If you run a medical practice or busy hospital department, you will know how difficult it can be to ensure that everything is handled as professionally and efficiently as possible. Patients need to be seen, reports must be kept up-to-date, and a hundred other things have to be dealt with during any given week. That is why it is so important not only to have good doctors and physicians in place but the reception and administrative staff too.  Here are 3 reasons why an efficient and professional medical receptionist is so essential.

Confidentiality

Patient confidentiality is unquestionably crucial in any medical setting. Information can, at times, be very sensitive, so your medical receptionist must be aware of its importance. If a patient’s records are not kept private, it could cause a host of different issues for a medical facility and could also cause lots of concern and worry to a patient or their family. Medical receptionists need to make sure that any written records are locked away once updated and ensure that digital health information is kept safe and secure.

Ability to cope under pressure

A receptionist can, at times, be put under immense pressure. The nature of the job means that there may be many timescale-dependant logistical scenarios to be handled, such as samples being sent to a laboratory for testing or blood urgently needed by another medical facility. Contracts are usually set up with companies such as Reliable Couriers who have specialized medical couriers trained to handle such scenarios. Depending on the internal set-up, it can be up to the medical receptionist to ensure that these requirements are managed correctly.

Detailed reports need to be typed up regularly, so a receptionist also has to have a good working knowledge of medical terminologies and spellings.

There may be instances in hospitals where receptionists have to deal with several patients in a very short space of time. Dealing with things calmly and methodically can make a huge difference when situations like this occur. It not only keeps the facility running smoothly but reassures patients that everything is under control.

Assisting patients

From answer calls to dealing with patients on a face to face basis, a courteous, friendly, and polite manner is essential. Many patients who visit might not feel very well or may feel stressed and concerned. If they are greeted by a medical receptionist that tries to put them at ease and is re-assuring, it can make a massive difference.

There may be scenarios when loved ones want to know how a patient is. A receptionist could be their first port of call and so, they must be fully aware of procedures and guidelines as to how queries of this nature should be handled. Having the right person in place as the first point of contact can take a lot of pressure away from doctors and other medical professionals, leaving them to focus on their own duties and responsibilities.