Day-to-Day Responsibilities of a Medical Secretary

I'm thinking about becoming a medical secretary after high school. What are the typical tasks and responsibilities for this job? I'd like to know what skills are important and if there are specific challenges in this role.

Being a medical secretary involves a variety of tasks and responsibilities, primarily focusing on providing clerical support in a healthcare setting.

Administrative tasks: A significant part of the job involves managing administrative functions. This can include scheduling appointments for patients, managing patient records, entering patient details into computer systems, and the upkeep of medical files.

Communication: Medical secretaries often serve as the primary point of contact for patients in a medical office. This means answering phone calls, greeting patients as they come in, and addressing patient concerns or queries as effectively as possible.

Medical coding and billing: Some medical secretaries may also be responsible for understanding and using medical coding, as well as accurate billing.

Coordination with medical staff: Medical secretaries also coordinate appointments with physicians and other healthcare providers, ensure medical records are available at the time of patient appointments, and sometimes facilitate communication between medical specialists.

Compliance: Another big responsibility is ensuring that the medical office is in compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, including patient privacy laws.

Important skills for this job include good organization, attention to detail, communication skills, and customer service. Basic computer skills are also necessary, along with familiarity with medical terminology.

As for the challenges, these can include handling sensitive private information following strict guidelines, dealing with upset or ill patients, and managing a high volume of phone calls and administrative tasks. The role can be stressful at times due to the nature of a medical environment, but it can also offer great satisfaction knowing you're contributing to the healthcare process.

It is also worth noting that a high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement for this role. Some medical secretaries choose to continue their education in postsecondary programs that focus on medical secretarial skills. This is not always a requirement, but it can be beneficial.