Medical Secretary Career Guide

If you enjoy helping people in a busy work environment, becoming a medical secretary could potentially be a good career for you. Medical secretaries work in hospitals, community health care facilities, and private medical offices. Usually the first point of contact for patients, a medical secretary plays a very important role. Good communication skills and a friendly countenance help create a welcoming atmosphere for the office.

Generally, medical secretaries welcome patients to the health care facility and help them complete any necessary medical forms. They also retrieve and update medical files as well as type medical reports. A medical secretary can also answer phones, schedule appointments, and process patient payments. Overall, medical secretaries need excellent administrative skills and a working knowledge of medical terminology to keep the office organized and moving smoothly on a daily basis.

To become a medical secretary, you need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. At this point, getting additional education from a vocational school or community college will prepare you better for a medical secretary position. You will most likely take courses in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical office, procedures and medical transcription.

If you are interested in getting an insider look into the workday of a medical secretary, take a look at our real-life career profiles. You will see what it is really like to be a medical secretary from professionals in the field, which could help you determine if this line of work interests you.