How To Become A Medical Secretary?
Education
The minimum education requirement for medical secretaries is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, many employers prefer candidates who have also completed a postsecondary education program in medical secretarial science or a related field. These programs typically take one to two years to complete and provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to work in a medical office.
Some of the topics covered in medical secretarial science programs include:
* Medical terminology
* Anatomy and physiology
* Medical coding and billing
* Transcription
* Office administration
* Communication skills
* Computer skills
Experience
In addition to education, most employers also require medical secretaries to have experience working in a medical office. This experience can be gained through internships, externships, or volunteer work.
Skills
Medical secretaries need a variety of skills to be successful in their roles. These skills include:
* Strong organizational skills
* Attention to detail
* Accuracy
* Communication skills
* Computer skills
* Medical knowledge
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Ability to handle confidential information
* Problem-solving skills
Job Outlook
The job outlook for medical secretaries is expected to grow by 12% over the next decade. This growth is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for medical services, which is in turn driven by the aging population.
Salary
The median annual salary for medical secretaries was $39,630 in May 2021. The top 10% of earners made more than $59,000, while the bottom 10% earned less than $29,000.
Certification
There are several professional organizations that offer certification for medical secretaries. These certifications can demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field and can help you to advance your career.
Some of the professional organizations that offer certification for medical secretaries include:
* The American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
* The National Association of Medical Secretaries (NAMS)
* The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
Steps to Become a Medical Secretary
1. Get the required education. Complete a high school diploma or equivalent and consider pursuing a postsecondary education program in medical secretarial science or a related field.
2. Gain experience. Get experience working in a medical office through internships, externships, or volunteer work.
3. Develop the necessary skills. Develop your organizational skills, attention to detail, communication skills, computer skills, and medical knowledge.
4. Get certified. Consider getting certified by a professional organization such as the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), the National Association of Medical Secretaries (NAMS), or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
5. Find a job. Look for job openings in medical offices, hospitals, and clinics. You can also find jobs through online job boards and networking.
By following these steps, you can become a medical secretary and start a rewarding career in the healthcare field.