ANSWERS: 1
  • Medical secretaries are the support staff for hospitals, physician offices and other health care organizations. The role of a medical secretary is multi-faceted, and responsibilities vary based on the setting.

    Functions

    General business functions may include answering the telephone, placing orders with vendors, writing and editing correspondence and filing.

    Tracking Credentials

    Tracking and reporting medical staff and clinician credentials and licenses may also fall under a medical secretary's responsibilities. This includes reporting to the appropriate association on the staff's continuing education.

    Clinical Assistance

    Medical secretaries provide clinical assistance, such as managing patient information, reporting to clinicians on laboratory and test results and scheduling patient procedures.

    Transcribing

    Transcribing, or typing, reports that are dictated by physicians and clinicians is often included in this job description. In addition, she transcribes non-medical correspondence from the physician.

    Billing

    Medical secretaries working in a physician's office may perform the coding and billing functions. This means assigning codes to patient diagnoses and procedures, completing insurance claim forms and submitting them for payment. She may also perform the accounting functions.

    Management

    In some cases, a medical secretary in a physician or clinician office may also serve as the business office manager, overseeing staff and coordinating schedules.

    Source:

    United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: 2010 Occupational Outlook Handbook

    More Information:

    Association of Health Care Administrative Assistants

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