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

May 5, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Medical receptionists play an important role in the medical field by ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of the healthcare facility. They are responsible for managing all incoming and outgoing patient communication, scheduling appointments, taking payments, and performing other administrative tasks. As a result, they help to ensure that patients receive high quality medical care in a timely manner.

Furthermore, medical receptionists are often the first point of contact for patients, so their ability to provide excellent customer service is essential. This can help create a positive experience for patients and lead to increased patient satisfaction and loyalty. this can have a positive effect on the overall reputation of the healthcare facility.

Steps How to Become

Earn a High School Diploma. Before you can become a medical receptionist, you will need to complete a high school diploma. This will provide you with the basic knowledge and skills needed to start in the medical field.
Get Certified. Many employers prefer to hire medical receptionists who have obtained certification in medical coding and billing, medical terminology, and medical administration. Certification can be obtained through an accredited program.
Obtain On-the-Job Training. Most medical receptionists learn their job duties and responsibilities on the job through hands-on training. During your training, you will be taught how to answer phones, schedule appointments, keep patient records, file insurance claims, and handle other administrative duties.
Develop Strong Communication Skills. Medical receptionists must have strong communication skills in order to effectively communicate with patients, staff, and other healthcare professionals.
Pursue Continuing Education. In order to stay up to date on the latest technology and medical advancements, it is important for medical receptionists to pursue ongoing continuing education opportunities. This can help you stay competitive in the job market.

Being a reliable and efficient medical receptionist requires several key traits and qualities. Firstly, one must have strong communication skills and be able to interact with patients and their families in a professional and polite manner. it is important to be organized and have the ability to maintain patient records and schedules, while being able to multi-task.

Furthermore, a medical receptionist must have excellent customer service skills, as they are responsible for greeting patients and providing them with a positive experience. Finally, having computer skills and knowledge of medical terminology is essential in order to accurately enter patient information into databases. All of these traits lead to reliable and efficient medical receptionists who are able to provide a high level of care for patients.

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Job Description

Greet patients and visitors in a professional and friendly manner.
Answer incoming calls, route to appropriate personnel, and take accurate messages.
Schedule and confirm appointments.
Collect and verify patient information, such as insurance and medical history.
Prepare patient charts for upcoming appointments.
Check patients in and out of the office.
Collect payments from patients and provide receipts.
Process insurance claims and coordinate with insurance companies.
Maintain a clean and organized reception area.
Perform basic office tasks, such as filing, copying, scanning, and data entry.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of medical terminology
Ability to answer phones and communicate effectively
Ability to use a computer and other office equipment
Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple tasks
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
Understanding of patient privacy and confidentiality laws
Ability to maintain detailed records and filing systems
Ability to schedule and coordinate appointments
Knowledge of insurance policies and procedures
Ability to process payments accurately and quickly

Good communication skills are essential for any medical receptionist, as they are the primary point of contact between patients and healthcare providers. By being able to effectively communicate, the receptionist can ensure that patients receive the best care possible. They also need to be able to effectively manage their time, as they are often responsible for scheduling appointments, processing payments, and maintaining patient records.

a medical receptionist must have a strong customer service background to be able to effectively address patient concerns and complete tasks efficiently. Having a working knowledge of medical terminology is also helpful for the receptionist, as the job often involves filing medical forms and other related paperwork. With these skills in hand, a medical receptionist can ensure that patients receive the best care possible.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience have you had in a medical receptionist role?
How do you handle difficult or angry patients?
What would you do if you dont know the answer to a patients question?
How do you prioritize tasks when you are busy?
How do you handle multiple phone lines and incoming calls?
How do you handle confidential information?
Describe your experience with patient record systems.
How do you deal with difficult insurance companies?
What would you do if the doctor was running late for an appointment?
How do you stay organized in a fast-paced environment?

Common Tools in Industry

Computer. A device used to store, process, and retrieve digital information. (e. g. desktop, laptop)
Telephone. A device used to make and receive calls. (e. g. landline, cellular)
Scheduling Software. Software used to book appointments and manage calendars. (e. g. AppointmentPlus, Calendly)
Medical Records System. Software used to store and manage patient information. (e. g. Athenahealth, Practice Fusion)
Fax Machine. A device used to send and receive documents electronically. (e. g. Brother, Canon)
Barcode Scanner. A device used to scan barcodes and store the data. (e. g. Honeywell, Socket Mobile)
Credit Card Reader. A device used to read credit and debit cards. (e. g. Square, Verifone)
Printer. A device used to print documents and photos. (e. g. HP, Epson)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE)
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
American Medical Technologists (AMT)
American Society of Medical Assistants (ASMA)
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM)
National Association of Medical Staff Services (NAMSS)

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Common Important Terms

Medical Charting. The process of documenting patient information and care delivered in the medical record.
Coding. The assignment of appropriate codes to describe the diagnosis, treatment, and services provided to patients.
Medical Terminology. A specialized language used by healthcare providers to accurately describe a patient's health condition and treatment.
HIPAA. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which protects patient privacy.
Patient Scheduling. The process of coordinating with patients to ensure they receive timely care.
Insurance Verification. The process of confirming a patient's insurance coverage and benefits prior to providing care.
Claims Processing. The process of submitting claims to insurance companies for payment.
Electronic Health Records (EHR). Digital records of patient medical information that can be accessed and used by healthcare providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the duties of a Medical Receptionist?

The duties of a Medical Receptionist typically include scheduling appointments, greeting patients and visitors, answering phones, verifying insurance information, collecting payments and filing medical records.

What type of technical skills do Medical Receptionists need?

Medical Receptionists should have a high level of proficiency with computers and be familiar with electronic health record (EHR) systems and other software programs used in the medical office.

What type of qualifications are required to become a Medical Receptionist?

Most employers require a high school diploma or GED, although some may prefer post-secondary education or certification in medical office administration.