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Receptionists and Switchboard Operators  (NOC 1414)
Montréal Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

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.

admitting clerk, answering service operator, business receptionist, dental receptionist, front desk clerk (except hotel), hospital admitting clerk, medical receptionist, reception clerk, receptionist, switchboard operator, telereceptionist.

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.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Montréal, L'Île-Bizard

View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for Receptionists and Switchboard Operators in Montréal Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for Receptionists and Switchboard Operators in Montréal Region as well as in the rest of the Québec.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Montréal Region Fair 2012-11-16

For the 2012-2014 forecast period, the employment outlook in the Montréal region is Fair for this occupation. The majority of job openings will result from retirements and staff turnover.

Since these are entry level positions, some will be filled by young people or individuals wanting to gain work experience.

After remaining relatively stable until the mid-1990s, the number of receptionists and switchboard operators has increased significantly. The stagnation this occupation experienced in the early 1990s was mainly attributable to the introduction of office automation and voice-activated systems. Now that those changes have been made, employment is on the rise because of the growing focus on customer service and the disappearance of the lines separating the duties historically assigned to specific occupations.

As these trends are expected to continue, the number of receptionists and switchboard operators should rise considerably over the 2012-2014 forecast horizon.

Workers in this occupational group are primarily employed in finance and insurance; health care and social assistance; retail trade; information, culture and recreation; wholesale trade; manufacturing; and professional, scientific and technical services.

Please consult the Québec and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.