What You Don't Know About Medical Secretaries |
 |
April 3, 2007
by Debbie Wilson
Healthcare Programs Columnist
The career of a medical secretary bears little resemblance to the healthcare office workers of the past. Automation and organizational restructuring have led medical secretaries to assume responsibilities once reserved for managerial and professional staff. If you have an interest in the healthcare industry and possess skills in computer software, organization, customer service, and written communication, a rewarding career as a medical secretary might be for you.
What Will I Do?
As a medical secretary, your primary duties will involve taking dictation, preparing correspondence, and assisting physicians with reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings. You may also be required to record medical histories, arrange patients' schedules, order supplies, and help with billing practices. In addition, many medical secretaries also provide training and orientation for new staff, conduct research on the Internet, and operate and troubleshoot new office technologies.
Medical Secretary Education
In order to be an effective medical secretary, you'll need to be well-versed in a wide variety of office procedures and techniques. If you help with billing, you'll also need to know insurance rules, billing practices, and hospital or lab procedures. Your career training options include vocational education programs, two-year business or technical certifications, and college or university degrees in healthcare management.
The New Healthcare Wave
Increased office automation and organizational restructuring will continue to make medical secretaries more productive and in greater demand. While many duties will continue to be of a personal, interactive nature, medical secretaries who understand the latest technology will have an edge.
Source:
About the Author
Debbie Wilson owns and operates a lakeside resort. Her previous experience includes profitability consulting for a national healthcare company.
|
Related Articles |
 |
|
|
| |
