Job description Switchboard Operator in the Outaouais Region

Find out what work is like for a switchboard operator in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Receptionists (NOC 14101).

Receptionists

Description

Receptionists 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 other offices throughout the public and private sectors. Telephone operators are included in this group.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Receptionists have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Receptionist
  • Greet people coming into offices and other establishments, direct them to the appropriate contacts or services, provide general information in person and by phone, and may perform clerical duties and maintain front desk security and security access lists
  • Schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems
  • Record bookings, handle credit card checks, receive payment, issue receipts.
  • Hospital admitting clerks
  • Interview patients to obtain and process information required to provide hospital and medical services
  • Greet patients, schedule appointments, using manual or computerized systems, receive and record payment for services, and direct patients to appropriate areas.
  • Switchboard and answering service operators
  • Operate a telephone system or switchboard to answer, screen and forward telephone calls, take messages and provide information as required, and may perform clerical duties
  • Answer telephones and record and relay messages.
  • Telephone operators
  • Operate telephone systems to advance and complete customers' telephone calls such as long distance, pay telephone, mobile radio/telephone and person to person calls, arrange teleconferences, provide relay phone service to persons with disabilities, and may calculate and record billing information.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 14101), and a list of similar occupations:

  • answering service operator
  • appointment clerk
  • business receptionist
  • dental receptionist
  • hospital admitting clerk
  • medical receptionist
  • office reception clerk
  • receptionist
  • switchboard operator
  • telephone operator
  • telephone service assistant
  • telereceptionist
  • toll operator

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Receptionists in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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