Front Desk Receptionist – Mental Health Clinic Position Summary
The Front Desk Receptionist serves as the first point of contact for patients, families, and visitors, creating a welcoming, compassionate, and professional environment. This position is responsible for managing front office operations, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, maintaining accurate patient records, and supporting clinical staff while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA and clinic policies. The ideal candidate demonstrates exceptional customer service, strong organizational skills, discretion, and the ability to remain calm in a fast-paced behavioral health setting.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Greet patients, families, and visitors in a courteous, respectful, and professional manner while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
Answer incoming telephone calls promptly, respond to inquiries, direct calls appropriately, and accurately relay messages to providers and staff.
Schedule, reschedule, and confirm patient appointments while maintaining provider calendars and minimizing scheduling conflicts.
Register new patients and update demographic, insurance, and contact information for established patients.
Verify insurance eligibility, obtain necessary authorizations when applicable, collect copayments, deductibles, and outstanding balances, and provide receipts.
Ensure all required intake forms, consent forms, releases of information, and other documentation are completed prior to appointments.
Maintain accurate electronic medical records by scanning, uploading, and indexing documents in accordance with clinic procedures.
Protect patient confidentiality by adhering to HIPAA regulations and maintaining discretion when handling protected health information.
Monitor the reception area to ensure patient comfort, safety, and orderly clinic flow while communicating delays or scheduling changes to patients.
Coordinate communication between patients, providers, therapists, nursing staff, and administrative personnel.
Assist patients with referral information, appointment reminders, prescription refill requests, and completion of non-clinical paperwork.
Receive, sort, and distribute mail, deliveries, faxes, and electronic correspondence.
Maintain office supplies, forms, and front desk inventory, notifying management when supplies require replenishment.
Support administrative projects, data entry, filing, and other clerical duties as assigned.
Assist in managing patient concerns professionally and escalate urgent clinical or safety issues immediately to appropriate clinical staff.
Follow all clinic policies regarding emergency procedures, patient privacy, workplace safety, and quality assurance.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of one year of front office, receptionist, customer service, or medical office experience preferred.
Previous experience in a mental health, behavioral health, medical, or counseling practice is preferred.
Basic knowledge of medical terminology and behavioral health services is desirable.
Experience using electronic health record (EHR) systems and Microsoft Office applications is preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, multitasking, and time management abilities.
Professional demeanor with the ability to demonstrate empathy, patience, and excellent customer service.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with behavioral health scheduling and insurance verification.
Knowledge of HIPAA regulations and patient privacy requirements.
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Current CPR certification is a plus.
Physical Requirements
Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods.
Ability to use computers, telephones, copiers, scanners, and other office equipment throughout the workday.
Occasionally lift or move office supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment
This position is performed in an outpatient behavioral health clinic serving children, adolescents, and adults. The work environment requires professionalism, compassion, emotional maturity, and the ability to interact respectfully with individuals experiencing psychiatric, emotional, or behavioral health conditions.
Key Competencies
Exceptional customer service
Professional communication
Attention to detail
Organization and time management
Confidentiality and ethical conduct
Empathy and compassion
Problem-solving ability
Dependability and punctuality
Teamwork and collaboration
Adaptability in a fast-paced clinical environment
Need to start ASAP!
Pay: $12.00 - $15.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
