A leader is as strong as his core team; more so in a medical setup. Surgeons, specialists and medical practitioners are enabled to work at their optimum capacity with the help of an efficient team. The medical staff, who is the first point of contact for the patients, determines the temperature of the room. It is much more than clerical work of asking questions and entering information. There’s more to what meets the eye. Let’s dive deep.
Responsibilities of a medical secretary in the UK
Medical secretarial services in the UK are defined by the employing management of the healthcare centre. It is based on the healthcare services rendered, and assistance required for effective functioning of the healthcare centre.
- Communication with the patient
Patient registration involves filling out the form, recording medical history and issues, scheduling appointments, coordinating procedures and maintaining patient records. Any communication at the front desk level is carried out by the medical secretaries.
- Administration
Recording patient appointments and managing the same, communicating with the patients and other healthcare providers to facilitate treatment plan, clarifying queries and concerns pre and post patient visit.
- Maintaining medical records
Keeping physical and digital copies of complete medical records of all patients at the healthcare centre is a core responsibility of a medical secretary. Private medical secretarial services would cater to a designated medical team at the hospital, or a specific senior medical practitioner, based on what is decided by the management. Since medical records are maintained centrally and will be accessed by any medical professional across the country in the future, it is crucial to maintain extensive and accurate records.
- Facilitate patient care
Depending on the size of the medical centre and the role assigned to the medical secretary, all administrative, communication and other tasks are carried out to facilitate all activities and procedures at the healthcare.
- Operate office equipment
Generating invoices, preparing reports, letters, case history, medical records and financial statements. Any document that needs to be recorded for the patient, physician or the healthcare centre for official and communication purposes is prepared by a medical secretary. Since she is the point of contact for all communication, first-hand reports are ready.
