Hospital secretaries are important in healthcare facilities' smooth and efficient operations. While the position may seem quiet and behind-the-scenes, these professionals are the key to managing patient records, appointments, and hospital communications. If you're interested in becoming a hospital secretary, keep reading to learn more about the necessary skills, qualifications, and job responsibilities.
Education and Skills:
To become a hospital secretary, you do not necessarily need a degree, although some employers may require an associate or bachelor's degree in healthcare administration or related fields. However, having a high school diploma, general office experience or vocational training in office management or administrative support is essential. Hospital secretaries need to have excellent communication, organization, computer proficiency, and writing skills. Experience in using medical coding, billing software, Microsoft Word, spreadsheet, and communication applications to interact effectively with patients and medical personnel is required.
Job Responsibilities:
Hospital secretaries primarily screen phone calls, book appointments, schedule patient's treatments, coordinate with medical practitioners, maintain hospital records, respond to emails and chat queries. They also assist in registering patients, handling insurance, and adherence to the federal policies of health care providers. The position requires managing patient privacy and sensitivity when relaying medical-related information confidentially. Hospital secretaries stay persistently updated with the latest medical terminologies and industry knowledge. They work in an array of departments to answer and transfer calls and dispatch hospital transportation to assist non-ambulatory patients.
Personal Qualities:
Apart from qualifications, personal qualities such as a friendly disposition, prompt, patient, and calming personality are critical. A hospital secretary typically interacts with sick, anxious, or frustrated visitors. Thus an ability to remain good-natured under pressure, demonstrating empathy and excellent verbal communication skills with colleagues and patients, is essential.
Professional Development:
Aspiring hospital secretaries can increase their value in the market by pursuing professional development courses through private consultancy or registering for an accredited program from an institution. The courses start from short duration certification to offering associate programs in fields such as health care administration, which will lead to career advancement.
Career Prospects:
Hospital secretaries are essential to medical centers, hospitals, and other clinical settings, making them valuable and in-demand professionals. The field of healthcare administration is expected to grow, providing more opportunities for those interested in becoming hospital secretaries. The salary range varies based on several factors, including work experience, credentials, and location. Hospital secretaries can expect to earn anywhere from $25,000 to $60,000, depending on the medical institution and skills level of the secretary.
Becoming a hospital secretary is a wise career decision that offers a bright career path and growth opportunities. If your career interests revolve around health care administration, working as a hospital secretary can be an excellent entry-level position that can teach you the behind-the-scenes actions of medical centers that provide quality health care. With proper training, education, and work experience, you can become an indispensable resource to your facility, a change that positively impacts the life of others and your earnings in no small measure.