Some medical secretary work may require specific medical secretary qualifications. Experience Pre-entry experience is not needed Useful, though not essential. Interested candidates may try work shadowing to see if they enjoy working in the medical environment. Special entry requirements Shorthand is useful but not essential. Medical terminology is useful for some jobs especially forensic, oncology and pathology work.
Secretarial skills are the most relevant requirement.
Elderly users of surgeries may relate better to a mature person. If a medical secretary course is completed it will help in gaining interviews and coping with practical tests at the interview. Senior positions especially in academia can be hard to obtain. Most vacancies are advertised in the local and national press, or University international vacancies. Experience can be gained through temping.