Medical Reception/Receptionist
- Cost
- $1,653*
Jump ahead to the frontline
Combine health care with administrative skills
You’re the first person a patient sees before they get their blood pressure checked. Be a reassuring, friendly voice who calms their nerves while you work at the front desk.
Show you take the responsibility of handling patient information seriously. Master the ability to:
- schedule appointments
- maintain confidentiality
- navigate the complicated health insurance claims process
- use proper telephone etiquette
What can you do with a Certificate in Medical Reception/Receptionist?
The certificate in Medical Reception/Receptionist prepares you for an entry-level career in the outpatient healthcare setting and provides a gateway to other healthcare certificates such as a certificate in Medical Assisting.
See what students love about the medical assisting program at CLC. Picture yourself here:
Highlights
-
Stackable Credentials
Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials. -
Program Length: 4 Months
Full-time students finish in 4 months.
Career Outlook
-
Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $66,328
- Median
- $108,559
- Senior-Level
- $191,130
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $31.88
- Median
- $52.18
- Senior-Level
- $91.89
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 33.56%
- Certificate
- 13.16%
- Some college
- 13.18%
- Associate Degree
- 11.84%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 24.28%
- Master's Degree
- 3.93%
- Doctorate
- 0.06%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $63,577
- Median
- $111,498
- Senior-Level
- $180,352
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $30.56
- Median
- $53.60
- Senior-Level
- $86.70
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- Associate Degree
- 5%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 90%
- Master's Degree
- 5%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $60,605
- Median
- $112,260
- Senior-Level
- $220,643
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $29.14
- Median
- $53.97
- Senior-Level
- $106.07
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 8.93%
- Certificate
- 6.72%
- Some college
- 1.27%
- Associate Degree
- 5.33%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 63.38%
- Master's Degree
- 14.38%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $45,156
- Median
- $67,662
- Senior-Level
- $107,793
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $21.71
- Median
- $32.52
- Senior-Level
- $51.82
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 23.18%
- Certificate
- 0.62%
- Some college
- 20.03%
- Associate Degree
- 9.62%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 45.22%
- Master's Degree
- 1.33%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $75,588
- Median
- $112,688
- Senior-Level
- $219,194
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $36.34
- Median
- $54.17
- Senior-Level
- $105.38
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 3.57%
- Certificate
- 7.14%
- Some college
- 3.57%
- Associate Degree
- 10.71%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 46.43%
- Master's Degree
- 25%
- Doctorate
- 3.57%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $33,795
- Median
- $42,522
- Senior-Level
- $51,618
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $16.24
- Median
- $20.44
- Senior-Level
- $24.81
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 20.54%
- Certificate
- 44.74%
- Some college
- 17.2%
- Associate Degree
- 0.05%
- Bachelor's Degree
- 17.47%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
-
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
-
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
- Entry-Level
- $36,255
- Median
- $43,424
- Senior-Level
- $50,633
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Entry-Level
- $17.42
- Median
- $20.88
- Senior-Level
- $24.34
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
-
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
- High school diploma or less
- 52.96%
- Certificate
- 19.88%
- Some college
- 1.18%
- Associate Degree
- 25.97%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
-
Need help?
Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you
- complete the admission process
- choose an academic program
- enroll in first-semester classes
- get access to helpful resources
Pathway
This semester-by-semester pathway map is the suggested sequence of courses to complete this certificate.
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Medical Assisting at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This certificate is just one possible way to study medical assisting. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Frequently asked questions
-
The full certificate in the Medical Assisting program (Plan 21MA) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board. Upon completion of the full certificate in the Medical Assisting program (Plan 21MA) students will be eligible to sit for the CMA (AAMA) exam offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants. Students interested in getting this certification should continue to complete the full Medical Assisting certificate (Plan 21MA).
-
The certificate in Medical Reception/Receptionist is 7 total credit hours and takes an average of one semester to complete. Your coursework gives you an introduction to basic insurance coding. To complete your assignments, you should be comfortable using a computer and have reliable access to the internet.
Your courses include:
- Medical Terminology
- Basic Medical Office and Billing Procedures
-
This program is based at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan. Your course Basic Medical Office and Billing Procedures has an online/blended format. The Medical Terminology course is offered in-person (at both the Lakeshore and Grayslake Campuses), online anytime or online live formats.
-
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Take the next step...
Be debt-free at CLC
CLC has some of the lowest tuition around. Financial aid and scholarships are available—even for working adults.
Explore careers
Discover majors and career paths to complement and extend your intuitive interests and abilities.
Request info
Your education is a big investment of your time, money and attention. Gather all the info you need.
Get started
Start your application today—it’s free and easy to complete. When you’re ready, we’re ready to help you take the next step.