How to Be Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

A geriatrics medical office receptionist plays an important role in providing efficient and quality care to elderly patients. They are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, answering phones, processing patient payments and managing medical records. By doing so, they help to ensure that elderly patients receive prompt and appropriate medical care.

This, in turn, leads to improved quality of life for elderly patients, as well as providing a better overall experience with their doctor's office. a well-organized receptionist can help streamline the paperwork and administrative processes associated with geriatric care.

Steps How to Become

1. Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Most employers require that medical office receptionists have at least a high school diploma or GED. Consider enrolling in an accredited secondary school program to fulfill this requirement.
2. Pursue additional education. It is not necessary to have a college degree to become a medical office receptionist, but some employers may prefer applicants who have a formal education in the field of healthcare. Consider taking courses in medical terminology and healthcare administration to increase your knowledge in the field and make you a more attractive job candidate.
3. Pursue certification. Even though it is not required, obtaining certification as a medical office receptionist can improve your chances of getting hired. The National Healthcareer Association (NHA) offers the Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification, which is specifically for those working in geriatrics or long-term care.
4. Get experience. Volunteer or intern at a geriatrics medical practice. This will give you hands-on experience interacting with patients and performing administrative tasks.
5. Apply for jobs. Once you have the necessary education and experience, you can begin applying for jobs as a geriatrics medical office receptionist. Search online job boards and company websites to find available positions.

Being a reliable and competent medical office receptionist in a geriatrics setting is key to providing quality care to elderly patients. It involves being organized and detail-oriented, having excellent communication and customer service skills, and having the ability to multitask effectively. Taking the time to understand and follow procedures, as well as maintain accurate records, will ensure that patient appointments are scheduled appropriately and that office operations run smoothly.

being patient and compassionate when dealing with elderly patients is essential and will help to create a positive atmosphere in the office. With the right attitude, knowledge, and skills, a medical office receptionist in a geriatrics setting can be an invaluable asset to the team and the elderly patients they serve.

You may want to check Geriatric Speech-Language Pathologist, Geriatrics Dietary Aide, and Geriatrics Clinical Care Manager for alternative.

Job Description

1. Greet and check in patients at the reception desk
2. Answer incoming calls and route them to the appropriate personnel
3. Schedule and confirm appointments
4. Maintain patient records, including filing and retrieving medical records
5. Collect and process payments and insurance information
6. Prepare and process medical billing statements
7. Maintain and update patient demographics and insurance information
8. Handle patient inquiries and complaints
9. Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations
10. Coordinate with other medical staff to ensure smooth daily operations

Skills and Competencies to Have

1. Knowledge of medical terminology
2. Proficiency in electronic health records systems
3. Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks
4. Excellent communication skills
5. Good organizational skills
6. Ability to maintain confidentiality
7. Ability to work independently and as a team member
8. Understanding of billing and coding procedures
9. Knowledge of HIPAA regulations
10. Knowledge of insurance and Medicare guidelines
11. Ability to manage patient scheduling
12. Computer literacy with Microsoft Office Suite and other office software

Good geriatrics medical office receptionists possess a number of important skills, such as strong communication and interpersonal abilities, excellent organizational skills, and a friendly and helpful attitude. These skills are essential for providing exceptional service to patients and ensuring a smooth and efficient office environment. Communication skills are especially important, as receptionists need to be able to accurately answer any questions or concerns from patients or other members of the medical staff.

They must also be able to handle difficult or frustrating situations in a professional manner. In addition, organizational skills are necessary for receptionists to keep track of appointments, update patient records, and maintain a clean and organized workspace. Lastly, a friendly and helpful attitude is key in making patients feel comfortable and welcome in the office.

By having the essential skills needed to be an effective geriatrics medical office receptionist, patients can receive the best care possible while feeling confident that their needs are being met in a professional and caring environment.

