Summary
Role of a medical secretary
In medical practices and dispensaries
The medical secretary welcomes patients, makes appointments, manages the doctor’s schedule, compiles and classifies patient files. She is also in charge of entering consultation reports and managing the practice: ordering supplies, invoicing, etc.
In hospital or clinic
The medical secretary, in addition to her traditional duties, can:
- type reports of operations or consultations, medical publications;
- organize meetings;
- provide the medical team with administrative and organizational information.
What are the working conditions of a medical secretary?
Different structures
The medical secretary works, logically, in the medical sector, but can practice her profession in different structures.
Hospitals make extensive use of medical secretaries for positions filled solely by competitive examination.
Clinics, medical offices and medical analysis laboratories are the main employers of medical secretaries.
This profession can also be practiced in dispensaries, retirement homes or crèches.
sedentary occupation
The medical secretary divides her time between her reception desk, the waiting room and the doctor’s office. She has few opportunities to go out, except in small firms where she may be asked to do some outside work.
How much does a medical secretary earn?
Newbie medical secretary earns around €1,400 gross monthly.
How to become a medical secretary?
Tray ST2S
The ST2S (Health and Social Sciences and Technologies) or SMS (Medico-Social Sciences) baccalaureate is a good basis for becoming a medical secretary.
Schools
Different schools offer training to become a medical secretary in 1 or 2 years after the baccalaureate.
Competition
It is also possible, to become a medical secretary in a hospital environment, to pass the administration competition. It is accessible to baccalaureate holders.
What qualities are needed to become a medical secretary?
Good communication skills
The taste for human contact is very important in the profession of medical secretary. She must enjoy contact with the public and have real human qualities. She must be able to reassure patients and provide them with clear and precise information at times that can be very difficult for them. She is also patient and diplomatic: she must be able to manage a waiting room full of exasperated patients!
Organization
The medical secretary is a very organized and efficient person: there is no question of misplacing a patient’s file.
Discretion
In all cases, the medical secretary must respect medical secrecy, including under pressure from the patient’s family.
Content updated on 07/13/2012
Our tips:
The CNED, National Center for Distance Education, offers medical secretary training.