High School
Most employers require medical secretaries to have a high school diploma and be able to type between 60 and 90 words per minute. In order to handle more specialized duties, you must be familiar with medical terms and procedures and be able to use medical software programs. In addition, you need to have basic math skills and strong written and verbal communication skills to write up correspondence and handle patient inquiries. English, speech, and health classes will help you prepare for this career.
Postsecondary Training
Many vocational, community, and business schools offer one- and two-year programs that cover the skills needed for secretarial work. For more specialized training, some schools offer medical secretarial programs, covering the basics such as typing, filing, and accounting, as well as more specialized courses on medical stenography, first aid, medical terminology, and medical office procedures.
Other Education or Training
Participating in continuing education classes is an excellent way to keep your skills up to date and become a more attractive job candidate. These opportunities are provided by local, state, and national professional associations. For example, the Association of Executive and Administrative Professionals offers classes and webinars; examples of past topics include "Administrative Assistant Fundamentals," "Medical Terminology: A Word Association Approach," and "Computer Skills for the Workplace."
- Adult Day Care Coordinators
- Business Managers
- Cancer Registrars
- Cardiologists
- Clinic Managers
- Clinical Data Managers
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Community Health Program Coordinators
- Contact Tracers
- Dental Assistants
- Dental Hygienists
- Dental Laboratory Technicians
- Dental Therapists
- Dentists
- Directors of Telehealth
- Endodontists
- Futurists
- Geriatric Care Managers
- Geriatric Social Workers
- Health Advocates
- Health Care Consultants
- Health Care Insurance Navigators
- Health Care Managers
- Health Data Analysts
- HIV/AIDS Counselors and Case Managers
- Hospitalists
- Informatics Nurse Specialists
- Medical Ethicists
- Medical Record Technicians
- Medical Transcriptionists
- Nurse Managers
- Nursing Home Administrators
- Oral Surgeons
- Orthodontists
- Pediatric Dentists
- Periodontists
- Prosthodontists
- Receptionists
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Social Workers
- Transplant Coordinators