- To become a medical secretary in most states, one must obtain a certificate or a associate's degree in Applied Science. The secretary should have general office skills and be fluent with medical terms (see Resources below).
- Medical secretaries are needed in doctors' offices, hospitals and outpatient medical clinics.
- A medical secretary is responsible for maintaining and keeping accurate records of patients' medical charts.
- The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Privacy Rule (HIPAA) requires that all medical information on patients be kept confidential at all times. Medical secretaries play an important role in this capacity (see Resources below).
- A medical secretary may also answer phones, file labs and records into patient charts, make copies, and obtain physician or nurse signatures as needed.
Education
Places to Work
Chart Maintenance
Legalities
General Office Tasks
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