How to Become a Medical Secretary

What is a Medical Secretary?

The typical job description of a medical secretary includes a wide variety of office responsibilities. The medical secretary prepares correspondence and assists physicians with reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings.

The daily activities of a medical secretary can also include recording medical histories, making arrangements for patient hospitalization and testing, and ordering supplies. Medical secretaries should be familiar with insurance rules, billing practices, and hospital or laboratory procedures.

What Education is needed to Become a Medical Secretary?

To ensure success in securing employment as a medical secretary you should have some form of secretarial training. Many technical schools, community, and junior colleges offer certificates or associate degrees in office procedures. The coursework deals with language arts, keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, and database programs.

Specialized coursework in medical law, insurance law, and biology can be a distinct asset. Formal training will foster the qualities that make a good medical secretary: attention to detail, the ability to work well on one’s own initiative, good people skills, and a high level of discretion.

Job Prospects and Salary Outlook for a Medical Secretary

Job prospects in the medical secretary field are expected to increase gradually over the next several years. Advances in technology and a greater dependence on computers have given the medical secretary profession a boost.

Work Conditions for a Medical Secretary

Medical offices and health care facilities typically are wonderful environments to work in. Offices are usually comfortable and offer the best benefits packages. Hours are regular and tend not to involve overtime, weekends, evenings, or holidays.