A Virtual Receptionist vs. Hired Receptionist
If you own or manage a medical practice, you may be unsure about the difference between using a receptionist that you hire in-house versus a virtual one. Don’t they do the same thing? Will one cost more than the other? How do I decide? So, to help you answer some questions, here is a rundown of the similarities and differences between the two. Hopefully, it will make it easier to understand how partnering with a medical answering service can benefit your business.
How Is a Virtual And Traditional Receptionist Similar?
A virtual and on-site receptionist will handle many essential administrative duties for your medical practice. They will include scheduling appointments, giving out general information, taking messages, and offering customer service.
Both types of receptionists will also greet your callers in a customized manner. For example, they will answer your phones with the name of your practice and whatever other message you choose.
The Differences Between a Virtual and Hired Receptionist
These two types of receptionists vary widely in their availability and few specialized services.
A hired receptionist is generally a full-time employee who works 40 hours per week. Concerning your business, it means that they will be available to answer the calls during office hours. As for the rest, you would have to pay them overtime or hire someone else. Your receptionist would also be entitled to breaks, sick time, and vacations. For all those times, you will need to cover with other staff.
However, a virtual receptionist would be available to answer your phones whenever you need them. You could choose a few hours a day, after hours, on weekends, or around the clock. There would always be someone available to answer your calls, so you don’t have to worry about finding coverage. When needed, a virtual receptionist can also provide some particular service to your practice, such as bilingual English-Spanish support.
The Benefits of Using a Virtual Receptionist For Your Medical Practice
There are several benefits to choosing a virtual receptionist over a traditional one. The first one is cost. When you have a full-time employee, you pay their salary and payroll taxes and benefits. In addition, you may also have to absorb extra charges such as overtime. With a virtual receptionist, you only pay for your services and avoid these costly overhead expenses.
The other benefit of using a virtual receptionist is reliability and consistency. Even if you have the best traditional receptionist on staff, they can’t be there around the clock. This office position tends to have a fair amount of turnover, which is one more burden on your practice. When you use a medical answering service with a virtual receptionist, there will always be someone available to answer the calls, giving your patients the ultimate level of accessibility to your services.
Having a full-time receptionist might initially seem like the right move for your medical practice, but many businesses are finding that this isn’t the case. Considering the benefits a virtual receptionist can provide, you may want to consider this option before filling the position. Even if you do have someone on staff, a virtual receptionist service can fill in when you have a need.
If you would like more information, contact Answering365 at 888-588-9800. We are confident that our virtual receptionist and medical answering service can benefit your healthcare practice. Call us for a free consultation!
