Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

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  Career Profile

Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

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.

Also Called: Clinic Office Assistant, Front Desk Receptionist, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Receptionist, Medical Secretary, Physician Office Specialist, Secretary, Unit Clerk, Unit Support Representative, Ward Clerk, Clinic Office Assistant, Front Desk Receptionist, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Receptionist, Medical Secretary, Physician Office Specialist, Secretary, Unit Clerk, Unit Support Representative, Ward Clerk

$31,900
Starting Salary (2023)
$40,640
Median Salary (2023)
6.7%
Projected Job Growth
749,500
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records.
Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Social
Working with people
Enterprising
Business based Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

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

What key skills are needed for this job?

Speaking
Active Listening
Service Orientation
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Coordination

Expected Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

Common Activities

Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

More Info

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