Medical secretary

In this role you could:

• handle questions from patients, staff and consultants
•  organise a doctor's diary, book consulting rooms and meetings
•  make travel arrangements
•  manage a waiting list of patients
•  update patient records and deal with confidential information
•  send samples for medical testing and record the results
•  type letters, clinical reports, minutes of meetings and do filing
•  monitor an office budget and deal with invoices

• administration skills
• customer service skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to work well with others
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly

With experience, you could manage a team of secretaries in a large organisation.

With further training, you could become an administration manager, office manager or GP practice manager.

You could also move into roles in finance or HR.