When you are a medical secretary, you have the satisfaction of knowing that your work contributes to the care of patients. Without your ability to greet patients in a friendly manner and transcribe documents, a medical office would not be able to function. Being a medical secretary can also be a great position for parents who only want to work on a part-time basis and be with their children the rest of the time. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a medical secretary?” If you want to become a medical secretary, then you do not need to pursue many years of formal educational requirements. You may not even need an associate’s degree in order to land a position as a medical secretary.
What’s it like to be a medical secretary?
Medical secretaries are responsible for an array of administrative tasks. A typical day in the office will be filled with making appointments for patients and billing patients. You will probably have to send out medical documents to patients. You may also have to gather medical charts for patients. One of the other important tasks of medical secretaries is that they must provide support for doctors. Doctors may consult with secretaries if they are preparing to make speeches for local seminars or functions. A secretary may actually be involved in drafting the speech for this type of event. You also may be responsible for dealing with insurance companies and billing them. As a secretary, you should possess superb communication skills. You should have the ability to juggle tasks and prioritize your daily activities.
Education Requirements
You only need to complete a certificate program or associate’s degree in order to become a medical secretary. People are frequently drawn to this position due to the relaxed education requirements. Having a certification from a formal training course on your resume will help make you an attractive candidate to a medical practice. A doctor will see that you already possess the major skills needed to run an office. You can typically find a certification program in Medical Administrative Assistance at your local community college. You may also be able to find an online certification program that offers you great flexibility in creating a schedule. When you do pursue a certification program, you should make sure that you take courses in insurance billing and medical terminology. It is important for you to have a firm grasp on medical terminology in the event that a doctor requests information for a particular patient or needs to find additional information about a medication.
Salary & How to Get a Job
The average salary of a medical secretary is about $32,000 a year. Medical secretaries are frequently able to work on a part-time or full-time basis. Being a medical secretary while one is pursuing a degree can provide a person with a stable income. To get a job as a medical secretary, one should look through online listings or the local newspaper ad section. You should consult with doctors in your local community to see whether they have any need for additional secretarial assistance in their offices. You can also go to local private practices to see whether they are hiring additional secretaries. The key is to keep your options open and apply at a variety of medical offices. Look for positions in mental health clinics, pediatric offices and MRI offices.
Being a medical secretary gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you are contributing to a business that is greater than yourself. You also can built a rapport with patients who you frequently see in the office.
References
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2068959_become-medical-secretary.html