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Medical Receptionist

Do you want to become a Medical Receptionist? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

A medical receptionist is usually the first person a patient or hospital visitor sees when they visit a doctor, health centre or hospital.

The work may include:

• greeting patients when they arrive, checking their details against the list of  appointments that day, or recording their details if the patient has arrived without an appointment - this could be in writing or on a computer
• filing medical records
• arranging future appointments for patients
• dealing with incoming mail
• taking requests for repeat prescriptions and recording requests for home visits.

Most medical receptionists work 37.5 hours a week. As some GP practices have evening and weekend surgeries, they may be expected to work one or more evenings a week, or to work shifts. Receptionists working in out-of-hours centres work evenings, nights and at weekends. In hospitals, they may work shifts. Part-time work and job shares are possible. Medical receptionists usually sit behind a reception desk in a warm, clean and well-lit environment.

Salaries for medical receptionists in the NHS range from around £11,879 to £14,730 a year.

Medical receptionists should:

• have a friendly and sympathetic manner
• be calm, confident and well organised
• have strong team-working and communication skills
• be interested in working with people
• have a general interest in health issues.

Employment opportunities exist throughout the UK. Medical receptionists work on the reception desks of hospitals, GP practices, out-of-hours centres and health centres. There are also some opportunities in private healthcare companies and in the occupational health departments of large organisations, such as the police force.

There are no formal entry requirements, although employers are increasingly looking for candidates with GCSEs/S grades, or equivalent qualifications. There is no upper age limit for entry.

Training is given on the job. Some medical receptionists may decide to study for the qualifications offered by the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists.

Promotion may be possible to a supervisory or managerial role. Some receptionists may move into other administrative roles in a healthcare environment.

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