Recognizing Health Secretaries Medical secretaries must be multi-talented in the sense that they are required to have administrative skills, and medical knowledge. They must be well versed in medical technology in order to enter information correctly into medical records. Medical Secretary in Private Practice It will depend on the size of the practice to say exactly what a medical secretary will do. A smaller medical practice will most likely have a medical secretary that performs numerous jobs. Working in a small practice, the rolls may consist of secretarial and receptionist responsibilities. -
Answering incoming calls Scheduling appointments Filing insurance claims Entering information into patient files Assisting patients to complete new patient forms
For someone that enjoys variety, and does not want to do repetitive work all day, this can be an ideal position. However, if you prefer more of a routine, and do not like interruptions, this type of job would not work. You could be entering patient information into their file and have to stop and check in a new patient, so you must be able to go back to what you were doing and pick up where you left off. Related: How to Handle Your Anxiety on the Job Medical Secretary in Larger Practices Working in a private larger practice will consist of more a routine schedule. If your primary position is to enter patient information, you may spend a majority of the day doing this. However, in most private practices, you must be willing to work as backup for other positions as needed. You will be cross trained with other staff and be able to do a multitude of jobs when and if needed. -
Entering patient information, billing coding is primary responsibility Answering phones (backup) Greeting patients (backup) Other office duties as needed
Hospital Medical Secretary In a hospital environment, the health secretary will have much more of a routine role. Patients that are admitted into the hospital will have records that constantly need to have information added, and this job falls to the health secretary. Most health secretary’s that are employed by a hospital spend the entire work time entering information on a computer. There may be some research involved, however the hospital health secretary spendsthe majority of the time entering information for billing and insurance purposes. Most health secretaries have taken courses in medical coding; this is an essential part of their work. One mistake could alter an outcome of the billing process; it is a very detailed oriented job. Health secretaries are bound by HIPAA laws as other medical personnel, and this is sometimes a challenge in their position. Health secretaries in a hospital may be asked to retrieve patient charts or information for a physician and without proper authorization from the patient, these records cannot be released. Essentially, a medical secretary may not always win friends, even though they are doing exactly as they should. Medical records, including billing of patients, insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid are audited on a routine basis, and it is within this department that the auditors are assisted. Related: Wheelchairs, Walkers, and Canes Health secretaries generally earn a higher salary than a private sector secretary. The education requirements vary, however an education related to a medical field is a plus for a position of this kind. There are college classes that are credited in health management records. Technical or vocational schools also offer billing and coding classes that will earn the participant a certificate in the programs teachings. The manager of health records at a large hospital started her career in nursing. An accident injured her leg and she was unable to stand and walk for long periods of time. After several tries at careers that she could still make use of her nursing degree, she opted to try health records. It turned out to be a great fit and she soon excelled to a management role, it can be a good choice for some moving from the nursing profession. Health secretaries have a big responsibility, and the employer depends on them to ensure accurate information is recorded. If you happen to work around health secretaries, a card on secretary’s day would probably be very much appreciated.
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