Professional Associations Secretaries perform a variety of administrative and clerical tasks necessary to keep an office or organization running smoothly. They schedule appointments, organize and maintain files, and transcribe dictation of letters and reports such as case histories. Medical secretaries need to know medical terminology and be familiar with hospital, laboratory, and medical procedures as well as general office procedures. Secretaries may also have business responsibilities such as billing patients and insurance companies. Secretaries must be consistent, reliable, and pay great attention to detail.
Some medical secretaries train in specific areas of medicine.
They learn the specialized terminology and procedures used in specialties such as dermatology, surgery, pathology, and others. Work Environment Medical secretaries may be employed by physicians in solo or group practice. They may also work in hospitals, clinics, state or local health departments, and medical research centers. They usually work in clean, well-lighted facilities. They often sit for long periods typing at a computer terminal.