How Do I Become an Admissions Clerk?

An admissions clerk gathers and records information about people who are being admitted to a medical or educational facility. You should have a friendly personality and be well-organized before considering this occupation. A high school diploma is usually the minimum education required to become an admissions clerk. Most employers provide a period of on-the-job training for this career. After you become an admissions clerk, you will be responsible for greeting people and recording important information about them.

A number of personal skills and traits are needed for this profession. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail are essential for this career. You must also be able to work without supervision or as part of a team to succeed in this occupation. An outgoing, friendly personality is required to interact well with people seeking admission to the facility. You will also need to stay calm under pressure during times of peak activity.

In order to become an admissions clerk, you will probably need a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. You should try to take high school courses in typing and basic computer skills to prepare for this career. It may also be necessary to obtain certification in certain types of computer software programs to improve your employment prospects. Some employers may require you to have a specialized degree from a two-year community college, which often include coursework in medical terminology, bookkeeping spreadsheets, and record keeping.

Most employers require you to undergo a certain amount of on-the-job training before securing a full-time job in this career. This hands-on training typically begins with entry-level employment until you have acquired the necessary skills for this career. You will probably be assigned to a file clerk position in order to learn the particular record-keeping system utilized by your employer. This may require learning a particular type of software application or paper filing system. Once these foundational skills are acquired, you will be allowed to interact directly with people being admitted to the facility.

These professionals typically work at the front desk of a medical or educational facility to greet and process incoming admissions. Once you have become an admissions clerk, you will be required to accurately keep track of people being admitted to the facility. You will ask specific questions to gather important information needed by other staff members. This information must be accurately recorded and safely kept for future use. Admissions clerks can often advance to a supervisory position with further education and work experience.