Career Definition for Hospital Receptionists
Hospital receptionists work in hospitals and help patients, answer phones, assist patients, handle mail, file records and make sure medical offices are running smoothly. Receptionists are also responsible for giving patients information on what is happening in the clinic and checking them in for appointments.
| Education | High school diploma or GED with on the job training |
| Job Skills | Customer service, communication skills, interpersonal skills, professionalism, phone and technical skills |
| Median Annual Salary (May 2021)* | $29,950 (all receptionists) |
| Career Outlook (2021-2031)* | 0% (all receptionists) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Education Required
Most employers will require that hospital receptionists have at least a high school diploma or its equivalent. They will be trained on the job, and it's recommended that prospective receptionists take computer classes, as much of their work is directly related to the use of computer technology.
Skills Required
Hospital receptionists are required to have excellent customer and interpersonal skills. It is critical for receptionists to be professional, helpful and courteous at all times. Hospital receptionists need to be able to listen carefully and relay accurate information. Having technical and phone skills is also a must.
Career and Economic Outlook
Careers for hospital receptionists are available all over the U.S.A. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a little to no change jobs for receptionists from 2021-2031. Advancement opportunities and promotions are available to become a secretary or administrative assistant. The median wage of a receptionist is around $29,950 as of May 2021.
Alternate Career Options
Related careers are:
Secretary and Administrative Assistant
With a high school diploma, many secretaries and administrative assistants learn their skills on the job; medical or legal secretaries may require additional training pertaining to their industry's terminologies. From 2021-2031, these workers in general could expect an employment decrease of 8%, the BLS said. During that same decade, the demand for medical secretaries would be much faster than average, with 10% growth expected. The median annual salary overall for secretaries and administrative assistants was $39,680, the BLS reported, with individuals employed by postal services earning the top wages.
Information Clerk
Information clerks may secure positions providing information to customers, maintaining records and collecting information with just a high school diploma, although some specialties may prefer applicants with some college courses. According to BLS, there will be a decline in the number of available jobs from 2021-2031 by 8%. In 2021, the BLS reported an annual median wage of $37,880 for these clerks.
