Receptionists

Nature of work

Receptionists greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other institutions, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and do other clerical duties. They work at hospitals, medical and dental offices and throughout the public and private sectors. Telephone operators are included in this group.

Job duties

Receptionists:

• Greet people coming into offices and other organizations and direct them to the appropriate areas, contacts or services.
• Provide general information in person and by phone.
• Record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts, arrange reservations and deal with emergency situations.
• May carry out clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists.

Hospital admitting clerks:

• Interview patients to get information required to provide hospital and medical services.

Medical and dental receptionists:

• Greet patients, schedule appointments, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas.

Switchboard operators:

• Use a telephone system or switchboard to answer, screen and forward telephone calls, take messages and provide information as required, and may do clerical duties.

Answering service operators:

• Answer telephones and record and relay messages.

Telephone operators:

• Use telephone systems to complete customers' telephone calls like long distance, pay telephone, mobile radio/telephone and person to person calls, arrange teleconferences, provide relay phone service to persons with disabilities, and may calculate and record billing information.

Sample job titles

• dental receptionist
• emergency admitting clerk
• front desk clerk (except hotel)
• hospital admitting clerk
• information desk clerk
• medical office assistant
• office receptionist
• reception clerk
• receptionist
• switchboard operator

Skills

• Good communication and interpersonal skills are critical. Familiarity with computer software and other office equipment is needed and a willingness to learn and adapt to continually changing technology is also important. Your work must be accurate, and you should enjoy repetitive tasks. You should also be cooperative and able to work as part of a team.

Job requirements

• High school is usually required.
• On-the-job training may be provided.

Other considerations

• Some receptionists need to be bilingual or multilingual to perform their duties. Movement to supervisor positions is possible with experience.

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