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Medical Secretary
What is a Medical Secretary?
Medical Secretaries are members of the administrative staff in healthcare settings. Much like secretaries in other industries, they perform clerical, administrative and supportive functions. Unlike other secretaries, they must have knowledge of medical terminology, medical procedures, and business practices specific to the healthcare industry. Medical Secretaries are also commonly referred to as Medical Office Specialists, Patient Relations Representatives, Medical Receptionists or Medical Administrative Assistants.
Medical Secretary Education Requirements
Becoming a Medical Secretary means acquiring a foundation of the skills necessary to excel in administrative roles in healthcare settings. These include a good working knowledge of technology specific to the healthcare field, including computer applications, and medical software. Good verbal communication skills and other interpersonal skills are essential, as are administrative, organizational, managerial and financial skills. Prospective Medical secretaries will also need to have a good understanding of medical procedures and terminology to perform well in this field. While some employers only require a high school diploma, earning a medical office assistant diploma with Bryant & Stratton College will provide you with the Medical Secretary education to start building your career.
Job Responsibilities of a Medical Secretary
The day-to-day duties of a Medical Secretary can vary greatly from one employment setting to another. However, there are some general duties that most individuals who hold this position are expected to perform, including:
- Maintain appointment schedules
- Greet patients and visitors
- Check patients in and out, including the collection and verification of necessary information and documentation
- Prepare and maintain patient charts, records and medical histories
- Arrange patient referrals
- Transcribe and type medical reports
- Manage telephone and electronic communications
- Bill patients and third-party payers
- Process payments and insurance claims
Medical Secretary Employment Settings
According to BLS data, secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, about half of all workers in the occupation are employed in healthcare.
Career Outlook for Medical Secretaries
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that medical secretaries perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
What Can I Do With My Diploma?
The medical office assistant diploma provides you with the skills and knowledge you need for entry-level administrative positions in the healthcare industry. This, of course, includes Medical Secretary positions, as well as numerous other positions in the clerical/administrative/financial/legal side of healthcare. Additionally, once you are a graduate of this program, you can apply its courses and earned credits toward the medical administrative assistant associate degree at Bryant & Stratton College, providing you with a head start on earning a degree for career advancement.
Additional Training/Requirements
A career as a medical secretary may involve meeting certain licensing, training and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. Bryant & Stratton College’s programs are education programs and the college makes no representations regarding whether a particular program will qualify a graduate for employment in any specific position, is necessary for attaining any such position, or whether potential employers may require additional training, certification or education. Before enrolling in a program, applicants are encouraged to consult with any relevant agency or employer with which he/she may wish to seek employment for a complete list of position requirements and prerequisites.
For more information on the health services field, visit the healthcare degree section on the Bryant & Stratton College blog for further career insights.
While these projections can help career-minded people evaluate potential employment fields, it is important to note that job market data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook is only intended to provide insight on occupational opportunities. It should not be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Neither BLS nor Bryant & Stratton College can guarantee employment in any field.
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