Medical Secretary

Common tasks

• Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
• Transcribe recorded messages or practitioners' diagnoses or recommendations into patients' medical records.
• Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.
• 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.
• Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff.
• Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms.

Most important skills

Speaking

Talking to others.

Active Listening

Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

Service Orientation

Looking for ways to help people.

Reading Comprehension

Reading work-related information.

Complex Problem Solving

Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

Time Management

Managing your time and the time of other people.

Critical Thinking

Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

Writing

Writing things for co-workers or customers.