

One of the qualities of an excellent medical receptionist is the ability to listen to the patients and make them feel as though you understand their problems.

Organized: 

Everyone is okay with a receptionist who knows the location of critical documents or the phone number of the expert physician. An organized practice has an organized receptionist.

Multitasking and the capacity to function under pressure: 

A queue of people is forming, a patient needs assistance filling out a form, and the phone is ringing five times a row.

Amazing receptionists must maintain their composure under pressure and be able to switch between responsibilities.

Professionalism: As previously said, the receptionist serves as the company’s face and spokesperson. Therefore, a professional demeanor and attitude are essential if you are considering a job in medical administration. Confidentiality laws must be understood and adhered to for trust to be built throughout the clinic.

Upcoming Career Prospects

You have many career opportunities in the medical field if you work as a receptionist. The standard career paths for a receptionist are office manager, personal assistant, medical practice manager, or medical secretary.

Best Hospital Receptionist Schools

Here are the best schools for hospital reception programs:

Fox Valley Technical College

Address: 1825 N Bluemound Dr. Appleton, WI 54912-2277

First on our list of schools for hospital receptionists is Fox Valley Technical College. Fox Valley Technical College offers a unique program that prepares hospital receptionists for a career in the healthcare industry.

The program includes instruction in customer service, computer skills, and medical terminology. This combination of education and hands-on experience gives students the tools they need to succeed in various healthcare settings. 

The Fox Valley, Technical College Hospital Receptionist program is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).

This accreditation ensures that the curriculum meets national standards and assures students that their training will lead to a successful career. 

The Hospital Receptionist program at Fox Valley Technical College is perfect for those who want to enter the healthcare field but need to gain prior experience. The program is also ideal for people looking to update their skills or broaden their knowledge base.

Fvtc.edu

Bellingham Technical College

Address: 3028 Lindbergh Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225-1599

Bellingham Technical College has provided healthcare professionals for the community for over seventy years.

A recent addition to their hospital reception program is a two-year associate degree in medical reception. This program will provide students with the skills and knowledge to be successful in a healthcare setting. 

The program will begin with an eight-week summer session, followed by a twelve-week fall semester and a four-week winter session. 

Btc.edu

Read Also: How Can I Get A Diploma In Hospitality Management In 2024? Schools, Cost, Salary, Career

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Address: 620 W Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire,WI 54701-6162

​​Chippewa Valley Technical College is looking to improve its hospital reception program. The program would provide a way for students to prepare for a career in the medical field. 

The hospital reception program would be offered through the college’s Adult Education department. Students would be required to complete 18 credit hours, including courses in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, patient care, and communication skills. 

The college hopes this program will help increase the number of students who choose careers in the medical field. It also believes this program will give students valuable experience they can use when seeking employment after graduation.

Cvtc.edu

Clark College

Address: ​​1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663-3598

Clark College has provided excellent healthcare to its students since it was founded in 1878. The hospital reception program is one of the many ways that Clark College ensures its students receive the best care. 

The hospital reception program offers various services, such as medical screening and exams, diagnostics, treatments, etc. 

It is important to note that the hospital reception program is not just for Clark College students; it also provides care to residents of the surrounding community. 

In addition to providing quality care, the hospital reception program also helps to create long-term relationships with local hospitals. This means that when students need medical attention, they have a good chance of receiving it from a Clark College hospital.

Clark.edu

Gateway Technical College

Address: 3520 30th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144-1690

Next on our list of best Hospital reception schools is Gateway Technical College. Gate Technical College is a public, 2-year institution in Kenosha, WI.

Gateway Technical College program in hospital receptionist program has been designed to meet the needs of hospital receptionists who want to improve their skills and work in a challenging, fast-paced environment. 

The program offers an accredited degree with a focus on hospital receptionist services. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in the job market. 

The program is offered on a part-time basis, which gives students the flexibility to work while attending school. Gateway Technical College offers classes at its campus in Amherst, Massachusetts, or online. 

This specialized degree will give you the skills you need to be successful as a hospital receptionist. 

Gtc.edu

Metropolitan Community College Area

Address: 30 & Fort Street Omaha, NE 68111-1610

Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution of higher learning located in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska. The college offers a variety of programs and courses to meet the needs of its students. 

It provides an array of educational opportunities for those interested in healthcare, business, technology, and other fields.

Students can choose from various degree options, including associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The college also offers certificate programs and continuing education classes.

The college is committed to providing a comprehensive educational experience for its students. It offers various academic support services, such as tutoring, study groups, and library services.

The college also provides financial aid and scholarships to help students pay for their education.

Additionally, the college offers several extracurricular activities, such as sports teams, student government, and student organizations.

Mccneb.edu

Read Also: How To Become A Hospitality Manager In Less time | Program, Cost, Salary

Conclusion

A hospital receptionist is a professional who provides customer service and helps patients with their medical needs. They typically work in a busy setting, wearing uniforms and dealing with various patients. They must handle multiple tasks simultaneously, communicate effectively, and be patient when responding to patients.

Reference

• Indeed.com
• Climbtheladder.com
• Learn.org
• Ziprecruiter.com/

Recommendations

• How to Write a Receptionist Resume (Skills, Job Description, and Samples)
• Medical Transcriptionist Job Description: Careers, Salary, Cost, Schools
• 14 Best Hospitality Schools In The World 2024
• Top 15 Emergency Medicine Residency Programs In 2024 | Rankings, Programs, Requirements, Tuition
• 15 Bests Selling Hospitality Online Certifications | 2024
• What Does A Hospital Pharmacy Technician Do? Schools, Salary, Cost
• How To Become A Hospitality Manager In Less time | Program, Cost, Salary