Because they are often relieved from dictation and typing, they can support several members of the professional staff. Secretaries often work in groups of three or four so that they can work more flexibly and share their expertise. Executive secretaries or administrative assistants perform fewer clerical tasks than lower-level secretaries. In addition to receiving visitors, arranging conference calls and scheduling meetings, they may handle more complex responsibilities such as conducting research, preparing statistical reports, training employees and supervising other clerical staff. They also may review legal journals and assist in other ways with legal research, such as verifying quotes and citations in legal briefs.
Medical secretaries are another type of specialized secretary.
These workers transcribe dictation, prepare correspondence, and assist physicians or medical scientists with reports, speeches, articles and conference proceedings. They also record simple medical histories, arrange for patients to be hospitalized and order supplies. Other technical secretaries assist engineers or scientists. They may prepare correspondence, maintain the technical library, and gather and edit materials for scientific papers. Their jobs often involve sitting for long periods.