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Receptionists and Switchboard Operators (1414)

Among the occupations currently in highest demand in All of Québec

Occupation with high worker turnover

The English text is currently unavailable. Please refer to the French text below.

Qualification and skills most often required

Certains employeurs peuvent demander le diplôme d’études secondaires (DES). Le diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en secrétariat ou en comptabilité ou le diplôme d’études collégiales (DEC) en techniques de bureautique peuvent être exigés. Des connaissances de base des applications informatiques (suite Office), de certains logiciels de comptabilité (ex. : Simple Comptable, Acomba, Fortune 1000, etc.) ou spécialisés (ex. : Reynolds, FileMaker Pro, ADP, etc.) et de certains systèmes téléphoniques à lignes multiples (ex. : Meridian M2000) peuvent être exigées selon le type d’entreprise. Des compétences liées au service à la clientèle peuvent aussi être demandées. La discrétion, la disponibilité, la diplomatie, la courtoisie, la capacité d’adaptation au changement et une facilité de communication sont des qualités recherchées. Le bilinguisme peut être demandé. Une connaissance fonctionnelle de la langue anglaise est nécessaire.

Reason for labor demand

La demande pour cette profession vient de nombreux secteurs d’activité. Ce type d’emploi est présent dans la très grande majorité des entreprises. Le roulement de main-d’œuvre attribuable aux conditions de travail (travail à temps partiel, horaires de soir et de fin de semaine) et la nécessité de remplacer le personnel qui prend sa retraite créent des possibilités d’emploi. Dans les petites entreprises, les tâches peuvent être jumelées à des activités de secrétariat ou de comptabilité.

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Job titles

  • admission attendant (health and social services network)
  • admitting clerk
  • appointment clerk
  • View all job titles

Nature of work

Receptionists and switchboard operators greet people arriving at offices, hospitals and other establishments, direct visitors to appropriate person or service, answer and forward telephone calls, take messages, schedule appointments and perform other clerical duties. They are employed by hospitals, medical and dental offices and in other offices throughout the public and private sectors.

Fields of interest

  • Working in an office
  • Working in sales and customer service

Main duties

  • The following is a summary of the main duties for some occupations in this unit group:
  • - Receptionists greet people coming into offices and other establishments, direct them to the appropriate contacts or services, and provide information in person and by phone and may perform clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists.
  • - Hospital admitting clerks interview patients to obtain and process information required to provide hospital and medical services.
  • - Medical and dental receptionists greet patients, schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas.
  • - Switchboard operators operate a telephone system or switchboard to answer, screen and forward telephone calls, taking messages and providing information as required; and may perform clerical duties.
  • - Answering service operators answer telephones and record and relay messages.
  • - Front desk clerks in a variety of institutional and commercial settings direct customers to appropriate areas, record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts, arrange tour reservations and deal with emergency situations.

Employment requirements

  • * Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • * On-the-job training may be provided.

More information in All of Québec

Employment in 2011 26,000
Skill level Intermediate
Average annual full-time income in 2005 27,000$
Job prospects-by occupation (2012-2016) Fair
Unemployment rate in 2011 Reasonable