Medical receptionist job description
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed medical receptionists about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Where we source our data
Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.
That’s why we anonymously surveyed medical receptionists about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.
While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.
Organising
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Intellectual
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Cooperative
Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.
Tasks and responsibilities for a medical receptionist
A medical receptionist’s duties can include:
- Greeting and booking patients into the system
- Scheduling appointments
- Medical billing and processing payments for services
- General administration duties
- General clinic housekeeping
- Monitoring stock levels and placing orders
- Answering patient enquiries
- Updating medical records
Reasons to choose this job
Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.
Job security
As part of Australia’s largest employing industry, roles in healthcare are future-proof. Hospitals and clinics need essential support staff to be the first point of contact for patients, ensuring all medical administration is coordinated and in compliance. They are arguably the lifeblood of any medical organisation.
Learning opportunities
There is much to learn from working in the healthcare sector, like interpersonal skills by working with a diverse community of patients and professionals. Plus, you gain an abundance of insight into health and wellbeing in general. This knowledge could open doors to new roles in the industry or spark a thirst for further study.
Enjoyable
A role as a medical receptionist is action-packed, varied and keeps you on your toes. You never know what a day may bring, and you get to meet some interesting people along the way.
Job satisfaction
Overall job satisfaction
This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.
Stress level
How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Fulfilment
How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.
Skill level
The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.
Job market trends for a medical receptionist
In Australia, health care and social assistance is the largest employing industry. In 2020, over 1.7 million people were employed in the industry, increasing to 1.9 million by 2024 on the cards.
A significant portion of this enormous workforce is in direct medical care in hospitals and clinics. Medical receptionists remain an integral part of the services provided by these organisations, and medical receptionist job opportunities are set to maintain stable growth.
Median salary
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Projected job growth
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Where this data comes from
Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.
This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report
Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.
Pathway options
Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.
Although some people make a role in medical reception their permanent career, it can also be a great place to build your knowledge and move on into other opportunities within the health care sector.
Some career pathways could be:
Junior
-
Medical receptionist
Most common qualification: Certificate III in Business (BSB30120)
-
Medical practice assistant
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting (HLT47715)
-
Dental assistant (practice administration)
Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (HLT45015)
Mid
-
Practice manager
Most common qualification: Diploma of Practice Management (HLT57715)
-
Clinical coder
Most common qualification: Diploma of Clinical Coding (HLT50321)
Skills you might already have
Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.
While technical skills to perform tasks in the health industry are essential, employers look beyond these and value workers with strong interpersonal skills.
You may have gained many of the critical soft skills required for a job in medical reception through past employment or other life experiences.
Some medical receptionist skills are:
Time management
In a medical environment, administrative duties must be performed accurately and at the right time — this requires excellent organisational skills. There are policies and procedures to adhere to, and you have a team of workmates who count on you to be on top of it.
If you are responsible for opening and setting up the clinic for the day, you need to be on time, if not early. Patients with appointments are waiting, and as appointment times are set to a tight schedule, you do not want the day to fall behind.
Communication
There are many communication mediums in a hospital or medical centre. You are required to use medical software programs to book patients into the waiting room, letting the doctors know they have arrived. You also need to have a welcoming and calm but assertive tone with patients. You need to be able to communicate with other receptionists and health workers directly and professionally.
Teamwork
Medical receptionists are part of a team of professionals that work cohesively to help people with their health. Being an effective part of this team means good communication skills, respect and care for one another. If you are pulling your weight and working efficiently, you improve the flow of work with the rest of your team and provide a better service to your patients.
Hard skills
The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.
Training in medical reception or administration provides you with the core practical skills needed for the role.
Some technical skills required for the job are:
Medical reception tasks
Medical practice software
Medical terminology
Medicare and billing systems
Maintaining patient records
Sustainable work practices
Workplace health and safety
Patient confidentiality
Conflict management
How to become a medical receptionist
-
Study
A course like a Certificate III in Business Administration – Medical (BSB31115) or a Medical Reception Certificate provides you with skills and confidence in a medical receptionist role and makes you a more attractive prospect for potential employers. Study models can be flexible and can fit around your already busy life.
-
Apply for a medical receptionist role
Hands-on experience is the best way to learn, and an entry-level job as a medical receptionist can help to elevate your skills. You can even start part-time or work weekend shifts while you study.
