What Does a Medical Receptionist Do?
A medical receptionist serves as the first point of contact for patients entering a healthcare facility, combining administrative duties with strong interpersonal communication to support both patient experience and office efficiency. These professionals handle front-desk responsibilities such as scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, answering phones, and managing patient intake processes. In many practices, they also assist with electronic health record (EHR) updates, billing support, and coordinating communications between patients and clinical staff.
In a medical setting, receptionists must understand HIPAA guidelines, maintain confidentiality, and exhibit professionalism under pressure. Whether working in a private practice, hospital, or outpatient clinic, they balance fast-paced administrative work with empathetic patient interactions. Success in this role requires a blend of organizational skills, attention to detail, and a customer service mindset, making them an essential part of any healthcare team.
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Medical Receptionist Core Responsibilities
- Greet patients, check them in, and manage front-desk operations
- Answer phone calls and route messages to appropriate departments
- Schedule, confirm, and reschedule patient appointments
- Verify insurance eligibility and collect copays or outstanding balances
- Update and maintain patient records in EHR systems
- Coordinate communication between patients and clinical staff
- Maintain a clean and organized reception area
- Follow HIPAA and facility-specific privacy procedures
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in EHR software and scheduling platforms
- Knowledge of medical terminology and insurance verification
- Ability to handle multi-line phone systems and office equipment
- Familiarity with HIPAA compliance and patient confidentiality practices
Soft skills
- Friendly, professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills
- Multitasking and time management in a fast-paced setting
- Attention to detail in data entry and patient records
- Ability to remain calm and courteous in high-pressure situations
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Recommended: Associate’s degree or coursework in healthcare administration, medical office support, or related field
Certifications
- None required
- Recommended:
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
- HIPAA compliance or medical front office training certifications
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of experience in a medical or dental office
- Bilingual language skills, especially Spanish or other commonly spoken languages in your region
- Familiarity with specific EHR systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner, athenahealth)
- Experience handling patient billing or insurance claims in a front-desk setting
National Average Salary
Medical receptionist salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Position is:
$123,456
Sample Job Description Templates for Medical Receptionists
Primary Care Medical Receptionist
Position Overview
We are seeking a Primary Care Medical Receptionist to join our front office team in a busy family medicine or internal medicine practice. This role is responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, and maintaining accurate records in the electronic health system. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills and a warm, professional demeanor to help patients feel welcome and well-supported.
Responsibilities
- Check in patients and prepare intake forms
- Schedule appointments and confirm patient visits via phone, email, or text
- Verify insurance coverage and collect copayments
- Update patient information in the EHR system
- Answer multi-line phones and route calls to appropriate staff
- Support physicians and nurses with administrative tasks
- Follow HIPAA and clinic confidentiality policies
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with EHR platforms such as Epic or eClinicalWorks
- Ability to verify insurance and process payments
- Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Soft skills
- Friendly, welcoming presence with strong verbal communication
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Patience and empathy when working with patients of all ages
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree or coursework in medical office administration is recommended
Certifications
- Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of experience in a primary care or outpatient setting
Hospital Front Desk Coordinator
Position Overview
We are hiring a Hospital Front Desk Coordinator to provide administrative support at a medical center’s main entrance, specialty clinic floor, or patient access department. This individual will interact with patients, families, and clinical staff, ensuring seamless check-ins, accurate documentation, and efficient departmental coordination in a fast-paced hospital environment.
Responsibilities
- Greet and direct patients, visitors, and vendors
- Register patients and verify identification, insurance, and consent forms
- Manage appointment intake and coordinate room assignments
- Assist with scheduling follow-up visits and transportation requests
- Monitor waiting area conditions and patient flow
- Comply with hospital policies and safety protocols
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of hospital registration systems and insurance protocols
- Proficiency with multi-line phone systems and secure data entry
- Experience with HIPAA and Joint Commission documentation requirements
Soft skills
- Professional demeanor under pressure
- Clear, confident communication with diverse populations
- Strong multitasking and prioritization skills
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree in healthcare administration or related field is recommended
Certifications
- Hospital customer service or patient access certifications are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience in a hospital, emergency room, or large medical center front desk
Specialty Clinic Receptionist
Position Overview
We are seeking a Specialty Clinic Receptionist to support front desk operations in a focused practice setting such as dermatology, cardiology, orthopedics, or oncology. You’ll be responsible for greeting patients, coordinating specialty referrals, and managing appointment flow for providers. This role requires excellent attention to detail and familiarity with condition-specific documentation.
