Medical Secretary

  • Medical Secretary

Medical secretaries perform administrative and clerical tasks, coordinate office activities, and provide support to physicians and other medical staff.

Work Activities/Work Locations

Medical secretaries often work in hospitals, physician offices, insurance companies or other health related organizations. They may transcribe dictation, and assist physicians or other medical staff with letters, speeches, and conference scheduling. They are also familiar with insurance guidelines, billing, and hospital and laboratory policies and guidelines. Medical secretaries often help schedule patients for a hospital stay. Secretaries should have good computer, typing, spelling and organizational skills. Medical secretaries usually work 40 hours a week although some secretaries may work only part time depending upon their employer.

Getting Started

High school students should study computer and typing courses, as well as classes in health and mathematics. A high school diploma or equivalent is required and may qualify some students for employment. Students may also receive their training on-the-job or in programs offered through vocational/technical schools and community colleges. In addition, specialized training programs are available for medical secretaries. Professional Secretaries International (PSI) offers certification and testing which earns secretaries the title Certified Professional Secretary (CPS). 

American Medical Technologists
10700 West Higgins Rd., Suite 150
Rosemont, IL, 60018
847/823-5169
www.amt1.com

American Society of Administrative Professionals
121 Free St.
Portland, ME, 04101
888/960-2727 (ASAP)
www.asaporg.com/

Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals
900 South Washington St., Suite G-13
Falls Church, VA, 22046
703/237-8616
www.theaeap.com/

International Association of Administrative Professionals
10502 N. Ambassador Drive, Suite 100
Kansas City, MO, 64153
816/891-6600
www.iaap-hq.org

Career Outlook

Number Employed in 2014 (Wisconsin): 9,390
Number Employed in 2014 (U.S.): 527,600
Expected Employment in 2024 (U.S.): 635,800
Percent Employment Growth (2014-2024): 21%
Expected Annual Openings: 16,380
Median Salary in 2014 (Wisconsin): $32,931

Salary information is located at Career One Stop

Wisconsin AHEC Health Careers Information Center provides the most current salary information available from CareerOneStop. CareerOneStop will have a lapse between when the information is gathered and when it is released.