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Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

O*NET files this work under Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants: people who perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Its interest code is CSE. Conventional leads at 6.7 out of 7, so expect orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, with Social next at 4.1. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to speaking, active listening, and service orientation as the ones to build. Expect to answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff. If you want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures, keep it on your list. If you need creative work with room for original expression, it may feel thin.

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.

Main tasks

  • Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
  • Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
  • Complete insurance or other claim forms.
  • Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
  • Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
  • Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.

Skills

  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Writing
  • Time Management

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You get energy from helping other people move forward.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on speaking and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CSE takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Clinic Office Assistant
  • Front Desk Receptionist
  • Medical Office Specialist
  • Medical Receptionist
  • Medical Secretary

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.