Is becoming a medical secretary right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Medical Secretary
To become a medical secretary, a high school diploma is required. Many employers will accept high school graduates and train them on the job. However, some tertiary institutions offer accredited training programs for aspiring medical secretaries who wish to get certification. Formal training combined with work experience improves one's chances of getting better jobs and higher pay. The medical secretary training programs cover various courses including business communication, medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, records management, database management, transcription, and insurance claims processing. Other courses include office practices and computer studies.
Prior to enrolling students into the medical secretary program, some colleges make completion of readiness tests a requirement. These tests, which commonly test students in math, reading and writing skills, prepare them for the medical administration program's course work. Online programs, which offer convenience to those who cannot attend the classes in person, are available as well. Because of the flexibility that these online courses offer, the programs are popular especially with those who are already in the job market but wish to study at the same time. However, it is important to note that online programs require commitment and discipline.
A career in medical administration is a good option for those who wish to work within the medical profession performing non-medical duties. Working as a secretary in a healthcare setting does not mean that one is stuck in the same position for years. This is because the career offers good prospects for career progression. With advance education and experience, one can rise to a managerial position or other senior role offering more responsibilities and rewards.