Receptionist Job Information | National Careers Service

---

The work

As a receptionist, your day-to-day work would include:

• greeting visitors and directing them to the correct person or department
• managing the visitors book and giving security passes
• giving information and answering queries
• answering calls and taking messages
• dealing with phone enquiries
• providing refreshments
• keeping the reception area tidy
• organising things to read in the waiting area.

As a medical or dental receptionist you would often arrange appointments and take payments for treatments.

In smaller companies, or where the reception area is less busy, you could carry out a wider range of tasks, such as:

• answering switchboard enquiries
• booking transport and travel
• answering emails
• basic clerical work
• handling cash
• simple bookkeeping.

Some large organisations and office buildings contain several companies. In this type of location you may work as receptionist as well as security officer.

---

Hours

You would usually work 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. However, some organisations may need cover on a Saturday morning or on a shift basis. Part-time work is often available.

You would spend most of your time working alone, sitting at a desk or workstation in a reception area. However, some companies and organisations may have more than one receptionist.

---

Income

Receptionists can earn between £12,500 and £19,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

---

Entry requirements

You may not need any qualifications to start work as a receptionist. However, some employers will prefer you to have GCSEs (A-C), particularly in English and maths. Administration, secretarial and IT skills will also be useful.

If you plan to work in an organisation that deals with visitors and clients from overseas, it may help you if you can also speak a foreign language.

Temporary work (temping) can be a good way of getting experience, and can lead to a permanent job.

You may also be able start this work through an Apprenticeship scheme. You will need to check which schemes are available in your area. To find out more, visit the Apprenticeships website.

• Apprenticeships

---

Training and development

You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. You may also be encouraged to take a course in general reception duties, or in a more specialised area, for example, medical or hotel reception work.

You could work towards qualifications such as:

• NVQ levels 1 to 3 in Business and Administration
• NVQ levels 1 to 3 in Customer Service
• NVQ Level 2 in Providing Security Services (Reception Security).

The OCR (RSA) Examination Board also offers a range of qualifications covering administration skills and customer service.

If you are working as a receptionist in the healthcare field, you can gain a range of qualifications awarded by the Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR), such as:

• Intermediate Diploma in Medical Administration
• Certificate in Medical Terminology
• Certificate in Health Service Administration.

See the AMSPAR website for details.

• Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR)

If you work in hotel reception, you may help your career by working towards a BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Front Office Operations.

---

Skills and knowledge

To become a receptionist, you will need to have:

• a friendly and confident personality
• a smart appearance
• good spoken and written communication skills
• the ability to stay calm under pressure
• the ability to be polite but firm when dealing with difficult, impatient or upset people
• good organisational skills
• basic IT skills
• the ability to follow safety and security procedures, and put them into effect
• the ability to use office equipment such as switchboards, fax machines and photocopiers
• an interest in the work of the organisation.

---

More information

CfA - Business skills @ work
6 Graphite Square
Vauxhall Walk
London
SE11 5EE
Tel: 020 7091 9620
www.cfa.uk.com

OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations)
Tel: 024 7685 1509
www.ocr.org.uk

Association of Medical Secretaries, Practice Managers, Administrators and Receptionists (AMSPAR)
Tavistock House North
Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9LN
Tel: 020 7387 6005
www.amspar.com

---

Opportunities

You will find job opportunities at a wide range of places including hotels, factories, hospitals, doctors' surgeries, dentists' surgeries, solicitors, schools and hairdressers. Competition for vacancies can be strong.

Jobs are often advertised in the local press, in Jobcentre Plus offices and on Directgov (Jobseekers page).

• Directgov (Jobseekers page)

You will have the best chances for promotion in larger organisations. With experience, you may be able to move on to a supervisory role. You may also move into related areas such as human resources and administration.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.