Medical Receptionist Job Description

Summary

A medical receptionist is the first person patients meet and the one who keeps the front of the office running. The role covers greeting patients, scheduling, check-in, payments and keeping records private.

Say what kind of practice it is and how busy the front desk gets. Candidates also want to know what software and insurance work are part of the day.

Use this page as a starting position description for a medical receptionist, front desk receptionist or patient coordinator. It covers the duties, skills and requirements, a sample post you can copy, and interview questions for the front desk.

Duties and responsibilities

• Greet patients warmly, check them in and collect the paperwork the office needs.
• Answer phones, schedule and confirm appointments, and manage cancellations.
• Verify insurance information and collect copays and payments.
• Keep patient records accurate and protect patient privacy at all times.
• Handle referrals, messages and calls between patients and the clinical team.
• Keep the waiting area neat and the schedule moving.
• Handle upset or anxious patients with patience and respect.

Skills and qualities

• Kind, calm and professional.
• Organized, with good attention to detail.
• Comfortable on the phone and at the computer.
• Respect for privacy and confidentiality.
• Able to handle several tasks at once.
• Clear, careful communication.

Typical requirements

• Earlier front-desk or customer service experience, or willingness to train.
• Comfort with computers, scheduling software and multiple phone lines.
• Training in patient privacy rules, which you provide at hire.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.

Requirements differ by state, city and employer. Check the licensing, age, safety and pay rules that apply to your business before you post. This page is a starting point, not legal advice.

Schedule and conditions

Most medical offices run regular daytime hours on weekdays, and some include evenings or Saturdays. Give the schedule, the lunch coverage plan and the number of days a week.

Say whether the job is full time or part time.

Nice to have

• Experience with the practice management or electronic records software you use.
• Experience with insurance verification and billing.
• A second language, if your patients need it.
• Earlier work in a medical or dental office.

Tips for posting this job

• Describe the practice and its patients.
• Name the software and systems used at the front desk.
• Give the hours and how coverage is shared.
• Explain how training works, including privacy training.
• State the dress code and whether you provide scrubs or uniform pieces.

Put your real pay, schedule and location in the posting. Candidates skip posts that leave them out.

Sample job post

Copy this, then change the words in brackets to match your business.

Interview questions for a medical receptionist

• Tell me about a time you helped an upset or anxious person at a front desk or on the phone.
• The phone is ringing, a patient is at the window and the doctor needs you. What do you do first?
• What scheduling or records software have you used?
• How would you explain a copay or a coverage question to a confused patient?
• What does keeping patient information private mean to you at the front desk?
• How do you keep track of details when the day gets busy?
• Which hours and days can you reliably work?

Ask every candidate the same questions so you can compare answers fairly. HRGP keeps your questions, notes and scores with each applicant.

Questions and answers