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What Happens in a Hospital Front Office?

B. Miller
B. Miller

The work that goes on in a hospital front office can vary depending on the size of the hospital, and the number of employees that work there. In general, the office includes a reception desk to greet patients and visitors as they enter the hospital, and provide information about where to go, or the services that are provided. Registration services may also be available in the front office of the hospital; patients can provide their name and contact information, as well as any other information requested, such as emergency contact details.

Certain administrative tasks may also be completed in a hospital front office, such as the maintenance of records and paperwork throughout the hospital. Generally, however, larger hospitals will have different methods of administrative record keeping and maintenance for each department to make it easier for staff members to access and update paperwork and files. There may be one central location for patient files, provided the hospital has not completely digitized this process, but these files will generally not be kept in the hospital front office. Generally, the purpose of a front office is to provide assistance for people when they first enter the hospital.

Larger hospitals generally have different methods of administrative record keeping.
Larger hospitals generally have different methods of administrative record keeping.

The receptionist in the front office of a hospital will greet people when they enter and determine how he or she can help them. Larger hospitals will frequently have a separate registration department where people entering the hospital for treatment, whether it is emergency treatment or a scheduled procedure, can check in and provide their identifying information. Smaller hospitals might streamline this process right at the front desk and check patients in here. Providing directory assistance is another common task for someone who works in a hospital front office.

Incoming calls may be routed to the front office if the hospital does not have a separate call center and switchboard.
Incoming calls may be routed to the front office if the hospital does not have a separate call center and switchboard.

People coming in to the hospital might need directions to certain areas to visit someone, or they may need to get in touch with a particular person. Security staff might also be stationed at the hospital front office so they are ready to be called to a specific area if needed. Incoming calls to the hospital may also be routed to the front office, if the hospital does not have a separate call center and switchboard. Working in the front office of a hospital can be a stressful, fast-paced job, and it is necessary for anyone in this position to enjoy working with people, and to be able to remain calm in challenging situations.

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Discussion Comments

Laotionne

People who work in the front office jobs at doctors offices have a lot of responsibility. I have a friend who helps keep tract of the patients' files where she works, and she is always telling me how a small error in a file can turn into a serious problem.

Animandel

@mobilian33 - I don't doubt that you had a bad experience in the emergency room you were describing, but don't judge all emergency rooms and medical centers based on one or even several experiences.

I have worked in the medical profession for a long time, and most of the front office and receptionist personnel I have worked with have been very professional and they have also been very good at their jobs. Sure there are exceptions, but they are few and far between.

In the hospitals where I have worked, many of the people working in the reception area were nurses and anyone who was not a nurse and was seeking receptionist employment had to pass a thorough training program before they were given a job at a hospital front desk.

mobilian33

I was in the emergency room at the local county hospital a few weeks back. I was there with a friend whose grandson was feeling ill. I know there are plenty of stories about the waiting time in emergency rooms, but this was worst than I can ever remember. Most people have to wait, but you shouldn't have to wait all day when you are in the emergency room.

One of the problems was that the receptionist didn't seem to know much about medicine and injuries. She didn't seem to realize that a kid with a high fever should be seen before a man with a blister on his finger.

I think anyone who works an receptionist job in an emergency room should have extensive medical training so they know what a real emergency is and what isn't a big deal at all.

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    • Larger hospitals generally have different methods of administrative record keeping.
      By: Sam Spiro
      Larger hospitals generally have different methods of administrative record keeping.
    • Incoming calls may be routed to the front office if the hospital does not have a separate call center and switchboard.
      By: Monkey Business
      Incoming calls may be routed to the front office if the hospital does not have a separate call center and switchboard.
    • Staff records may be kept in a hospital front office.
      By: mario beauregard
      Staff records may be kept in a hospital front office.
    • Receptionists will greet patients and visitors at a hospital front office.
      By: Marco Wydmuch
      Receptionists will greet patients and visitors at a hospital front office.