Responsibilities
- Check in patients and verify specialty referrals or authorizations
- Schedule diagnostic procedures, lab work, or follow-up visits
- Update patient charts and coordinate with referring providers
- Answer phones and assist with rescheduling or cancellations
- Ensure HIPAA compliance and proper documentation of consent forms
Requirements
Hard skills
- Understanding of referral workflows and pre-authorization processes
- Experience using EHR software, ideally with specialty modules
- Basic familiarity with specialty-specific terminology (e.g., CPT codes, diagnostic orders)
Soft skills
- Excellent organizational and follow-up skills
- Courteous, calm demeanor in high-volume environments
- Ability to manage complex scheduling across multiple providers
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree in medical office support or healthcare administration is recommended
Certifications
- CMAA or specialty-specific front office training is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 1+ year of front-desk experience in a specialty clinic
Dental Office Receptionist
Position Overview
We are looking for a Dental Office Receptionist to join our general or specialty dental practice. This role handles patient check-in and checkout, insurance verification, appointment scheduling, and billing support. The right candidate will be personable, reliable, and comfortable working with dental patients of all ages.
Responsibilities
- Welcome patients and manage front-desk check-in
- Schedule cleanings, procedures, and follow-ups
- Verify dental insurance and collect payments or copays
- Update patient records and dental history
- Communicate with hygienists and dentists on patient flow
- Maintain a tidy and welcoming reception area
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with dental scheduling and billing software (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft)
- Familiarity with dental insurance plans and CDT coding
- Understanding of HIPAA compliance in a dental setting
Soft skills
- Positive attitude and strong customer service skills
- Clear communication and attention to detail
- Dependable and punctual work habits
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Coursework in dental front office administration is recommended
Certifications
- Certification in dental office administration is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of experience in a dental practice or orthodontic office
Bilingual Medical Receptionist
Position Overview
We are hiring a Bilingual Medical Receptionist to provide front-desk support for patients in both English and another language, such as Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Vietnamese. This role is crucial for ensuring accessible care and smooth communication in diverse patient communities.
Responsibilities
- Greet patients and provide front-desk support in multiple languages
- Translate basic forms, appointment details, or instructions as needed
- Verify insurance, schedule appointments, and collect payments
- Document communication accurately in EHR
- Maintain confidentiality and cultural sensitivity at all times
Requirements
Hard skills
- Fluency in English and at least one additional language
- Proficiency with EHR systems and office scheduling software
- Understanding of basic medical terminology
Soft skills
- Strong interpersonal skills across language barriers
- Professionalism and empathy in multicultural settings
- Discretion and attention to detail
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree or training in medical administration is recommended
Certifications
- HIPAA training and CMAA certification are recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience in a bilingual or community health setting
Medical Receptionist – Weekend or Evening Shift
Position Overview
We are seeking a reliable Medical Receptionist for evening and/or weekend shifts to support patient check-ins and administrative tasks outside standard business hours. This role is ideal for candidates who thrive in quieter, more independent settings while still offering high-quality service to patients and providers.
Responsibilities
- Welcome and register patients for evening or weekend appointments
- Verify insurance and collect payments
- Assist with rescheduling and provider communications
- Respond to after-hours phone calls and messages
- Ensure front-desk area is clean, stocked, and secure
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with EHR platforms and multi-line phone systems
- Knowledge of basic healthcare intake and HIPAA protocols
- Ability to work with limited supervision
Soft skills
- Strong reliability and time management
- Calm and helpful demeanor during low-staff periods
- Flexibility and adaptability across duties
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Associate’s degree in medical office or healthcare administration is recommended
Certifications
- CMAA or front office administration certification is recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience working off-hours in a clinical or urgent care setting