Receptionist Job Description Templates [Free PDFs + Docs]

A Receptionist, sometimes called a Front Desk Specialist, operates the front desk of an organization, hotel or similar establishment.

Their duties may vary from employer to employer, but typically they greet and welcome guests and visitors, make appointments and keep track of schedules.

To attract top applicants for this role, we’ve created six Receptionist job description sample templates below. You can tailor these to your needs, post the job ad and eventually find the most qualified candidate.

1. General Front Desk Receptionist Job Description Example

Below is a general office Receptionist job description template that you can use as inspiration when creating your company’s job description.

Download this template in PDF or Word format and customize it to your specific needs, so you can find the perfect candidate.

2. Hotel Receptionist Job Description Example

Below is a hotel Front Desk Receptionist job description template. As the name suggests, this one is specifically for those creating a job description for a hotel or resort.

Job Description for a Hotel Receptionist

We at [Hotel Name] are looking for a dedicated Receptionist to operate the front desk at our establishment.

The duties include managing guest check-ins and check-outs, handling reservations, answering inquiries and providing excellent customer service.

Ideal candidates should have a strong ability to multitask, excellent communication skills and at least a year in a similar role.

Salary: $20–$25/hour

Schedule: Full-time; flexible availability required, including evenings, weekends and holidays

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, employee discounts on hotel stays and services

Duties and Responsibilities

• Guest check-ins and check-outs
• Handle room reservations, cancellations and modifications
• Provide information about hotel services, amenities and local attractions
• Relay messages between guests and hotel departments
• Process guest payments and manage billing inquiries
• Assist guests with special requests, such as transportation and restaurant reservations
• Maintain a tidy and presentable front desk area
• Perform administrative tasks such as data entry and handling mail

Skills and Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Previous experience in a similar role
• Proficiency in operating hotel management software (e.g., Opera, PMS systems)
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Education and Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in a hotel or hospitality role preferred

3. Medical Receptionist Job Description Example

Looking for a Receptionist in a medical facility (be it a small clinic or a large hospital)? Here’s a medical Receptionist job description template that you can use or take inspiration from.

Job Description for a Medical Receptionist

We at [Clinic/Practice Name] are seeking a reliable Medical Receptionist to manage the front desk at our healthcare facility.

The responsibilities include greeting patients, managing appointment schedules, answering inquiries and performing various administrative tasks.

Ideal candidates should have excellent multitasking abilities, strong communication skills and at least one year of experience in a similar position.

Salary: $18–$23/hour

Schedule: Full-time; Monday–Friday, with occasional weekends and holidays

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, paid time off

Duties and Responsibilities

• Welcome and check in patients
• Manage appointment scheduling and calendar coordination
• Answer phone calls and respond to patient inquiries
• Handle patient records and ensure confidentiality
• Process billing and insurance information
• Assist with patient forms and documentation
• Maintain a clean and organized reception area
• Perform data entry and other administrative tasks

Skills and Requirements

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Prior experience in a similar role
• Proficiency in using medical office software (e.g., EMR systems)
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills

Education and Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Previous experience in a medical or healthcare setting preferred

4. Dental Receptionist Job Description Example

While similar to the broader medical Receptionist job description, this one can be tailored to match the duties and responsibilities needed in a dental facility.

Job Description for a Dental Receptionist

We at [Name of Dental Practice] are looking for a friendly Dental Receptionist to manage the front desk at our clinic.

The role involves welcoming patients, scheduling appointments, managing inquiries and handling administrative tasks specific to a dental practice.

Ideal candidates should possess strong multitasking capabilities, excellent communication skills and at least one year of relevant experience.

Salary: $19–$24/hour

Schedule: Full-time; Monday–Friday, with some weekends and evenings as needed

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off

Duties and Responsibilities

• Greet and check in dental patients
• Schedule and confirm patient appointments
• Answer phones and address patient questions
• Manage patient records, ensuring accuracy and privacy
• Process payments and insurance claims
• Assist patients with forms and documentation
• Keep the reception area clean and well-organized
• Perform data entry and other office tasks

Skills and Requirements

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Previous experience in a similar role
• Familiarity with dental office software (e.g., Dentrix, Eaglesoft)
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities

Education and Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Prior experience in a dental or healthcare setting preferred

5. Salon Receptionist Job Description Example

This job description template is suitable for hair salons, nail salons or spas looking for a Receptionist to man their front desks.

Job Description for a Salon Receptionist

We at [Salon or Spa Name] are seeking a personable Receptionist to oversee the front desk at our busy establishment.

The role includes greeting clients, managing appointments, answering inquiries and assisting with various administrative duties.

