To become a central scheduler, you will typically need a high school diploma or its equivalent along with strong computer, typing, and office skills. In many cases, your work will take place in a medical office or hospital, so it is typically to your advantage to have some type of experience working in a healthcare environment. As a central scheduler, you may be expected to work some evenings or weekends, so it's important to have a flexible schedule. In addition, you should be able to adhere to laws and regulations governing the confidentiality of medical and healthcare information.
A central scheduler is typically responsible for scheduling appointments for office visits and medical procedures on behalf of a healthcare practice or business. After you become a central scheduler, your primary job duties may be primarily focused on scheduling, though some employers may want you to perform various general office tasks as well. You will generally not need a university degree to become a central scheduler, but it may be helpful to have earned a diploma or completed a certificate program in general or in medical office administration, and some medical assisting programs may also offer training in medical office administration. Being familiar with medical or health insurance terminology may also be useful. Expect to have to learn how to work with proprietary scheduling software as part of your job duties.
As you will be scheduling appointments over the phone in many cases, you should ideally have a pleasant phone manner and good listening skills. This can be particularly important when working with patients and family members who are in some state of distress due to concerns about their health or the health of their loved ones. Depending on the type of procedures that you are scheduling, you may be required to ask a number of questions before you can schedule someone for an appointment. Work on your typing skills, as many employers will require that you meet their minimum typing speed standards before you can become a central scheduler.
You may find that some employers will insist that you have several years of office experience before you can become a central scheduler. If this is the case, you should try and find employment as a general office worker, developing the skills that you will need to take on the more complex administrative responsibilities of scheduling. Temporary agencies may be able to place you in a variety of office settings, which can help you get the work experience that you need prior to obtaining a permanent position.