Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

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Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.

Sample of reported job titles: Clinic Office Assistant, Front Desk Receptionist, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Receptionist, Medical Secretary, Physician Office Specialist, Secretary, Unit Clerk, Unit Support Representative, Ward Clerk

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Tasks

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Answer telephones and direct calls to appropriate staff.
Schedule and confirm patient diagnostic appointments, surgeries, or medical consultations.
Complete insurance or other claim forms.
Greet visitors, ascertain purpose of visit, and direct them to appropriate staff.
Transmit correspondence or medical records by mail, e-mail, or fax.
Maintain medical records, technical library, or correspondence files.
Receive and route messages or documents, such as laboratory results, to appropriate staff.
Interview patients to complete documents, case histories, or forms, such as intake or insurance forms.
Operate office equipment, such as voice mail messaging systems, and use word processing, spreadsheet, or other software applications to prepare reports, invoices, financial statements, letters, case histories, or medical records.
Perform bookkeeping duties, such as credits or collections, preparing and sending financial statements or bills, and keeping financial records.
Perform various clerical or administrative functions, such as ordering and maintaining an inventory of supplies.
Transcribe recorded messages or practitioners’ diagnoses or recommendations into patients’ medical records.
Compile and record medical charts, reports, or correspondence, using typewriter or personal computer.
Schedule tests or procedures for patients, such as lab work or x-rays, based on physician orders.
Arrange hospital admissions for patients.
Prepare correspondence or assist physicians or medical scientists with preparation of reports, speeches, articles, or conference proceedings.

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Technology Skills

All 15 displayed Show 12 tools used

Accounting software — Accounts receivable software; Allscripts Professional PM; Billing software; Intuit QuickBooks (see all 5 examples)
Calendar and scheduling software — IDX Groupcast; Scheduling software
Cloud-based data access and sharing software — Google Drive
Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software; Database software ; dBASE Plus; Microsoft Access
Desktop publishing software — Microsoft Publisher
Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Exchange ; Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software — Graphics software
Internet browser software — Microsoft Internet Explorer; Web browser software
Medical software — Epic Systems ; Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS ; Henry Schein Dentrix ; Medical condition coding software (see all 20 examples)
Office suite software — Corel WordPerfect; Microsoft Office
Operating system software — Microsoft Windows
Point of sale POS software — Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale
Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel
Word processing software — Addressing software; Google Docs ; Microsoft Word

Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.

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Knowledge

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Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administrative — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Personnel and Human Resources — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

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Skills

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Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Abilities

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Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Work Activities

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Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Communicating with People Outside the Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Detailed Work Activities

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Answer telephones to direct calls or provide information.
Maintain medical records.
Transcribe spoken or written information.
Compile data or documentation.
Schedule appointments.
Prepare documentation for contracts, transactions, or regulatory compliance.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Greet customers, patrons, or visitors.
Refer customers to appropriate personnel.
Relay information between personnel.
Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
Operate computers or computerized equipment.
Operate office equipment.
Collect deposits, payments or fees.
Maintain financial or account records.
Arrange services or reservations for patrons.
Prepare business correspondence.
Order materials, supplies, or equipment.

Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities

Work Context

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Telephone — 90% responded “Every day.”
Electronic Mail — 83% responded “Every day.”
Face-to-Face Discussions — 90% responded “Every day.”
Contact With Others — 74% responded “Constant contact with others.”
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 62% responded “Extremely important.”
Spend Time Sitting — 69% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 62% responded “Extremely important.”
Work With Work Group or Team — 65% responded “Extremely important.”
Letters and Memos — 49% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 76% responded “Every day.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 59% responded “Some freedom.”
Time Pressure — 41% responded “Every day.”
Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People — 43% responded “Every day.”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 39% responded “Extremely important.”
Freedom to Make Decisions — 35% responded “Limited freedom.”
Deal With External Customers — 38% responded “Extremely important.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 42% responded “Every day.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 40% responded “Very important results.”
Exposed to Disease or Infections — 31% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
Frequency of Conflict Situations — 28% responded “Every day.”
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — 52% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
Physical Proximity — 60% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions — 32% responded “Never.”
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 32% responded “Limited responsibility.”

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
SVP Range	(4.0 to < 6.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
48	High school diploma or equivalent
26	Associate’s degree
20	Post-secondary certificate

Credentials

Interests

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Interest code: CS Want to discover your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler at My Next Move.

Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Styles

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Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values

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Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Related Occupations

All 9 displayed

43-2011.00	Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service
43-3011.00	Bill and Account Collectors
43-4031.00	Court, Municipal, and License Clerks
43-4081.00	Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks
43-4111.00	Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan
43-4171.00	Receptionists and Information Clerks Bright Outlook
43-9022.00	Word Processors and Typists
43-9041.00	Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
43-9061.00	Office Clerks, General

Wages & Employment Trends

Median wages (2020)	$17.96 hourly, $37,350 annual
State wages
Local wages	ZIP Code:

Employment (2020)	611,200 employees
Projected growth (2020-2030)	Faster than average (10% to 15%)
Projected job openings (2020-2030)	75,200
State trends

Top industries (2020)	Health Care and Social Assistance

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data external site and 2020-2030 employment projections . “Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Job Openings on the Web

Sources of Additional Information

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Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

AAPC
American Association of Medical Assistants
International Association of Administrative Professionals
International Virtual Assistants Association
NALS…the association for legal professionals
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Secretaries and administrative assistants

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.