Searching

Career Exploration

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Also called: Medical Receptionist, Medical Secretary, Unit Clerk, Unit Support Representative

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
  • Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
  • Complete insurance or other claim forms.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Health

  • medicine and dentistry

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • talking to others
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Attention

  • do two or more things at the same time

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Concern for Others
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control

Medical software

  • Epic Systems
  • MEDITECH software

Word processing software

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word

Accounting software

  • Billing software
  • Intuit QuickBooks

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $38,500

Education

High school diploma/GED or associate's degree is usually needed.