Medical Secretary

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Work Tasks

• Answer phones, make appointments, keep files in order, and order supplies
• Record medical histories, schedule surgeries, and make plans for patients to be put in the hospital
• Work with insurance regulations, billing practices, medical terms, and lab rules
• Run office equipment, keep financial records, and do other bookkeeping
• Work for doctors, dentists, hospitals, clinics, public health facilities, medical supply companies, medical research, and health departments in industry
• Work with computers, office equipment, patient records, appointment books, schedules, insurance forms, lab requests, order forms, and bills

Salary, Size & Growth

• $36,500 average per year ($17.50 per hour)
• A large occupation (494,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.7% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A high school diploma and training in office practices and medical terminology
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree with knowledge of office software
• Skills/Courses: Extensive knowledge of medical terminology, word processing, spreadsheets, and database management
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available after passing a series of tests.