Explore related qualifications
Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)
This business administration course provides you with the core skills and knowledge for employment within administration in any sector and has added specialised skills for medical administrative assistants.
This course, on average, takes a year (full-time) to complete but can also be achieved in a traineeship environment and takes longer. This course can be delivered on campus, online or a combination of both. You can enrol in some courses at any time, and some providers offer payment plans.
2 providers offer this course
Medical Reception Certificate
This short course provides the required skills and knowledge for a support role in a medical centre. It covers record-keeping, using specific medical software, medicare policies and the day to day tasks of a clinic setting.
This course can be self-paced over and up-to six months, is delivered online and course providers offer payment plans for course fees.
Related subjects
Administration and assistant level positions in healthcare are in abundance. All areas of healthcare require enthusiastic, empathetic and organised individuals to complement their teams.
Some other subjects to explore:
Reviews
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
How we collect reviews
Reviews are from Australian workers with this job title or a very closely related one.
Is this your job title?
Share your thoughts and help people decide if this job is right for them.
- All
- Positive
- Negative
Fulisia
Sep 11 2021It sure does have its challenges but it's so rewarding overall.
What are the best parts of the job?
• Work environment and atmosphere • The team • The challenges and meeting the expectations • Meeting the patients and getting to know them • Growth, there’s always room to grow • Communication • Rewards • A great sense fulfilment and joy working in a clinic environment.
What's the most challenging part?
• When patients become impatient. • As a medical receptionist, we are the middle man between doctors and the patients. If a patient becomes irritated and upset, we’re not to take it personally. People generally are seeking answers to their problem. We just need to direct them the best possible way and offer the care that they require. The solution is always best handle with a professional GP. It’s so important that patient care is a priority as well as making sure we communicate it properly towards all parties involved. • I find it’s so rewarding working as a medical receptionist. It sure does have its challenges but you just need to remember that it’s all part of job. Deal with, process it and keep moving forward.
Zach
Aug 31 2021Always am motivated to be better at my role
What are the best parts of the job?
I love coming into work everyday, I am given the ability to organise appointments for people in need to see a qualified doctor which can help them on the path to recovery. Every day I am motivated to do better than the day before and perform the task I do every day that little bit better
What's the most challenging part?
Within COVID it has hands down been the most extreme time to work in this industry but all challenges come with their upsides! Time management is essential as well as good understanding of medical terminology and having a grip on that is the only way to survive.
effie
Sep 17 2021Career advancement opportunities in a fantastic role.
What are the best parts of the job?
I love working with such a great team. Career advancement is also fantastic. I have worked as a medical receptionist / reception manager for four years and use my skills every day.
What's the most challenging part?
Patients venting their frustrations at me, especially during COVID time.
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Job cluster: The Carer
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
What are job clusters?
The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.
The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.
This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.
Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?
A reception role in a medical facility requires direct contact with the public using empathy, kindness and discretion and is best suited to the career personality of The Carer.
The Carer is a person that thrives in a caregiving environment, is approachable and genuinely wants to help others.
Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a medical receptionist with no experience?
Although formal training isn’t strictly required to begin a role as a medical receptionist, taking a course gives you the necessary core skills and knowledge.
What is the difference between a medical receptionist and a medical secretary?
A medical secretary focuses on medical, clerical tasks. Although they may assist in front desk duties like medical receptionists, they are more likely to be behind the scenes in more detailed administrative responsibilities.
How long does it take to become a medical receptionist?
You could apply for a job and start as a medical receptionist right away, but your job prospects are usually better if you have prior training. Courses vary in length depending on qualification level.
How do you get work experience as a medical receptionist?
To get work experience as a medical receptionist, apply to local medical clinics with your resume, and a cover letter explaining how your experience, skills and personality are a good fit for the job. If possible, deliver these in-person. You can also apply for advertised jobs online, but these may be more competitive.
How much does a medical receptionist earn?
A medical receptionist earns an average yearly salary of approximately $51K in Australia.
What makes a good medical receptionist?
To be successful as a medical receptionist, it’s essential to be personable, have good organisational skills and be able to work in a team. Computer skills and the ability to learn quickly are advantageous.