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Geriatrics Medical Assistant, and Geriatric Psychologist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

• How much experience do you have working with geriatric patients?
• What challenges have you faced when dealing with difficult or challenging geriatric patients?
• Describe your approach to customer service.
• How would you handle a situation where a geriatric patient becomes aggressive or upset?
• What processes do you follow to ensure patient confidentiality is maintained?
• What steps do you take to ensure accurate data entry and records management?
• How do you handle scheduling conflicts or changes in patient appointments?
• How do you stay up-to-date on changes in healthcare policies and regulations?
• Describe a time when you had to mediate a dispute between a patient and another staff member.
• What techniques do you use to stay organized and prioritize tasks?

Common Tools in Industry

1. Scheduling Software. Used to book appointments, manage patient records, and track patient visits. (Eg: Athenahealth)
2. Electronic Medical Records (EMR). A digital version of a patient’s medical history, that is used to store and track information. (Eg: Cerner)
3. Patient Portal Software. Allows patients to access their health records, book appointments, and message their doctors online. (Eg: MyChart)
4. Check-In Software. Used to quickly check-in patients at the reception desk and keep track of medical visits. (Eg: Kareo)
5. Practice Management Software. Used to manage the business side of a medical practice, such as billing, insurance claims, and analytics. (Eg: AdvancedMD)
6. Voice Recognition Software. Used to transcribe spoken words into text files, allowing for faster and more accurate document creation. (Eg: Nuance Dragon)

Professional Organizations to Know

1. American Geriatrics Society
2. American Medical Directors Association
3. National Association of Geriatric Care Managers
4. Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association
5. American Society on Aging
6. Alliance for Aging Research
7. National Council on Aging
8. National Institute on Aging
9. National Senior Citizens Law Center
10. National Coalition for Mental Health and Aging

We also have Geriatrics Physical Therapy Technician, Geriatrics Research Scientist, and Geriatrics Medical Records Technician jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

1. Geriatrics. The branch of medicine that focuses on the health and care of elderly people.
2. Medical Office. A facility that provides medical care for patients and may include a clinic, doctor’s office, or laboratory.
3. Receptionist. An employee who is responsible for greeting visitors, answering phones, and other tasks related to customer service.
4. Patient Scheduling. The process of organizing and managing patient appointments.
5. Medical Records. Documents that contain information about a patient’s medical history, diagnoses, treatments, medications, and other relevant data.
6. HIPAA Compliance. The standards set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to ensure the security and privacy of patients’ medical information.
7. Insurance Billing. The process of submitting and following up on insurance claims to get payment for services rendered.
8. Medical Terminology. The language of medicine, including abbreviations and acronyms used to describe anatomical structures, processes, diseases, and procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary duties of a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist?

The primary duties of a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist include greeting patients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, handling payments, and providing administrative support.

What qualifications are necessary to become a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist?

Qualifications for becoming a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist include excellent customer service and communication skills, knowledge of medical terminology, and basic computer proficiency.

What type of environment does a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist typically work in?

A Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist typically works in a medical office or clinic setting.

How many hours does a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist typically work?

A Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist typically works 8-10 hours per day, 5 days per week.

What is the average salary of a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist?

According to PayScale, the average salary of a Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist is $35,476 per year.

What are jobs related with Geriatrics Medical Office Receptionist?

• Geriatrics Mental Health Counselor
• Geriatrics Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Geriatric Care Coordinator
• Geriatrics Home Care Aide
• Geriatrics Exercise Physiologist
• Geriatric Rehabilitation Specialist
• Geriatrics Clinical Supervisor
• Geriatrics Nursing Home Activity Coordinator
• Geriatrics Behavioral Health Technician
• Geriatrics Medical Billing Specialist

Web Resources

• Geriatrics - University of Mississippi Medical Center www.umc.edu
• Medical Office Receptionist | Francis Tuttle Technology Center www.francistuttle.edu
• Medical Office Receptionist Training Online Programs - UAF eCampus ecampus.uaf.edu