Become a Receptionist Online: Overview of Online Training Options

Receptionists are the first point of contact for customers, patients and vendors in many businesses and offices. These professionals need excellent skills to make this first contact a good one. Online training programs offer students with busy schedules an opportunity to acquire and improve their skills.

Key Skills for Receptionists

Receptionists need excellent communications skills to aid their frequent telephone and in-person interactions. In many companies, receptionists do more than answer the phone and greet guests. They are often asked to assist with data entry, general correspondence and billing. To perform all these tasks, candidates need strong computer skills and excellent communications skills. In some offices, specialized training in medical or legal terminology is also helpful.

General Training for Receptionists

To meet the communications needs of their students, many receptionist training programs offer workplace relations classes. These classes provide students with the skills needed to effectively communicate over the phone and in person with colleagues, clients and vendors. Students learn to handle multiple priorities and develop the ability to calm angry callers. The online classes allow students to improve their electronic communications techniques through interactions with classmates and instructors.
Business communications classes provide additional communications training. Students review business grammar and learn the proper formatting for a variety of business documents, including reports and letters. The course materials include style manuals and other reference materials that students can use on the job.
Many employers test their receptionists' keyboarding speed because the receptionist often assists with data entry and general correspondence. Since most online students already have some basic computer skills, these classes are a good way to improve typing speed.
Bookkeeping classes discuss the billing cycle and transaction recording methods. This training gives prospective receptionists a better understanding of the business. Bookkeeping instruction also allows receptionists to assist billing departments.
Some online receptionist programs include job search classes. These courses teach students to write effective resumes and cover letters. Instructors offer suggestions for improving these materials before students submit them to employers. Students also get tips for conducting job searches, including mock interviews.

Specialized Training for Receptionists

The more specialized receptionist programs offer classes that allow the students to become familiar with the terminology used by a particular field. For example, medical receptionists take classes in medical terminology and medical transcription. These courses prepare students to maintain patient records.
Classes in medical and dental billing teach students to properly submit documentation for insurance reimbursement. Other classes provide instruction in federal privacy laws, including HIPAA regulations.