Ideal candidates should have strong multitasking skills, excellent communication abilities, and at least one year of experience in a similar role.

Salary: $17–$22/hour

Schedule: Full-time; availability required for weekends and evenings

Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, employee discounts on [Salon or Spa Name] services

Duties and Responsibilities

• Welcome and check in salon clients
• Schedule and confirm client appointments
• Answer phone calls and respond to client inquiries
• Handle client records and manage salon schedules
• Process payments and handle retail transactions
• Assist clients with product purchases and service information
• Maintain a tidy and inviting reception area
• Perform data entry and other administrative tasks

Skills and Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Previous experience in a similar role
• Familiarity with salon management software (e.g., Meevo, Vagaro)
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities

Education and Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Experience in a salon, spa or other similar setting preferred

6. Spa Receptionist Job Description Example

Here’s a Spa Receptionist job description template, ideal for hiring managers looking to hire a receptionist in hotel or resort spas, as well as standalone spas.

Job Description for a Spa Receptionist

We at [Spa/Hotel Name] are seeking a personable and organized Receptionist to manage the front desk of our spa facility.

Your responsibilities will include greeting clients, coordinating spa appointments, addressing inquiries about treatments and services and ensuring a seamless experience for every visitor.

The ideal candidate has exceptional customer service skills, the ability to multitask effectively and prior experience in a similar role, ideally within the spa or hospitality sector. If this sounds like you, then we highly encourage you to apply!

• Salary: $20–$25/hour
• Schedule: Full-time; flexibility required for evenings, weekends and holidays
• Benefits: Medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; employee discounts on spa services and retail products

Duties and Responsibilities

• Greet clients warmly and manage check-ins and check-outs
• Schedule and adjust appointments, cancellations and reschedules
• Inform clients about spa treatments, packages and special promotions
• Provide information about spa facilities, amenities and local recommendations
• Coordinate communication between clients and spa staff
• Process payments, assist with billing questions and handle refunds as needed
• Support clients with special requests, such as private appointments or special needs
• Maintain a clean, professional and welcoming front desk area
• Perform light administrative duties such as data entry, managing mail and filing

Skills and Requirements

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Previous experience in a front desk or customer service role, ideally in a spa or wellness setting
• Proficiency in spa management or booking software (e.g., Mindbody, SpaSoft)
• Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities
• Friendly, service-oriented attitude with problem-solving skills

Education and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Prior experience in a spa, wellness or hospitality role preferred

What To Include in Your Receptionist Job Description Sections

You can also create a unique Receptionist job description template that works for your specific establishment.

If you’d rather make your own job description for a Receptionist from scratch, here are some guidelines for filling out each section.

Receptionist Responsibilities

Write a clear and concise list of duties and responsibilities of the role. You want to keep the length anywhere between 251 and 500 words, as this length meets the average reading time of one minute and 39 seconds (which is the average reading time for a job description).

Writing a job description within this range means you will engage your audience more effectively.

You also want to present the responsibilities and other aspects of a job description in a bulleted format. This will allow potential candidates to easily see what’s expected of them.

Some of the common Receptionist responsibilities include:

• Greeting and welcoming visitors and answering their inquiries
• Answering calls and questions and forwarding calls
• Scheduling meetings and appointments and keeping track of the schedule
• Administrative tasks (vary based on employer)

Receptionist Skills and Qualifications

You want to make a bulleted list of skills and qualifications that would allow potential candidates to quickly assess whether their expertise aligns with the role.

Some of the key items you should include:

• At least [number of year/s] of experience as a Receptionist or a similar role
• Experience managing a front desk with a busy workload
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
• Proficiency in operating office equipment
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

Receptionist Education and Certifications

While you can choose the desired level of educational attainment and certifications for prospective employees, it’s worth noting that most Receptionists (close to 50%) have a high school diploma.

[Source: O*NET]

This pie chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the graph to see detailed data.

Typically, a Receptionist role is an entry-level position, but you can also require your potential employees to have certifications which prove they have formal training for office-related tasks. Some of the main certifications for Receptionists include:

• Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
• Certified Front Desk Representative (CFDR) certification
• The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

So, when talking about a Receptionist’s education and certifications, you may want to include the following:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Additional certifications

Receptionist Salary Expectations

While some Receptionists can earn as little as $12.95 hourly, others with more experience can earn $22.77 hourly.

A Receptionist’s salary can vary based on multiple factors, such as the industry, geographic location and level of experience.

For a full breakdown of how much you should offer to Receptionist candidates, refer to our comprehensive Receptionist salary page.