Find Trade Colleges
What is a Medical Secretary?
Medical Secretary Definition 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.
Life As a Medical Secretary: What Do They Do?
- Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
- Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms.
- Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
- Prepare correspondence or assist physicians or medical scientists with preparation of reports, speeches, articles, or conference proceedings.
- Perform various clerical or administrative functions, such as ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies.
- Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every Medical Secretary Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Medical Secretaries say are important on the job.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Types of Medical Secretary
- Psychiatric Secretary
- Ward Secretary
- Ward Clerk
- Guest Service Representative
- Patient Coordinator
Medical Secretary Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 574,200 jobs in the United States for Medical Secretary. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 22.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 129,000 new jobs for Medical Secretary by 2026. The BLS estimates 80,800 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Medical Secretary are Arizona, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Medical Secretary
Medical Secretaries make between $25,390 and $51,890 a year.
Medical Secretaries who work in District of Columbia, Minnesota, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Medical Secretaries in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,050 |
| Alaska | $40,820 |
| Arizona | $36,110 |
| Arkansas | $32,380 |
| California | $42,900 |
| Colorado | $38,890 |
| Connecticut | $42,270 |
| Delaware | $37,110 |
| District of Columbia | $50,370 |
| Florida | $33,520 |
| Georgia | $35,060 |
| Hawaii | $42,010 |
| Idaho | $34,270 |
| Illinois | $36,320 |
| Indiana | $35,030 |
| Iowa | $35,860 |
| Kansas | $34,280 |
| Kentucky | $32,220 |
| Louisiana | $30,660 |
| Maine | $34,390 |
| Maryland | $39,200 |
| Massachusetts | $43,450 |
| Michigan | $35,370 |
| Minnesota | $42,750 |
| Mississippi | $30,760 |
| Missouri | $34,270 |
| Montana | $32,540 |
| Nebraska | $34,160 |
| Nevada | $37,440 |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 |
| New Jersey | $42,670 |
| New Mexico | $32,680 |
| New York | $40,850 |
| North Carolina | $33,790 |
| North Dakota | $37,790 |
| Ohio | $34,450 |
| Oklahoma | $32,080 |
| Oregon | $40,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,550 |
| Rhode Island | $38,160 |
| South Carolina | $35,250 |
| South Dakota | $35,380 |
| Tennessee | $32,720 |
| Texas | $34,150 |
| Utah | $33,090 |
| Vermont | $39,440 |
| Virginia | $37,940 |
| Washington | $42,680 |
| West Virginia | $30,270 |
| Wisconsin | $35,830 |
| Wyoming | $34,760 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Medical Secretaries
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Medical Secretaries:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Microsoft Publisher
- Google Docs
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MEDITECH software
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Graphics software
How to Become a Medical Secretary
Individuals working as a Medical Secretary have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become a Medical Secretary?
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.