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1414 Receptionists and Switchboard Operators

Receptionists and switchboard operators greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other establishments, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and perform other clerical duties. They are employed by hospitals, medical and dental offices and in other offices throughout the public and private sectors.

Example Titles

admitting clerk
answering service operator
business receptionist
dental receptionist
front desk clerk (except hotel)
hospital admitting clerk
medical receptionist
reception clerk
receptionist
switchboard operator
telereceptionist

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Main duties

The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:

• Receptionists greet people coming into offices and other establishments, direct them to the appropriate contacts or services, and provide information in person and by phone and may perform clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists.
• Hospital admitting clerks interview patients to obtain and process information required to provide hospital and medical services.
• Medical and dental receptionists greet patients, schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas.
• Switchboard operators operate a telephone system or switchboard to answer, screen and forward telephone calls, taking messages and providing information as required; and may perform clerical duties.
• Answering service operators answer telephones and record and relay messages.
• Front desk clerks in a variety of institutional and commercial settings direct customers to appropriate areas, record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts, arrange tour reservations and deal with emergency situations.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.

• On-the-job training may be provided.

Additional information

• Some receptionists are required to be bilingual or multilingual to perform their duties.

Classified elsewhere

• Customer Service, Information and Related Clerks (1453)
• Hotel Front Desk Clerks (6435)
• Receptionist supervisors (in 1211 Supervisors, General Office and Administrative Support Clerks)
• Telephone Operators (1424)