In Demand Career Spotlight Series – Medical Secretary
Our In Demand Career Spotlight Series will focus on careers in the medical and dental industries where demand for skilled workers outpaces supply. At Advantage Career Institute Medical & Dental School, you can be certified for these in demand careers in just a few months, with the hands-on training, skills and credentials you’ll need for your new career.
In this month’s blog post, we will be discussing the medical secretary position.
What Does a Medical Secretary Do?
A medical secretary is an important member of a health care team who performs administrative and other supportive tasks in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals and doctor’s offices. Medical secretaries are often the first person a patient speaks to when they call or visit the office, and are responsible for representing the physician and their practice in a positive and professional way.
Some of the tasks of a medical secretary may include:
- Answering the phone and greeting patients and visitors in person.
- Scheduling patient appointments.
- Assisting with patient check in and check out.
- Medical transcription tasks, such as transcribing audio notes from physicians.
- Recording important patient information, including insurance information. Assisting with billing and coding and updating electronic health records (EHR).
- Obtaining necessary documents from patients and preparing paperwork.
- Relaying information between patients and staff members, providing them with necessary updates.
- Referring patients to outside agencies when unable to meet their needs.
- Making sure patients have proper post-treatment instructions when checking out, if necessary.
- Obtaining payment information and handling payments.
Important Skills for Medical Secretaries
Some of the skills and characteristics employers look for in a medical secretary include:
- Excellent communication skills on the phone, written, and in person.
- Computer experience including Microsoft Office, scheduling software, electronic health records, and billing and coding.
- A knowledge of medical terminology and abbreviations.
- The ability to multitask and manage your time effectively.
Interested in Becoming a Medical Secretary?
There has never been a been a better time to begin a career in the healthcare field. According to the career website Sokanu, there are an estimated 527,600 medical secretaries currently working in the United States, and the job outlook for medical secretaries is expected to increase by 20.5% between 2014 and 2024.
By completing our Medical & Dental Administration Assistant Program, our students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career as a medical secretary. Contact us today to learn more about this exciting career opportunity and take the next step towards an in demand job in a growing industry.
