Duties of a Medical Secretary

A medical secretary is someone who oversees patients' medical records in a clinical setting. The secretary may also complete various office tasks as part of the duties of the position. Working closely with physicians, nurses and medical assistants is expected of the medical secretary.

Education

• To become a medical secretary in most states, one must obtain a certificate or a associate's degree in Applied Science. The secretary should have general office skills and be fluent with medical terms (see Resources below).

Places to Work

• Medical secretaries are needed in doctors' offices, hospitals and outpatient medical clinics.

Chart Maintenance

• A medical secretary is responsible for maintaining and keeping accurate records of patients' medical charts.

Legalities

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule (HIPAA) requires that all medical information on patients be kept confidential at all times. Medical secretaries play an important role in this capacity (see Resources below).

General Office Tasks

• A medical secretary may also answer phones, file labs and records into patient charts, make copies, and obtain physician or nurse signatures as needed.