CAREER SNAPSHOT
Summary
Medical secretaries perform office duties in healthcare settings, such as maintaining patient records and scheduling appointments.
Career Level
Similar Jobs
Consider these careers as well:
Salary
National average, per year
$33,730
JOB OPENINGS
Current national estimate
7,279
DEMAND OUTLOOK
Actual salaries can vary substantially based on region, job description and employer expectations; does not include additional compensation. Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: May 2019
OVERVIEW
Medical Secretary Job Description
Medical secretaries perform clerical duties in healthcare facilities. Although they do not perform direct patient care, they play a crucial role in the functioning of these facilities.
The medical secretary is often the first person a patient sees when entering the healthcare setting. The medical secretary is responsible for greeting the patient and verifying and updating necessary patient and insurance information. Medical secretaries may schedule patient appointments and arrange patient referrals. They must prepare, organize and maintain patient charts and records. They answer the telephone and direct calls appropriately.
A medical secretary is a great entry-level position for someone who is interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Usually only a high school diploma or GED is required to begin and on-the-job training is provided to learn the specific skills needed for the job.
Medical Secretary Job Responsibilities
Medical secretaries may perform the following job duties. Actual duties may vary by job and location.
- Greet patients/visitors
- Verify and update necessary patient and insurance information
- Answer telephone and direct calls appropriately
- Screen and sort mail
- Schedule patient appointments
- Arrange patient referrals
- Prepare and maintain patient medical records and charts
- Maintain office equipment and supplies
- Maintain patient confidentiality
Medical Secretary Salary
The actual salary of the medical secretary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Most recent data shown.
National average per year: $33,730*
National average per hour: $16.22*
- $28,995 per year, $13.94 per hour**
- $31,325 per year, $15.06 per hour***
- $35,651 to $45,179 per year****
- $24,857 per year, $11.95 per hour*****
* Bureau of Labor Statics
** Indeed.com
*** Payscale.com
**** Salary.com
***** Glassdoor.com
Medical Secretary Career Pros and Cons
What are the ups and downs of being a medical assistant? Here are a few items to keep in mind.
Pros
- Good job outlook
- Variety of healthcare settings to work in
- No formal education needed beyond high school diploma/GED
- On-the-job training
Cons
- Entry-level salary
- Must often work evenings, weekends and holidays
- May have to deal with patient complaints
CAREER PATH AND TRAINING
How Do I Become a Medical Secretary?
If you are considering a career as a medical secretary, here are the steps you will need to complete.
- Obtain your high school diploma/GED.
- Although typically no further education is required, some employers prefer some college coursework. Enrolling in some college courses is a great next step to furthering your career.
Suggested Career Path
The position of the medical assistant is at the beginning of the medical career pathway. A sample career path could look like this:
Medical Secretary > Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) > Registered Nurse (RN)
Typical Minimum Education
Actual requirements may vary by state. Please check with your state government.
- High school diploma / GED
- Some employers prefer some college coursework
Typical Work Experience Required
Varies depending on healthcare setting.
Typical Skills Required
Common skills listed. Actual skills required may vary by job and location.
- Knowledge of medical terminology
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Time management and prioritization skills
- Organizational skills and ability to multi-task
- Good computer skills
- Active listening skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
Medical Secretary Certifications
None
Medical Secretary Licenses
None
Medical Secretary Training and Preparation
Medical secretaries typically only need a high school diploma or GED. They will receive on-the-job training to learn the specific skills needed for the job.
Some employers do prefer some college coursework in areas such as medical terminology, office practices and secretarial skills. These are classes that are offered through many community colleges or technical schools.
Was this article helpful?
@Raising Careers Inbox
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a summary of everything new on Raising Careers once a week.