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 Homepage

How to Become a Medical Receptionist

Medical receptionists require strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and specific medical industry knowledge. A formal qualification is not necessary to work as a medical receptionist, but a health or medical administration course like a Certificate III in Health Administration or a Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) (BSB31115) can improve your employability when applying for a job.

Discover more about the role of a medical receptionist, find out which medical receptionist courses suit you, and the steps you need to get into this career.

medical-receptionist
  • Overview
  • How to Become
  • Pathways
  • Qualifications

Medical receptionist job description

info 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.

A medical receptionist plays a vital role in the health industry, looking after a medical centre’s administrative and day-to-day running. Their responsibilities include greeting patients, answering the phone, and organising daily administration tasks for doctors, patients and other staff members.

Tasks and responsibilities for a medical receptionist

What does a medical receptionist do? A medical receptionists responsibilites 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

How to become a medical receptionist

Prepare for a position as a medical receptionist with practised skills and experience to get your foot in the door.
  1. Study

    There is a variety of online courses you can choose from. There are medical administration courses like Foundation Education’s Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical Administration) or a Certificate such as Careerhouse’s Medical Reception Certificate — both provide you with skills and confidence in a medical receptionist role and make you more attractive to potential employers. With a lot of medical receptionist online courses on offer, most study models can be flexible and can fit around your already busy life.

  2. Apply for a medical receptionist role

    Hands-on experience is the best way to learn, and an entry-level job as a medical receptionist will give you real-life industry experience and can help to elevate your skills. You can even start part-time or work weekend shifts while you study.

Pathway options

info
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)

Explore related qualifications

Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)

Study method Online

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.

Read More

3 providers offer this course

Upskilled Pty Ltd
Foundation Education
MCI Institute

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.

Read More

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:

Business Administration
Business Administration
Health
Health
Reception
Reception

Related articles

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Reviews

info 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.

Leave a Review

  • All
  • Positive
  • Negative
Fulisia
Sep 11 2021

It 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.

Read More

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.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Zach
Aug 31 2021

Always 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

Read More

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.

Read More
Qualification Certificate (nonaccredited)
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Specialisation Ear, nose and throat
effie
Sep 17 2021

Career 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.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Patients venting their frustrations at me, especially during COVID time.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Specialisation General practice
Meredith
Sep 18 2021

The role and interaction with patients is rewarding.

What are the best parts of the job?

Patient interaction, medical transcription, feeling as if you are contributing towards a patient’s mental well-being.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Lack of teamwork, inadequate staffing, communication and colleague friction.

Read More
Qualification No qualification
Experience 10+
Organisation size 200+ employees
Specialisation Radiology
Maddison
Sep 19 2021

Love helping patients.

What are the best parts of the job?

Receiving acknowledgement from the patients is one of the best parts of my role.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Dealing with difficult patients who cause a fuss can be challenging.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 10+
Organisation size 0-4 employees
Specialisation Business management and practice management
Cassie
Sep 20 2021

Helping the public.

What are the best parts of the job?

Working wth the public and all the social interaction.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Dealing with people who are difficult can get annoying.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 10+
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Ari
Sep 20 2021

Get to refine my skills on the job.

What are the best parts of the job?

Practicing communication skills, listening, understanding and accuracy.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Peoples mood and temperament, if people want to vent to me, guiding conversations.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 10+
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Abbey
Sep 20 2021

Rewarding career that comes with a couple challenges

What are the best parts of the job?

Interacting with patients and getting to know them.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Understanding different emergencies and also managing medicare.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 20-199 employees
Brea
Sep 20 2021

Career where I am helping others.

What are the best parts of the job?

Helping people through booking their appointments and communicating with them.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Learning new skills and instruments on the job.

Read More
Qualification Cert III
Experience 3-5
Organisation size 0-4 employees
Vanessa
Sep 20 2021

Get to help people but am often overworked

What are the best parts of the job?

The best part is going to work everyday knowing I am helping people.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

I am often working non-stop and can't take breaks.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 1-3
Organisation size 200+ employees
Specialisation Radiology
Karley
Sep 21 2021

Patient interaction can be either great or not so enjoyable.

What are the best parts of the job?

Friendly patients make my role fun and enjoyable.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

Difficult patients tend to be one of the challenging parts of my role as a medical receptionist.

Read More
Qualification None of the above
Experience 5-10
Organisation size 5-19 employees
Jasmina
Sep 22 2021

Rewarding, busy environment.

What are the best parts of the job?

The most positive part of my job is that I get to help people.

Read More

What's the most challenging part?

When the surgery is at its busiest.

Read More
Qualification Cert IV
Experience 10+
Organisation size 5-19 employees
1 2 3 4
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